Tactics and Formations
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Re: Tactics and Formations
Even still in both a 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 How do u accomadate ur players?
Johnson Agger Skrtel New Lb
Gerrard_____Lucas____Aqua?/Miereles?/Adam?
_________Suarez Downing
_______________Carrol
Same back four
____________Lucas__Gerrard?/Adam?/Mierles/Aquilani?
Suarez__________Gerrard/Aquama/Mierles_________Downing
________________Carrol
The thing is Suarez perfers a free rold rifting all around the wings and the center. Downing is purely a winger. Aquaman and Mierles can't tackle idk about adam.
Johnson Agger Skrtel New Lb
Gerrard_____Lucas____Aqua?/Miereles?/Adam?
_________Suarez Downing
_______________Carrol
Same back four
____________Lucas__Gerrard?/Adam?/Mierles/Aquilani?
Suarez__________Gerrard/Aquama/Mierles_________Downing
________________Carrol
The thing is Suarez perfers a free rold rifting all around the wings and the center. Downing is purely a winger. Aquaman and Mierles can't tackle idk about adam.
Charrua- Hot Prospect
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Re: Tactics and Formations
Charrua wrote:Even still in both a 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 How do u accomadate ur players?
Johnson Agger Skrtel New Lb
Gerrard_____Lucas____Aqua?/Miereles?/Adam?
_________Suarez Downing
_______________Carrol
Same back four
____________Lucas__Gerrard?/Adam?/Mierles/Aquilani?
Suarez__________Gerrard/Aquama/Mierles_________Downing
________________Carrol
The thing is Suarez perfers a free rold rifting all around the wings and the center. Downing is purely a winger. Aquaman and Mierles can't tackle idk about adam.
I dont think all of Adam Meirles Gerrard Henderson and Aquilani will start.More likely to be Adam and Gerrard with Meireles and Henderson rotated with them.I personally think Aquilani will be off before the window closes so probably will be a lot more clear.
And Suarez i think will start from wide right with a free role drifting everywhere.And Henderson can also play wide so he will probably cover for Suarez on the right.
BeautifulGame- First Team
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Re: Tactics and Formations
Charrua wrote:Even still in both a 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 How do u accomadate ur players?
Johnson Agger Skrtel New Lb
Gerrard_____Lucas____Aqua?/Miereles?/Adam?
_________Suarez Downing
_______________Carrol
Same back four
____________Lucas__Gerrard?/Adam?/Mierles/Aquilani?
Suarez__________Gerrard/Aquama/Mierles_________Downing
________________Carrol
The thing is Suarez perfers a free rold rifting all around the wings and the center. Downing is purely a winger. Aquaman and Mierles can't tackle idk about adam.
meireles can tackle fine, but he'll be used in a role where it's not needed regardless. as it stands now, our deep midfielders will be either lucas/spearing (defensive) or in rare cases adam playing from a withdrawn role. in front of those will be gerrard/adam/sometimes henderson/maybe aquilani if he's here, and in front of that spot will be a rotation of gerrard/mereiles/aquilani. the wingers would be suarez/downing/maxi/kuyt, with hendo as cover as well (or maybe more than just that). obviously mixing and matching these different possible uses for each player depending on the formation and the situation will be there, but quite the contrary to what your'e saying, i'd say we have flexibility and can play many disparate formations thanks to the depthw e have in midfield.
stevieg8- First Team
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Re: Tactics and Formations
They'll be a lot of rotation Charrua. Gerrard won't play every game, the only guaranteed starters imo, will be Pepe, Lucas and Suarez.
Red Alert- World Class Contributor
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Re: Tactics and Formations
I think our best 11 for the beginning of the season:
Reina
Johnson Carra Agger Aurelio
Lucas Adam
Kuyt Aquaman Downing
Carroll
Rotate Raul and Henderson for Adam and Aqua, to rest players. I think Henderson can play on the right when johnson is at RB, but when kelly is playing rb i think we need to stick kuyt or downing on the right and have maxi or downing on the left.
