🔴 Tactical Analysis
How did Liverpool tried to bypass Tottenham’s out of possession structure (3-2 shape) ?
🧵
How did Liverpool tried to bypass Tottenham’s out of possession structure (3-2 shape) ?
🧵
To counter Liverpool’s build-up, and anticipate usual transitions patterns, Tottenham implemented a 3-2 off-the-ball structure, controlling central passes and, on the paper, would constrain Liverpool to build-up on channels.
Liverpool’s mid 3 structure understood Spurs plan and it was fundamental to not have two players trapped into the structure. That’s why we saw Elliott and Thiago frequently move around Spurs 3-2 shape and anticipate build-up on channels.
With 3 wide midfielders, Liverpool forced Tottenham’s compact shape to move laterally, taking consequent energy from players due to the fact Liverpool catalyzed lateral passes, thanks to Van Djik and Konaté’s passing range.
However, Spurs pressed efficiently with Kane Bentancur and Perisic. Liverpool tried to draw in the first line of pressure, increasing distance with the second line of the structure (Bissouma-Hojbjerg). Therefore, Liverpool liberated passing angles to overthrow Spurs structure
An illustration here : first line of pressure drawn in, Alexander-Arnold combined with Elliott and thanks to his incredible switches of play, annihilated the whole structure and allowed Liverpool to attack the opposite half-space (Nunez-Robertson).
We saw Arnold and Elliott inverting positions (Arndold as inverted fullback in possession). If Thiago/Arnold were difficult to reach, Klopp could rely on Konaté’s ball carryings to eliminate his opponent, penetrate into Spurs shape and find Robertson, on the left channel
Konaté had a key role in Liverpool’s process to increase distance b/w both lines of Tottenham’s structure. His vertical passes were accurate and broke lines many times. To receive that kind of powerful passes, Salah was the ideal profile. Then Liverpool had numerical advantage.
Thiago Alcantara has huge positional knowledge, and this asset has been useful to avoid Spurs trap (3-2 structure). To ensure a numerical superiority in first phase of build-up, Thiago’s drop-offs were necessary. Wide passes made Spurs moves more difficult during the whole game.
Why ? Because when Thiago moved away from Spurs structure and jumped on the left channel, Spurs had a delay in pressing phase. Therefore, Liverpool had numerical superiority to implement a direct build-up to find Nunez-Salah quickly.
Liverpool also used Fabinho into the structure to overthrow Spurs from the heart oh their pressing shape. That was made possible thanks to Firmino’s drop-offs to provoke man-marking, and Trent’s diagonal passes to find Fabinho into the structure and take advantage from here.
Spurs frequently had to make a choice : move with narrow distances, but letting Liverpool more time and space to build-up.
Increase distance between the two lines and allow Konate or Van Djik to give vertical passes.
Increase distance between the two lines and allow Konate or Van Djik to give vertical passes.
To conclude, I decided to show the whole process in first phase of possession :
-Draw in the first line of pressure
-Elliott and Thiago avoiding Spurs structure
-Arnold switching into an inverted fullback.
-Draw in the first line of pressure
-Elliott and Thiago avoiding Spurs structure
-Arnold switching into an inverted fullback.
جاري تحميل الاقتراحات...