Football News: Tactics That Liverpool FC Could Employ Next Season

In this article I will look at the tactics that could be employed by Liverpool FC next season.

The first point to make is that the shape a team lines up in, differ between in and out of possession, and that the formation you are in affects your ability to transition out of that formation. It is also worth noting that formations may be the same but play very differently in transition depending on which players are moving between which positions.

Out of Possession
Under Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool have consistently played with a narrow 4-3-3 out of possession. There is nothing to indicate that this could change next season. A narrow 4-3-3 has the flexibility to move into a 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 depending on the situation and opponent. This gives the formation resilience as well as allowing it to be used with a high press.

However, the formation is reliant upon the athleticism of the 7 and 8 to assist with the press and recover into the defensive spaces. Another weakness of the formation is that it can leave the full-backs exposed if the press is not operating well, as the need to keep a narrow formation will always leave space out wide. This can be overcome with a functioning press, but creates giant holes if the press starts to fail.
There is no indication that this formation cannot be readopted successfully next season provided enough energy is brought into midfield.

In Possession
There appears to be two formations that Liverpool may play next season. These are the 2-3-3-2 and the 3-2-4-1. My view is that both formations have advantages and disadvantages, and I will explain why these formations are good and when they should be used by Liverpool.

2-3-3-2
Shape
This formation is the formation Liverpool adopted in Klopp's most successful teams. This formation will often see either the 7 or 8 push forward when the ball is on their side to assist with a forward run or to be a body in the counter-press.
This formation has the following advantages:

1. It gives you two players attacking the opposition defensive line but staying away from the centre-backs. This means that there is plenty of forward movement to pick out and makes this team very dangerous when it plays more directly or wins possession in a counter-press.

2. The formation can easily move to a 2-2-4-2 during a counter-press. This gives the team a numerical overload in midfield allowing for an effective counter-press.

3. This formation creates lots of space for the full-backs, allowing them to express themselves and be dangerous. The formation draws defenders away from the wide space when the play is on the opposite side, allowing full-backs free roam down the other flank. This is especially true during quick switches of play and why the ball from one full-back to the other was so dangerous for many years.
However, the formation has the following flaws:

4. It is relatively ineffective against a low block as that reduces the space for the two forwards to move into

5. The use of only one player in the central attacking midfield space makes it easy for the opposition to block passes into them or, if they do receive the ball, means that they either have to play it backwards, turn, or play wide to find a teammate. This means that progressing the ball centrally through the thirds is challenging and the team often resort to just crossing the ball in to create chances.

6. The counter-press does not work against teams that are press resistant, either through bypassing the midfield or being technically gifted enough to play through the press. There are very few teams that are good enough to do this when the press is working, but if they can then the formation leaves a lot of space wide defensively to attack.

The 2-3-3-2 is a very effective formation against a certain type of team and provided that the counter-press is working. It allows for the midfield to be flooded and constantly attacks the space behind the defence, making it ideal against teams who play with a higher line and like to play through the press on transition. However, it only has limited option for creating chances against low blocks and is susceptible to a quick transition into wide spaces. This is a problem against good teams that want to transition quickly and is why this formation should not be used all the time. My thoughts are that this formation should be used against teams with a high line and against weaker teams with a low block who are likely to give the ball away due to the counter-press. However, this formation should not be used against the very best teams who sit deep as they will have players who can play a longer pass even when under pressure.

Transition
The transition for this formation is very straightforward. The fullbacks push forward to become the wide players, the central midfielders hold centrally (although will often be in a position to support the attack and may join it at times), the centre forward drops into an attacking midfield role, and the wide forwards push up to attack the space behind the defence.

Player Roles
Centre backs
The centre backs are responsible for staying back, recycling the ball, and occasionally playing long balls.
This formation requires exceptional centre backs who have the pace to cover the space wide, are dominant in the air and on the deck, and have a solid passing range. These players are often isolated one v one against opponents who counter-attack, so they need to be capable of handling that situation.
This role was once exemplified by Van Dyke, however the only player in the current squad who can truly excel at it is Konate although VVD, Gomez, and Matip can all play this role. Pre-injury Van Den Berg looked like he could develop into this position however it may be a little much to expect of a 21 year old who is recently suffered a major injury. This is a position that should be strengthened.