Then introduce Suarez when fit and also with Gerrard.
Reina
Johnson Carra Agger Aurelio
Lucas Adam
Kuyt Aquaman Downing
Carroll
Rotate Raul and Henderson for Adam and Aqua, to rest players. I think Henderson can play on the right when johnson is at RB, but when kelly is playing rb i think we need to stick kuyt or downing on the right and have maxi or downing on the left.
Then introduce Suarez when fit and also with Gerrard.
RedFlag- Prospect
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Re: Tactics and Formations
My ideal formation: The 4-2-3-1
-Reina-
Johnson-Carragold-Agger-Aurelio/Enrique?
-Adam-Lucas-
-Suarez-Il Capitano-Downing-
-Carroll-
Alternative: 4-3-1-2
-Reina-
Johnson-Carragold-Agger-Aurelio/Enrique?
-Adam------Lucas---------Downing--
-Stevie G-
-Suarez- Carroll-
Usual Subs: Hendo, Kuyt, Raul
PS: If Aquilani does in fact stay, then I would prefer him over Adam.
Also, don't take the Meireles absence seriously as I only feel based the selection on individual qualities rather then overall ability as Adam with the Xabi-esque distribution, Lucas with the defense and Downing with that long yearned width. Raul would provide an all round mix.
-Reina-
Johnson-Carragold-Agger-Aurelio/Enrique?
-Adam-Lucas-
-Suarez-Il Capitano-Downing-
-Carroll-
Alternative: 4-3-1-2
-Reina-
Johnson-Carragold-Agger-Aurelio/Enrique?
-Adam------Lucas---------Downing--
-Stevie G-
-Suarez- Carroll-
Usual Subs: Hendo, Kuyt, Raul
PS: If Aquilani does in fact stay, then I would prefer him over Adam.
Also, don't take the Meireles absence seriously as I only feel based the selection on individual qualities rather then overall ability as Adam with the Xabi-esque distribution, Lucas with the defense and Downing with that long yearned width. Raul would provide an all round mix.
Arquitecto- World Class Contributor
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Re: Tactics and Formations
^ Gerrard and Johnson are out injured for the Sunderland game.
Red Alert- World Class Contributor
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Re: Tactics and Formations
It's going to be mostly 4-3-3 (or 4-2-3-1 depending on how you look at it).
Regarding glut of players in center of the park, well Gerrard miss (or will be spared) for large part even of this short (no Europe) season. Aqualini wasn't expected to be back (and he or Raul could still be on way out), so six players for three positions isn't really much.
I think Kenny would want this:
----Lucas--Adam----
-------Gerrard-------
Suarez-----Downing
-------Carroll--------
Regarding glut of players in center of the park, well Gerrard miss (or will be spared) for large part even of this short (no Europe) season. Aqualini wasn't expected to be back (and he or Raul could still be on way out), so six players for three positions isn't really much.
I think Kenny would want this:
----Lucas--Adam----
-------Gerrard-------
Suarez-----Downing
-------Carroll--------
iftikhar- Fan Favorite
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Re: Tactics and Formations
-------------------------------------------Reina-----------------------------------------
Johnson--------------Carragher-------------------------------Agger---------------Enrique
----------------------------Gerrard------------------------Adam-------------------------
-------Suarez----------------------------Aquilani-------------------------Downing-------
------------------------------------------Carroll-----------------------------------------
When the teams fully fit that would be immense.
Johnson--------------Carragher-------------------------------Agger---------------Enrique
----------------------------Gerrard------------------------Adam-------------------------
-------Suarez----------------------------Aquilani-------------------------Downing-------
------------------------------------------Carroll-----------------------------------------
When the teams fully fit that would be immense.
