26 Feb 2020 23:53:27
Hear me out here.

Can Robbo and Trent technically be called defenders any more? Do we actually play a 2-5-3 formation?!

27 Feb 2020 07:34:33
You mean wingbacks? Yeah, occasionally they seem to operate like one. The thing is, everyone of them in the team seem to constantly change their position, depends on the situation. When both of Trent and Andy were joining the attack, if I'm not mistaken I noticed Gini or Henderson will cover the centerbacks. So I believe the formation is always to start with a back 4, but constantly changing according to the situation and condition.

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

27 Feb 2020 07:38:56
Yes I was thinking the same. I did wonder if Klopp would go with 3 at the back to provide more protection as Trent and Robbo never seem to be in our half! Working out just fine though!

27 Feb 2020 09:24:13
When Trent and/ or Robbo go up field to attack, one of the innermids (generally Gini for Robbo and Hendo for Trent) cover as an additional defender. That is also probably why we see fewer assists and goals from our midfielders.

27 Feb 2020 12:32:00
Sikaboy I think we kinda do play a 3 at the back in possession when the opposition is sitting deeper fabinho or henderson is he plays that role drop back. alternatively if you watch henderson always drops back as a 3rd center back on the right.

27 Feb 2020 16:20:00
I agree w0rdSmith, plus Fabinho stays as a CB at some points of the game. We are so well build tactocally. No need to touchy touchy.

27 Feb 2020 18:32:22
Our system is not that complicated. A lot of teams now play their fullbacks high up and this has been happening for easily the past 5 to 6 years with the DM's dropping into CB to cover forthem as the L or RCB covers the space out wide. We have not invented the wheel here.

However IMO, what we have done tho and only our team can do this with its FB's, is turn our FB's into no. 10's not just with their overall final ball but more in the way they inter-play with the front 3 and the other midfielders in their zones to help penetrate defensive blocks.

IMO, no team has FB's that can do these things we do hence, why not just anyone can come in and play the FB position in these ways. And I agree with Carra when he said TAA is KDB at FB. Or someone on the Anfield Wrap podcast said, "Trent plays the TAA position at RB as in, only he can play that FB position that way". And I fully agree.

27 Feb 2020 20:35:17
Became the first defender in prem history last season to get to 12 assists. It's February and he's already on 12 this season so will surely break his own record. Phenomenal numbers from a 21yr old RB to already be hitting. He only started 27 league games last year and 26 this year means he's setting up a goal every 2 games. Only fabregas and Rooney had better stats at same age but they were 2 attacking players who had played many more games at this stage. 30 assists and 5 goals from a young RB through just over 100 appearances is crazy really.