Curtis Jones and Trent Alexander-Arnold: Pressing Icons
Under Pressure Podcast Hails Reds' Pressing Evolution
Liverpool FC, under the stewardship of Jurgen Klopp, are experiencing a remarkable return to form, having won seven consecutive games in the Premier League. The reasons for this success are varied, but three key factors seem to stand out: the pressing tactics deployed by Klopp, the emergence of young star Curtis Jones, and the sublime form of Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Simon Brundish: "Curtis Jones is a revelation. His pressing, his movement, his understanding of …
The truth about Thiago and his pressing
The arrival of Thiago was supposed to give Liverpool a Plan B. The fear was that the opposition would soon find a way to limit the influence of the full-backs and that the Reds might get found out. However, injuries and Covid robbed Jurgen Klopp of his No.6 for the best part of half of the season. To complicate things even further, Thiago’s involvement with the first-team coincides with the Reds having their worst run of form under the German …
Analysis: Is the Liverpool press failing?
Liverpool's success since the appointment of Jurgen Klopp has been built around the press. Initially, it was full-throttle, relentless and tiring to watch. But as the team evolved, so did the press. Their approach was more meticulous, their approach was more intelligent and they seemed to take a more measured approach to it all.
It made sense. The Reds weren't having to press as often because they now dominated the ball. However, as soon as there was a turnover they'd …
Why Liverpool were excellent on and off the ball against Bournemouth
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp explained why he was very happy with almost all aspects of his team's performance in their 3-0 Premier League win over Bournemouth on Saturday.
Many fans and pundits alike had commented that The Reds looked leggy and lethargic in recent weeks and lacked the urgency to regain possession when the opposition had the ball.
Thankfully, Liverpool displayed a masterful pressing performance against Bournemouth (all AI:Pro customers can listen here to an in-depth review of the game …
Explaining Liverpool's Pressing Against Manchester City
In Liverpool’s most recent contest, The Reds achieved a 0-0 draw at home to title rivals, Manchester City. The match was cagey, conservative and respectful, and despite Liverpool restricting City to just two shots on target, some viewers weren’t happy with the home side's work without the ball. The main viewer that I’m referencing here is Sky’s co-commentator on the day, Gary Neville, as he spent large portions of the match pointing out that Liverpool ‘weren’t right’, and that they …
Breaking down the Sum of Liverpool's Parts - Part 2
Any back-line - let alone the back-five of Liverpool's - will face adversities in the form of the high initial press in trying to lay the foundation for attacks. Jürgen Klopp's system for Liverpool works in a multitude of ways in order to overcome these adversities as mentioned in Part 1 here, but nevertheless, football is still a team game.
It goes without saying that the five players in the aforementioned positions - both centre-backs, the full-backs, as well as the …
Spurs 1 Liverpool 1 - Pressing Stats Analysis
Liverpool's third Premier League game of the season ended in a frustrating draw as the Reds rued missed chances whilst being on top in the first half and bemoaned poor defending once again which cost them the three points at White Hart Lane.
As always the Anfield Index Under Pressure team analysed the game covering at on-ball and off-ball statistics. They discussed the good and the bad from the game as well as the Daniel Sturridge predicament too. You can listen …
Sadio Mane at RB Salzburg: A Reflection of the Future?
Liverpool have signed Sadio Mane this week, continuing the trend of shopping on the South Coast. The reported fee has ranged between 30 million pounds to 36 million pounds depending on whom you would want to believe. It is a valid question whether the question is of great significance in that if you have stumped up 30 million, 2 or 4 million more should not be the point of focus.
What should be the point of focus is the role …
Villarreal Vs. Liverpool | In-Depth Tactical Preview
Based in the tiny City of Vila-Real in the Comunitat Valenciana on the East Coast of Spain, Villarreal have arguably been the 21st century’s biggest football over-achievers. With a stadium that could fit half the city’s population, the club captivated the football world back in 2006 when they reached the Champions League semi-final with a team including the likes of Senna, Riquelme and Forlan. The Yellow Submarine, as they’re known in Spain (I imagine to the delight of British tabloid …
Guess Who's Back ...Back Again: Liverpool FC
No, the title isn't autobiographical; although admittedly, it has been quite a while since my last piece for Anfield Index. What am I on about then? Well, I think it's pretty obvious; I'm sure you'll agree, it's time to talk about the resurgence of Liverpool FC.
Days before the first leg of the Borussia Dortmund quarter final, I found myself quite perturbed, somewhat pissed off, and fairly bemused at what I was hearing, and reading, from some, on how the …