Wide players
The wide players are responsible for creating width and often the creative spark for attacking play.
This formation requires exceptional athleticism, the ability to create in attacking situations, and intelligence to know when to counter-press and when to drop. These players are often the outlet in possession and will see a lot of the ball so it is vital that they are comfortable with the ball at their feet.
This role is exemplified by TAA and Robertson, but Tsimikas, Bradley, and Ramsay all look equally capable of playing in it.

CDM
The CDM operates almost as a sweeper behind the counter-press.
This formation requires the 6 to be comfortable circulating the ball, picking up behind the counter-press, and dropping back into the central defensive position when a centre back pushes wide. This player is the lynchpin for the transition out of this formation.
Fabinho has been excellent at this role, but I have my doubts that he can still perform it to a high standard although hope to be proved wrong. I do have a lot of faith that Bajectic would be excellent in this role and my only issue would be the amount of game-time he could play without injuring himself. Ideally this role would be strengthened but I can see an argument for giving the starting berth to Bajectic and using Fabinho as cover only.

CM
The CM operate primarily to cover the space behind the full-backs, but must also provide a deeper attacking option and occasionally rotate into attacking position.
This formation requires a lot of intelligence to know when to push into attacking positions and when to hold. It also requires considerable athleticism to cover all the necessary space.
Henderson used to be excellent at this role, and may still be able to do it on occasion, but I question if he can do it week in week out. I think Jones and Morton both have the qualities to provide excellent depth to this role, although this may limit Jones somewhat. My somewhat controversial view is that TAA would be excellent in this role as it would let him receive the ball slightly deeper and more central and he has the athleticism to cover the space. It would also limit his issues with lack of awareness at the back post as he would no longer be defending that area. Even with TAA moving into this role, it would still need strengthening.

False 9
The false 9 essentially plays as a traditional number 10 and operates in the hole between midfield and defence.
This formation requires an intelligent player who knows when to drop and create an overload in midfield and when to try and occupy a centre back. This player must also be comfortable taking the ball in tight spaces and receiving on the half turn, ideally while also able to get goal involvements when on the ball.
Firmino was excellent in this role and I think Gakpo may someday come to surpass him. I also firmly believe that this role would get the best out of Elliot by highlighting his best attributes and reducing the amount of dirty defensive work he needs to do.

Wide forwards
The wide forwards operate as wide forwards and are the teams main goal threat. Their primary role is to attack the space behind the defenders.
This formation requires players who can make runs from outside to inside, are quick, and can finish in front of goal.
Salah and Diaz are both excellent in this role. I also think Nunez could play this role well when playing against teams with a high line. The same comment goes for Jota but I see little sense in keeping two players who both have the same limitation (link play) to their game. I can also see Doak finding a home in this role as it would allow him to make best use of his direct running and pace.

3-2-4-1
Tactics
This is the formation that Klopp has adopted at the tail end of the 2022/ 23 campaign. This formation if often referred to as a 3-2-2-3 but I believe this to be a misnomer because the wide players are slightly deeper and don't attack the spaces behind.
This formation has the following advantages:

1. The use of a box 4 in midfield means that the team has an extra player in midfield allowing for creative players to get onto the ball in space in the deeper positions

2. The use of two players in the central attacking midfield zone means that there are multiple forward passing options available in central areas

3. The use of a back 3 allows for greater cover of the wide defensive areas
The formation has the following flaws:

4. The requirement to keep 5 players back means that the counter-press is less effective as there are less players available to press.

5. The use of only one player moving beyond the opposition defence means that the formation is less threatening for direct passes or transitional moments.

6. The transition of a right back into central spaces means and keeping the winger wide means that there is often a gap in centre mid after losing possession as the right back needs to move out of centre mid and into right back

7. The use of a forward in the wide positions means that you either end up with one of your most dangerous players further away from goal or no width on the right hand side

This formation is, in and of itself, very useful at getting the ball into dangerous positions in central spaces. It is not as effective at attacking the space behind the defence as the 2-3-3-2 but is better at creating attacking positions in the centre attacking midfield zone. This makes the formation useful in breaking down low blocks, although this can be hampered by the lack of width. This formation is also worse for counter-pressing than then 2-3-3-2 but does provide better cover in the wide defensive areas than the 2-3-3-3. This means that this formation makes the most sense against low blocks and teams that will be able to bypass the counter-press.