FootballFan92- Prospect
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Re: Tactics and Formations
Afraid that team would get destroyed on the counter and in general by sides with pacy wingers and good attacking mids. It really needs some defensive quality in midfield as Adam and Gerrard both like to roam forward, both fullbacks like to get up into attack, and none of the attacking three behind Carroll track back much.
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Re: Tactics and Formations
Is your solution Lucas?
FootballFan92- Prospect
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Re: Tactics and Formations
FootballFan92 wrote:Is your solution Lucas?
My solution for your line up, Would be Lucas.
Without a DM, wont be able to beat Swansea.
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Re: Tactics and Formations
FootballFan92 wrote:Is your solution Lucas?
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Re: Tactics and Formations
Who is best suited for the CAM role:
1. Gerrard
2. Adam
3. Raul
4. Aqualini (if he stays)
1. Gerrard
2. Adam
3. Raul
4. Aqualini (if he stays)
iftikhar- Fan Favorite
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Re: Tactics and Formations
Aquilani in my opinion, is best suited for that role.
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Re: Tactics and Formations
iftikhar wrote:Who is best suited for the CAM role:
1. Gerrard
2. Adam
3. Raul
4. Aqualini (if he stays)
Gerrard by a long distance and others on the list are not even comparable.
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Re: Tactics and Formations
Do you think this is our best starting XI:
---------------Reina---------------
Glen-Carragher-Agger-Enrique
----------Lucas---Adam----------
Suarez----Gerrard-----Downing
--------------Carroll--------------
---------------Reina---------------
Glen-Carragher-Agger-Enrique
----------Lucas---Adam----------
Suarez----Gerrard-----Downing
--------------Carroll--------------
iftikhar- Fan Favorite
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Re: Tactics and Formations
iftikhar wrote:Do you think this is our best starting XI:
---------------Reina---------------
Glen-Skrtel-Agger-Enrique
----------Lucas---Raul/AA----------
Suarez----Gerrard-----Downing
--------------Carroll--------------
Changes in red...
Red Alert- World Class Contributor
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Re: Tactics and Formations
Resurrecting the Formations Thread!
With Liverpool’s luck this season, perhaps it is time to throw caution to the wind. We have created boatloads of chances, but have been failing to convert them. This is due to a combination of a general lack of composure in front of goal as well as an inability to follow up on rebounds and half-chances that are created. Because of this, it may be time to switch to a more attack-minded system.
So, I was playing FIFA the other day. (Yeah… I know it’s a weak basis for strategy, but it just sparked an idea. Please don’t flame.) While using Napoli, this crazy idea hit me: “Why not try out a similar system at LFC?” We have the squad to pull it off, and with a few additions it could be absolutely deadly. Let’s look at this formation line by line, shall we?
(In no particular order…)
ST: Carroll, Kuyt, Bellamy or Suarez
RF/LF: Kuyt, Suarez, Bellamy, Maxi, Gerrard, Downing, Shelvey or Hendo
LM: Downing, Enrique, Maxi and Aurelio (maybe even Adam in a pinch)
CM: Adam, Hendo, Gerrard, Shelvey, Spearing or Lucas ( when fit )
RM: Johnson, Kuyt, Maxi, Henderson or Gerrard
CB: Coates, Skrtel, Agger, Carragher, Wilson, Kelly
GK: Reina or Doni… obviously
With the currently available personnel (assuming Lucas, Gerrard and Aurelio are unfit), I would go with this lineup:
-----------------Carroll---------------------
------------Suarez – Kuyt/Bellamy------
Downing – Adam – Hendo – Johnson
--------Enrique – Agger – Skrtel--------
--------------------Reina--------------------
Or
------------------Kuyt----------------------
-----------Suarez – Shelvey-------------
Enrique – Adam – Hendo – Johnson
--------Agger – Skrtel – Carra----------
------------------Reina---------------------
Obviously, putting Enrique and Johnson on the wings lends slightly more defensive cover against teams with dangerous wide forwards. In addition, you could substitute Bellamy for Shelvey for an even more potent attack against “bigger,” more defensive sides.
