Tactics

As this bizarre season crosses its midpoint, Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool appears in trouble. The side is yet to score in the league this month and have surrendered first spot in the league to Manchester United, who are almost certainly set to be usurped by Manchester City. As readers of this series will no doubt...

On Monday night the Champions travelled down to St Mary's to face a depleted Southampton side, who were without a number of key players, such as Alex McCarthy, Oriol Romeu and Ché Adams. The Saints lined up in a 4-4-2, in which they looked to press Liverpool's backline. Ralph Hassenhutl's team were also instructed to...

After an extremely disappointing match against West Bromwich Albion at home, Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool travelled up to Tyneside, to face Newcastle. Liverpool, as usual, set up in a 4-3-3 Ahead of Alisson was Alexander-Arnold, Nat Philips, Fabinho and Robertson. The midfield featured Jones, Henderson and Milner, whilst the front three comprised Salah, Firmino and Mané. Newcastle set...

This extraordinary season continues to surprise us all. On Thursday night, Spurs travelled to Anfield, atop the Premier League. Notwithstanding the champions' 65 match unbeaten run in the league at home, Anfield has been a particularly unwelcoming place for the visitors in recent years. Especially for their manager, José Mourinho, a man who has...

After last week's home defeat to Atalanta - Liverpool's twelfth loss at Anfield in the European Cup/Champions League - Group D was suddenly fraught with unexpected possibilities. Jürgen Klopp's men, amidst a biblical injury crisis, needed to settle their European affairs as soon as possible, but given the nature of recent performances and the...

Before looking at tactics I think it's important to preface any tactical discussion within the unique circumstances players, managers and clubs find themselves in, especially Liverpool FC. Jürgen Klopp's team is currently in the midst of a season in which their pre-season was disrupted, their transfer plans unexpectedly affected and in which games are being...

With injuries aplenty following the international break and a deluge of fixtures awaiting Jürgen Klopp's red men, an acceptable result seemed more important than a strong performance. With Salah, Alexander-Arnold and Thiago all unavailable, the champions were without their three best creative players, leaving the creative burden upon a midfield and forward line that has...

Despite both clubs' European pedigree, the last competitive game between these two sides was played back in the time of Bill Shankly. Much has changed since then. Nonetheless, football is still football, and tactics are the gameplans employed by managers to produce a particular outcome. These gameplans are often the product of the manager's...

Liverpool's goalless draw against Everton back in June - the first game of the restarted league season - was an intriguing affair in which Everton posed a number of tactical questions to Liverpool, and was able to slow down the red juggernaut. With Ancelotti's coaching clearly making a difference to Everton's performance, this game...

Before the worldwide coronavirus pandemic ground the Premier League season to what we are assured is a temporary halt, Liverpool looked set to win the league title at a canter. Winning 27 out of their 29 games, the Reds — who have beaten every other team in the league on their remarkable run — find...