Transition
The biggest issue with this formation is the transition, or specifically the players who are asked to fill specific roles. The inversion of the right back creates an issue when possession is lost as the right back must either leave a hole in centre mid until the centre mid gets back in position or leave a hole at right back. The use of a forward as a winger also creates problems as it means one of the most dangerous players is receiving the ball away from dangerous positions or has to sacrifice the width to get into dangerous solutions.

Proposed Solution
It is my view that these problems have a simple solution. The right back pushes up to become the right winger, the right winger inverts into one of the 10s, and the right centre mid stays central.
This formation will mean that the right centre mid does not have to vacate the central space when possession is lost, the full-back can stay wide and provide width at all times, and the forward is getting on the ball in more dangerous positions.



Player Roles
CB
This player is responsible for providing leadership at the back and for distributing the ball as this position often ends up in space.
This formation requires a player who can read the game effectively, communicate to the players around them, and can distribute the ball forward if given space.
This role may still suit VVD as it would reduce how often he is isolated against forwards and allow him to use his excellent ability to make diagonal switches. Konate could also do a job here but his aggressiveness is less suited to a central role. This is a position that needs strengthening.

WCB
These players are responsible for covering the wide area if the ball comes down their side but also for dropping into the central area if the ball is on the opposing side.
This formation requires players who are quick and comfortable in the tackle, can play in wide spaces, but can also drop in centrally and cover that area. Also a player who can move the ball forward and create passing angles is desirable.
Konate can play this role and Gomez, Van Den Berg, and Robertson are good enough to provide cover for this role. However, we have no player who is truly good enough to regularly start on the left side in this role.

CDM
The CDM essentially operates as a ball winning midfielder. Their role is to sweep behind the midfield, stop counterattacks, and distribute the ball efficiently when in possession.
This formation requires a player who is comfortable in the tackle, can cover the space for the 8, and can receive the ball under pressure.
I echo my comments on the CDM above.

RPM
This player plays as a roaming playmaker and is the teams main creative hub. They use the midfield overload to get on the ball in central areas and then distribute forward in a creative manner.
This formation requires a player who can play creative higher risk passes accurately, has a good range of passing, and can receive the ball under pressure.
This role is ideally suited to TAA and would also suit Thiago as well. However, if TAA did move into midfield then he would be the starter in this role and it would make little sense to keep Thiago as cover considering his wages. I also firmly believe that Morton could provide cover in this role but being the only over player who can play it would put a lot of pressure on him. A player who can cover this role should be bought.

Wide players
These players are responsible for providing width to the team and will find themselves isolated against a defender fairly regularly.
This formation requires a player who can do something to create a goal scoring opportunity when they receive the ball high up the field, who is comfortable running at defenders, and who has the athleticism required to cover the wide spaces. Essentially this is an old school winger.
Diaz is excellent at this role on the left and Bradley performed it very well on loan. I see no reason why Ramsay would not excel in this role on the right and can see Jones and Doak providing cover on the left.

CAMs
These players operate in the spaces between opposition lines and try to get onto the ball in creative positions.
This formation requires players who are comfortable receiving the ball in tight spaces, are creative on the ball, work hard defensively as part of the counter-press, and have the intelligence to move into the spaces created by other players.
Jones has been playing this role very well this season and Gakpo has slotted in occasionally. I can also see both Salah and Elliot doing well as a right winger inverting into this space. The only issue is that Jones and Gakpo would likely cover other positions, so another player in this role would be ideal. This would need to be a player who could also play the 8 role if required.

CF
This player is responsible for occupying the central defenders and attacking the goal.
This formation requires a player with clever movement, who can pop up in goal scoring positions, is a constant menace to defenders, and can threaten both from through balls and crosses.
Both Nunez and Jota would be good in this role and Gakpo could definitely play it but in a slightly different style. I can also see Salah providing additional depth. With that depth, it may not make sense to keep Nunez and Jota as they occupy the same role.

Written by Kal0501 May 31 2023 10:14:32