The 3-pronged attack certainly lends more attacking options to convert chances into goals, and it allows Enrique and Johnson to play to their attacking talents. In addition, we have the potential for a good back 3. Of course, there are questions about how well a back 3 can work in the Premier League. However, with Enrique and Johnson on the wings, it converts easily to a back five in case we want to try to park the bus.
In summary, this is a stupid idea. However, it’s a stupid idea that could lead to goals-a-plenty. It will certainly stretch our stingy defense to the limits, but it might just allow us to convert the plethora of chances that the squad is converting. In short, there is no chance we will see this, but a fan can dream, can’t he?
With Liverpool’s luck this season, perhaps it is time to throw caution to the wind. We have created boatloads of chances, but have been failing to convert them. This is due to a combination of a general lack of composure in front of goal as well as an inability to follow up on rebounds and half-chances that are created. Because of this, it may be time to switch to a more attack-minded system.
So, I was playing FIFA the other day. (Yeah… I know it’s a weak basis for strategy, but it just sparked an idea. Please don’t flame.) While using Napoli, this crazy idea hit me: “Why not try out a similar system at LFC?” We have the squad to pull it off, and with a few additions it could be absolutely deadly. Let’s look at this formation line by line, shall we?
(In no particular order…)
ST: Carroll, Kuyt, Bellamy or Suarez
RF/LF: Kuyt, Suarez, Bellamy, Maxi, Gerrard, Downing, Shelvey or Hendo
LM: Downing, Enrique, Maxi and Aurelio (maybe even Adam in a pinch)
CM: Adam, Hendo, Gerrard, Shelvey, Spearing or Lucas ( when fit )
RM: Johnson, Kuyt, Maxi, Henderson or Gerrard
CB: Coates, Skrtel, Agger, Carragher, Wilson, Kelly
GK: Reina or Doni… obviously
With the currently available personnel (assuming Lucas, Gerrard and Aurelio are unfit), I would go with this lineup:
-----------------Carroll---------------------
------------Suarez – Kuyt/Bellamy------
Downing – Adam – Hendo – Johnson
--------Enrique – Agger – Skrtel--------
--------------------Reina--------------------
Or
------------------Kuyt----------------------
-----------Suarez – Shelvey-------------
Enrique – Adam – Hendo – Johnson
--------Agger – Skrtel – Carra----------
------------------Reina---------------------
Obviously, putting Enrique and Johnson on the wings lends slightly more defensive cover against teams with dangerous wide forwards. In addition, you could substitute Bellamy for Shelvey for an even more potent attack against “bigger,” more defensive sides.
The 3-pronged attack certainly lends more attacking options to convert chances into goals, and it allows Enrique and Johnson to play to their attacking talents. In addition, we have the potential for a good back 3. Of course, there are questions about how well a back 3 can work in the Premier League. However, with Enrique and Johnson on the wings, it converts easily to a back five in case we want to try to park the bus.
In summary, this is a stupid idea. However, it’s a stupid idea that could lead to goals-a-plenty. It will certainly stretch our stingy defense to the limits, but it might just allow us to convert the plethora of chances that the squad is converting. In short, there is no chance we will see this, but a fan can dream, can’t he?
Last edited by donttreadonred on Tue Dec 20, 2011 8:12 pm; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : Making the linked picture work.)
donttreadonred- First Team
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Re: Tactics and Formations
Considering how many English sides rely on the wings for their attacks, I'd hesitate before using a formation that relies on wingbacks placed that far up the pitch.
That said, I'd rather see a 3-4-3 or a 3-4-1-2 than a flat 4-4-2...
That said, I'd rather see a 3-4-3 or a 3-4-1-2 than a flat 4-4-2...
RedOranje- Admin
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Re: Tactics and Formations
now with Suarez out from January Maxi will be the top scorer . . .might as well leave out the 1 in front
Fahim89- First Team
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Re: Tactics and Formations
Who's going to support him?
