29 Jan 2021 08:54:39
Morning redmen,

Bit of a tactical question on last nights game, it seemed to me we reverted to last years game plan whereby we pushed up more, and had a higher line defensively, allowing the fullbacks to go rather than hold, and close down from the front?

Seemed a bit of a gamble to me with the back line, but turned out to work a treat, although son almost got in a couple of times!

Am I right in my obbo?

Thought Thiago was great in a higher up position and James Milner put in one hell of a shift.

Hopefully carry this forward to West Ham on Sunday.

🤙.

1.) 29 Jan 2021
29 Jan 2021 09:25:57
Agreed, we really needed to score a goal even if we were a little exposed at the back. Much needed confidence boost for the forwards and Trent.

2.) 29 Jan 2021
29 Jan 2021 09:33:15
OP, we reverted back to what the players are actually used to. This is the way we play and the way we got our success. We played this way vs Utd in the Cup game and the positives were there for all to see. We are a front foot team. It is who we are and what we do. Don't take my word for it. Even Klopp said so after the game, "This was us".

Will we have some hairy moments? Of course BUT we got to play the way we know how to play. Tweaks can be added of course but the fundamentals should NEVER change, IMO.

3.) 29 Jan 2021
29 Jan 2021 09:38:36
Klopp put both Millie and Wini in a number 6 holding role and allowed Thiago to move forward in midfield to help with his good distribution skills. It worked and Bobby dropped in with Thiago so we had two midfleaders in defensive role, and effectively 2 in an attacking role to feed the strikers. Great result whatever the tactics!

4.) 29 Jan 2021
29 Jan 2021 09:42:22
I think we're over complicating the analysis of all of this, same as we were over the last few weeks with the popular theory that our goals had dried up simply because we didn't have Fabinho in midfield winning it and giving it to the full backs and strikers.

We are a very good team with some outstanding players. Whilst we're almost certainly stronger in midfield when Fabinho and Henderson are in there, we're fortunuate to also have Milner, Thiago and Wijnaldum, with the likes of Jones and Ox as back up. Players like we have in this team are just very good footballers. I don't accept that a player like Salah or Thiago or Trent can only deliver if they play in a very specific role in a very specific system or formation. of course, there are set ups that get the best out of the combination of players but when the players are as good as we have, they are flexible, they can play different roles in different systems.

I couldn't get on board with the idea that the full backs and front three were suddenly impotent in the final third just because they didn't have Fabinho in midfield behind them. I think it was clear that our five key offensive players who create the vast majority of our goals and assists were all having a poor run. I can't accept that you have 70% possession and territorial domination match after match and players of the ability of Salah, Firmino, Mane, Trent and Robbo suddenly can't do anything with it, can't make a pass, can't hit a barn door, just because Fabinho isn't in midfield. Those five were just bang out of form.

It came back a bit last weekend and we scored two, and it came back further last night and we looked very sharp in the final third. Goals and assists from those five key offensive players.

5.) 29 Jan 2021
29 Jan 2021 09:51:20
Spurs played a lot of the game with 11 men behind the ball but they also got on the front foot a lot more than what WBA, Newcastle, Southampton, Utd (H) and Burnley did. 100% agree we are a front foot team but it’s hard to play on the front foot with 11 opposition players in and around their own box. For me the big plus last night was Thiago playing further forward. Him and Bobby’s link play and both full backs being covered going forward by Milner or Wiji. Hendo looks so comfortable at the back also. I know Fergie questioned Hedos running style years ago and I believe it’s because he runs around with Harry Kane in his pocket.

6.) 29 Jan 2021
29 Jan 2021 10:52:21
Agree JK. I said the other day that there are occasions where we need to try and somehow force the ultra defensive teams to attack us a little bit more as then that would give us that little bit of extra space to play in. Perhaps press the WBA/ Burnley type teams a little less because they'll give the ball away eventually anyway.

7.) 29 Jan 2021
29 Jan 2021 10:42:03
Fully agree, JK23. We have always had to play against 11 players behind the ball for the past 3 seasons and have been way more successful damaging these low block teams. Proof? Check the amount of points haul during that time.

Even during this poor run, it is not tat the chances are not there even tho the build up play is suspect at times, it is the in.