Tactics

Daniel Rhodes hosts Ray Power, a UEFA A license coach, academy manager in the UK, Africa and Ireland as well as prolific tactics author. Topics include: Some background about Ray, and how he got into football coaching.  Tactical analysis requires an understanding of the four phases of the game: what are they and why are they so important? Where did Klopp start tactically, and have these four phases always been crucial to his teams? Alongside tactics, how important is his man management and what does it involve? Are these just intangibles we can’t measure? Or even copy. Who were the best man managers?

Daniel Rhodes hosts Hamzah Khalique-Loonat to look back at two away wins as well as two impressive performances, topics include: The shock Minamino news that he will sign in January if he passes his medical. Continuation of the rotation theme versus Bournemouth, and how did Klopp intend for his team to set up? Did Eddie Howe adjust anything to deal with our specific threats? Was any of it effective before Nathan Ake went off? The Reds start to run riot What tactics did we employ to do this so effectively? All three goals discussed Game killed off early with a cameo for Curtis Jones The line-ups in the Salzburg game & and the key areas to consider The home team starts the brightest but it is Mo Salah who has the first of many big chances in the game for Liverpool (seven) Did they start to commit too many players forward in search of a goal, and is it the only way they can play? Salah ending up with 2.1 xG & xA combined! Naby manages to open the scoring, assisted by Mane and calming the Reds’ nerves Mo seals the deal with a moment of magic.

Daniel Rhodes hosts Hamzah Khalique-Loonat to analyse the crazy derby victory, topics include:  The rotation by Klopp, and the potential reasons to do it for the Merseyside Derby. How effective was the tactical set up? Two superb early goals helped to settle the nerves, how much was down to the tactics of either side? Who was at fault, if anyone, for Everton’s opening goal? The perfect Lovren pass, the perfect Origi control and finish. Lovren’s last-ditch intervention with Everton likely to score. Counter-attacking brilliance for the fourth goal. Everton hit back again, Klopp is furious. After half-time the game is fairly quiet until Henderson comes on and plays another cracking over-the-top through ball for Mane, who should score after his Divock-esque control. Another Henderson through ball, another Mane big chance missed. Wijnaldum secures a five star victory over the Toffees.

Daniel Rhodes hosts Hamzah Khalique-Loonat to discuss the win at Crystal Palace and the frustrating draw against Napoli at Anfield, topics include:  Team selection against the Italian side. Any concerns? The first 20 mins: who was controlling the game. Fabinho injury, how did we adapt? Napoli score, should it have been allowed, and could we have reacted better to the potential foul on Van Dijk. The Reds’ response until half-time and just after.Gomez goes off, does The Ox have an impact? Lovren’s goal, should it have been allowed? Why was the attack seemingly nullified? Our problem, or Napoli’s excellence? Hodgson vs Klopp - expected line-ups from both? How bad were Liverpool in the first half? Were they fortunate to go in level? Any tactical switches after the break? Mane’s goal was vital, and helped us control the first 20 mins of the second half. Should Firmino have killed the game off with his first big chance? Zaha scores, who was at fault? Mentality monsters score a late goal to secure victory.

Daniel Rhodes hosts Hamzah Khalique-Loonat to discuss listeners' questions, topics include:Do high intensity teams have a shelf life?Can Shaqiri be the next Maldini? How do we deal with injuries to our full-backs? How much tactical adjustments are required if Salah is missing? What are the expectations for our next five league games?