Also doubt he'll be out for all of January if we do take action... and we will.
Also doubt he'll be out for all of January if we do take action... and we will.
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Re: Tactics and Formations
ynwa wrote:Who's going to support him?
Also doubt he'll be out for all of January if we do take action... and we will.
Naah i was just kidding dude! Cause if that day comes & Suarez is not there Maxi would most likely not have any opportunity to tap in or fight against an open net! (as in most of his goals ) . . . .
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Re: Tactics and Formations
---------------Reina--------------
----Skrtel-Carragher-Agger----
Glen---------------------Enrique
Bellamy-Hendo---Adam-Maxi
-------------Carroll--------------
---------------Reina--------------
----Skrtel-Carragher-Agger----
Glen-----Spearing-----Enrique
Bellamy------Adam-------Maxi
-------------Carroll--------------
---------------Reina--------------
Glen---Skrtel-Agger---Enrique
----Hendo-Spearing-Adam----
-------Bellamy------Maxi-------
-------------Carroll--------------
----Skrtel-Carragher-Agger----
Glen---------------------Enrique
Bellamy-Hendo---Adam-Maxi
-------------Carroll--------------
---------------Reina--------------
----Skrtel-Carragher-Agger----
Glen-----Spearing-----Enrique
Bellamy------Adam-------Maxi
-------------Carroll--------------
---------------Reina--------------
Glen---Skrtel-Agger---Enrique
----Hendo-Spearing-Adam----
-------Bellamy------Maxi-------
-------------Carroll--------------
iftikhar- Fan Favorite
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Tactics and Formations
So often, we discuss the different tactics and approaches to different games or even the tactics of different teams against us, I thought a tactics and formations thread might not be a bad idea.
The best part is that it give me a place to post this article written by a RAWK writer. It is one of the best tactical analyses of what Rodgers is working towards that I have seen out there. It specifically refers to the Sunderland win, but it could be applied on a larger scale to the general trend of play we have seen since he came in. One of the most enjoyable parts for me was the comparison to a certain historic team. And, no, it is not the recent Barcelona teams under Pep Guardiola.
There's quite a bit more I'd like to discuss, but for now I'll let you all take a look at the article.
(All credit to RAWK Writer PhaseofPlay Anny Roader)
The best part is that it give me a place to post this article written by a RAWK writer. It is one of the best tactical analyses of what Rodgers is working towards that I have seen out there. It specifically refers to the Sunderland win, but it could be applied on a larger scale to the general trend of play we have seen since he came in. One of the most enjoyable parts for me was the comparison to a certain historic team. And, no, it is not the recent Barcelona teams under Pep Guardiola.
There's quite a bit more I'd like to discuss, but for now I'll let you all take a look at the article.
(All credit to RAWK Writer PhaseofPlay Anny Roader)
Liverpool v Sunderland
Rather than focus on the game itself as a game of two teams, I think it is important to focus more on Liverpool after this game, because quite frankly that game was the best example of what Rodgers is looking to achieve on a broader scale. The game had everything – Possession, Pressure, Goals and Shots on Target, Mobility, Balance and more importantly, Cohesion. It was not even a perfect performance. The overall key factor from the game, from a fans point of view, is that Rodgers must be allowed to realize his vision – both from the fan support aspect and from the owner’s perspective. He needs time, encouragement and funds (allied to control of who comes in and who goes out). The reason for this is simple – if he doesn’t get the support and time here, another big club will give it to him, and he could create something special there instead.
“Death by Passing” and Sunderland’s System -
What we saw yesterday was not quite the culmination of Rodgers’ work, but a major pointer in the right direction. It was, for all intents and purposes, “Death by Passing”. People are disinclined here to give the team and manager any credit for these recent dominant wins, claiming the lack of talent of the other team on the day. The truth, though, is somewhere in the middle between them being bad and us being good. The QPR that looked soulless and lost in the last game went out and beat Chelsea away. The Fulham that were tanked 4-0 were 2-1 winners AT West Bromwich Albion, a few people’s dark horses for a Champions League spot.
