Thread by @mcmulhar

🧵THREAD🧵

We’ve heard often this year that “Liverpool will be back next season.” But why? Why is Mo Salah saying it after Liverpool were well beaten by Manchester City? And is it true?

In his own post-match remarks, Jurgen Klopp referred to City’s “double sixes” and “double tens”. Both he and Guardiola used a box midfield, but in slightly different ways.

Liverpool’s shape committed bodies to support the high press, while City’s used a flexible 3-2 shape in buildup with both full backs - though mainly John Stones - stepping into midfield.

Pressing in a front four, Liverpool went either player-for-player on the Manchester City backline or 3-on-4 with one player pressing Ederson. The idea was to force the ball wide rather than through the double sixes, which Klopp wanted to “control.”

However, City’s 3-2 shape meant they always had an extra player to beat the press, play through midfield, then create gaps for the attack to exploit. This happened with City’s first goal.

But there’s a reason Klopp spoke mostly about a lack of challenges in his post-match remarks, as though mentality rather than the gameplan was at fault. Looking through this lens, the same goal looks very different.

Jordan Henderson is given a dilemma by De Bruyne’s movement here. But his indecision, not his decision, proves costly. Even if he goes early and doesn’t get there, the defensive line can step up to play offside, or Robertson can make his own challenge in time.

The Henderson of old goes in early because the Van Dijk of old handles the situation if needed.
But now he hesitates because he knows Van Dijk will try to delay, which Mahrez just ignores.

An even clearer example was City’s 4th goal. Liverpool still have a front four, but it feels inaccurate to call it a “pressing” structure. Look at the body language here.

Klopp makes 4 subs, but nothing changes. So Trent Alexander-Arnold sprints forwards 60 yards alone and starts pressing Ederson on the ball. He shows it one way, then the other, before it goes out to City’s wide player.

Trent turns and realises nobody has gone with him, throwing his arms up in frustration. It’s surely not a gameplan. It’s a combination of principles - intensity, front foot, pressing - and frustration, with yet another big game slipping away.

Less than a minute later, a lack of pressure on the ball leads to Trent defending a 2v1, having sprinted the 60 yards back to his position. Seeing nobody back him up again, he gives up on tracking Grealish, who has the freedom to slot in the 4th.

This happens to Trent - dominoes result in a goal his side, and he takes the blame for it. Particularly galling this time, having just sprinted up and down the pitch without any support. It’s a disjointed, frustrated passage of play that sums up Liverpool’s headspace right now.

And it’s worth noting that Liverpool’s bright start came from mentality and quality, too. I’ve covered Liverpool’s issues when building out this season before, yet here they were positive and clinical for the opening goal.

Alisson risked a pass into Fabinho, who then found Trent Alexander-Arnold in space. With both City’s full backs pushed up to support the press, Liverpool had a 4v2 in attack, which they made count.

But, like the Real Madrid game, the positive start seemed a distant memory by the time the opposing fans were shouting “Olé!” and red shirts were chasing shadows. So why the optimism for next season?

"The team will be hungrier next year” seems to indicate that the players are mentally checked out of this awful campaign. It’s impossible to play this way with that attitude. Contrast even the positive moments in this game with the Community Shield:

The video literally seems sped up compared to recent times. When trophies are available and the team is in full flow, it’s easier to run the extra yards, play the brilliant passes, close the pivotal gaps.

Manchester City were fantastic in this game, and got their tactics spot on. But this Liverpool team has all the tools to go toe-to-toe with even a City this good. We saw that in phases of the first half, but these mentality moments took the game away from Liverpool in the end.

Spoiled by recent success, victory has defeated Liverpool.

There will be recruitment and tactical refinement this summer. But a restart and a refocus will be the key to overcoming Liverpool's toughest opponent yet: themselves.

END OF THREAD

#MCILIV #LFC #footballtactics