And so it was that the Sunderland who have picked up form in recent games and have beaten the League Champions were made to look like pub league amateurs constantly chasing the ball like a cat chasing a ball of string. Certainly, they didn’t play to their full potential, but once they missed their second clear chance on goal, they weren’t seeing much of the ball for the rest of the game – a fluid midfield, a suffocating front line and the engine of Jordan Henderson made sure of that. For the sake of fairness, let’s look at how Sunderland ended up having to play:
The first thing we can see is that their midfield and forward shape were dragged all over the pitch. Because of the strength of Sterling and Suarez connecting, McClean had to play deep and double up on Raheem. Although they ostensibly played a 4-4-1-1, and although their back four with Colback in front kept their shape at least, the midfield and forward set-up was a shapeless mess in reality, being forced to chase the ball all over the width and depth of the field. And if they thought they had some respite from the possession at any time once Liverpool got beyond the 6th pass, there was Gerrard dropping deep into the right defensive third space to receive and launch passes Suarez.
Although Sunderland have been prone to sitting deep under O’Neill, the quality of ball and player mobility from Liverpool forced the back four to push up just to stay connected to their rudderless midfield. This is what created the ample space for Liverpool to attack into. The quality of the combination patterns, the direct passes from Gerrard and Suarez, and the midfield runs from deep ensured that no matter what plans Sunderland had for the game, our early goal would ensure that their plans would be a footnote to the game, rather than the narration of it. They didn’t play to their potential, but to give Liverpool and the manager credit, they weren’t allowed to. To do that, you have to get the ball, and when you get it, you have to attack an unbalanced defence. Thankfully, they neither got much of the ball, nor did they face a shapeless and open backline.
Liverpool’s System –
I asked earlier if anyone wanted to hazard a guess at what our actual formation played out as, according to player roles rather than what was on paper. Most guessed at a 4-2-3-1, and there wouldn’t be anything wrong with that assessment, as there was a solidity to our play that would indicate that. However, the solidity, I believe, came more from the balance of the team through the thirds and in the channels, and we covered the field very, very well, without sacrificing defensive solidity. For all intents and purposes, we lined up tactically like we have done for a lot of the season (and which I proposed in the Preview thread):
We can see the high-positioned back four, the defensive midfielder, the runner, and the “Controller”/Playmaker in central midfield, and the recessed wingers/inside forwards with Suarez central and high up front. We didn’t stray too much from that shape at all, except where we DID make an alteration, we created almost a whole new system which was a hybrid of systems that the players seemed comfortable with:
What we first notice here is that Lucas played closer to Agger and Skrtel than he usually does, which had the effect of plugging that central gap I talked about in the Back-Three thread. Agger and Skrtel also played relatively closer to the central channel, splitting only on certain triggers (Reina on goalkicks, Reina receiving a back pass, etc). After the ball entered the central and attacking thirds, Agger and Skrtel became a bit more conservative. This is something a few posters mentioned in that Back-Three thread, including myself, as a way of mitigating that large space in the middle. Combine that with Lucas playing deeper than usual, and we had a central defensive channel covered by three players no more than 10 yards apart, meaning we covered 20-30 yards of central space with 3 players, rather than leaving a 30 yard space being covered by one (Lucas). This allowed the fullbacks to comfortably get forward into the attack, as evident by the number of forays forward into the edge of the box that both Wisdom and Johnson made, with both having good chances to shoot on target. With Lucas dropping back, though, and the fullbacks being wide, Gerrard found himself with a lot more space to drop into to receive the ball, allowing him to assess the runs of the forward players, or switch the play our of pressure in the channels when necessary.
The second part of this space created was due to the unrelenting pressure that Henderson put on the Sunderland midfielders and back four. In all, the workload and positional play of the trio showed how a Rodgers midfield works when the right people are in the right positions. You can almost imagine why a player like Sahin would appeal to Rodgers in this scenario, as the runner and the holding mid would create a huge pocket of space for the controller to “quarterback” the game. Up front, Downing had another good game, working hard, showing a bit of flash, and a good understanding with him, Henderson and Suarez has been recently evident. Sterling and Suarez have a clear mentor relationship, and that could be a forward partnership to look out for over the years. The only positional relationship which didn’t materialize was between Wisdom and Sterling, who clearly didn’t know each other’s style of play too well, and didn’t seem to be on the same page the way Johnson and Downing usually are. All-in-all, the shape of the team and the play was as close as we’ve been to the ideal Rodgers team this season.
Echoes of History –
However, the positives don’t end there. If we look again at the formation, and the roles played, we can see from the diagrams that although we played a 4-3-3 on paper, in terms of positions and tasks, we actually played a 3-4-3. The gap between midfield still existed, even though the gap between the two central defenders was consolidated with Lucas. The workrate of Gerrard and Henderson, though, more or less nullified that space, except for the one passage of play when they cut through us with some good give and go’s. What is noticeable is that our front three pressed Sunderland into their defensive third quite aggressively, backed up by another line of three (Johnson – Henderson – Wisdom), with Gerrard almost sweeping up behind them, and Lucas, Agger and Skrtel taking care of the offside space.
In effect, we were pressing their back four with seven players, and when we won the ball, we opened up and created good width and depth. We can see this by the positions of the team across the three channels – the central channel is well stocked with the spine of the team – Lucas, Gerrard, Henderson, and Suarez. The wide channels were equally balanced with at least Downing-Johnson and Sterling-Wisdom doubling up in the channels, with Agger and Skrtel playing half-and-half roles in defending the channels and the central defensive zone. In effect, we were playing a 3-4-3 (or a 3-1-3-3 to be technical, with Gerrard as the “1”). This was encouraging, because positiionally on paper, we weren’t playing with three central defenders, we didn’t have a midfield four, and the two outside attackers were true wingers on their strong sides. If you’re an opposition manager and team preparing in any way all week to play against a 4-3-3, then these positional changes were really going to make you dizzy. It’s a very difficult formation to play against, and it has a good solid precedent in the past from one of the great teams that could be said to be a model almost more than Barca are for what we’re trying to achieve: the Ajax team of 1995. If we look below...
…. We can see that Ajax played positionally much the same way as we did against Sunderland, with the main difference being the more dedicated central positioning of Blind at the back and Rijkaard being the general. Similarly, the outside central mids were actual central midfielders, but as someone pointed out earlier, it seemed at times that Johnson and Wisdom came into the middle of the field as part of the initial pressure phase. We definitely played more compact in the first pressure phase, both in open play and in defence of free-kicks (a trait which almost let Sunderland in to score). This shape-change helped us to win the ball back as it put players in areas that Sunderland didn’t expect. It threw their shape off and had Sunderland chasing shadows. In much the same way, Ajax would keep the ball moving and drop Litmanen into central positions to make their diamond midifield into a flat midfield, causing the opposition to reassess their own shape as they now had a new arrangement to face. The constant moving of the ball under Van Gaal was something that relied on good balance, good width, coverage of both the thirds of the field and the channels, and Van Gaal felt that a 3-4-3 did that job better than other formations, even Ajax’s historically prized 4-3-3. But it was also flexible, as have seen, and could even be changed to a 4-3-3 by dropping Rijkaard into the defense and having Blind play as a sweeper. If anyone wants to see the potential for how Rodgers wants us to play, don’t watch Barcelona – watch Ajax in the 1995 Champions League and the Eredivisie. That was the archetype of “Death by Passing”.
Conclusion –
In the fullness of the game, I think we saw some real glimpses of the Rodgers vision being played out for all to see. There was no “guff”, no soundbites, no “talking”, and no buzzwords. It was Rodgers’ vision writ large for the people of Liverpool to see – extreme circulation of the ball, temporization, pressure defence, balance in all thirds and channels of the field, a central spine, and a system that every player understands, from starters to bench players. Even the addition of Allen, Suso and Carragher didn’t change the patterns of play. That, my friends, is real coaching. The players believed, the manager believes, the message is being perfected, and the addition of top quality will only see the plan getting better. For the future, I think a lot more teams are going to come to Anfield and be made to look “rubbish”. Rodgers is building a fortress, brick by brick, pass by pass. It needs some time, but it needs a good foundation, and the lumps we took early in the season in order to get the system machinated will be well worth it – if not this season, then in the seasons to come.
Last edited by donttreadonred on Sun Jan 06, 2013 1:52 pm; edited 1 time in total
donttreadonred- First Team
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Re: Tactics and Formations
donttreadonred wrote:what we’re trying to achieve: the Ajax team of 1995. If we look below...
…. We can see that Ajax played positionally much the same way as we did against Sunderland, with the main difference being the more dedicated central positioning of Blind at the back and Rijkaard being the general. Similarly, the outside central mids were actual central midfielders, but as someone pointed out earlier, it seemed at times that Johnson and Wisdom came into the middle of the field as part of the initial pressure phase. We definitely played more compact in the first pressure phase, both in open play and in defence of free-kicks (a trait which almost let Sunderland in to score). This shape-change helped us to win the ball back as it put players in areas that Sunderland didn’t expect. It threw their shape off and had Sunderland chasing shadows. In much the same way, Ajax would keep the ball moving and drop Litmanen into central positions to make their diamond midifield into a flat midfield, causing the opposition to reassess their own shape as they now had a new arrangement to face. The constant moving of the ball under Van Gaal was something that relied on good balance, good width, coverage of both the thirds of the field and the channels, and Van Gaal felt that a 3-4-3 did that job better than other formations, even Ajax’s historically prized 4-3-3. But it was also flexible, as have seen, and could even be changed to a 4-3-3 by dropping Rijkaard into the defense and having Blind play as a sweeper. If anyone wants to see the potential for how Rodgers wants us to play, don’t watch Barcelona – watch Ajax in the 1995 Champions League and the Eredivisie. That was the archetype of “Death by Passing”.
This is by no means possible. Brendan Rodgers will not be able to create a tactic like this as well as Louis van Gaal did for Ajax. The obvious reason is the disparity between the quality of players that allowed the system to be successful. Just look at a player-by-player comparison:
Compared to:
In an ideal world, this would be what we should be striving towards - it is clear that the current squad of Liverpool Football Club cannot attempt to play like FC Barcelona, yet the more fundamental 1990s Ajax squad would be the goal for the current squad. However, just looking at the players', it is not possible to implement this with a fraction of the success that Ajax, and Louis van Gaal did in the 90s. It is as if it is a competition of play style, where Ajax would earn the gold medal and Liverpool would not even make the podium.
There were so many world-beaters in that Ajax squad, like Edwin Van der Sar, Frank de Boer, Danny Blind, Frank Rijkaard, Edgar Davids, Clarence Seedorf, Jari Litmanen, Marc Overmars, and Ronald de Boer. Patrick Kluivert would even come off the bench, and in the '95 UEFA Champions League final that is what he did and he scored the winning goal. What do we have at Liverpool Football Club? The only player from that Sunderland match that has an ounce of the quality that oozed out of that Ajax squad is Luis Suarez, who coincidentally came to us from Ajax.
In mu opinion the praise from RAWK is overblown - comparing Liverpool Football Club's victory against Sunderland to a legendary team that went undefeated in the Eredivisie, went undefeated in the UEFA Champions League, and lost only one match in 49 matches in the 1994/1995 season? Really? There is a long way to go before we can even be compared to our 2005 UEFA Champions League-winning squad, let alone the 1995 Ajax squad.
Otherwise, great article. It was a nice read.
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