Five ways Hull demolition showed Jurgen Klopp has transformed Liverpool
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ByEurosport
Updated 26/09/2016 at 17:32 GMT
Jurgen Klopp has made subtle changes to the Liverpool team during his first year in charge and the 5-1 demolition of Hull shows they are paying off. Alex Keble explains.
Liverpool's German manager Jurgen Klopp (R) celebrates with Liverpool's Senegalese midfielder Sadio Mane folowing the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge in London on September 16, 2016. Liverpool won the
Image credit: AFP
When Jurgen Klopp arrived at Anfield in October 2015 the Liverpool fans were promised an era of frantic gegenpressing and furious attacking football. Instead, Klopp’s reign has been defined by erratic form and numerous false dawns as the players gradually adapted to his highly demanding methods.
But the 5-1 mauling of Hull City is a genuine turning point for Klopp and Liverpool. As we approach the one year anniversary of his appointment things are finally starting to click, thanks largely to the benefits of a full pre-season with the squad and some astute new signings.
Liverpool fans are understandably hesitant in their praise, having witnessed their team tear apart the likes of Dortmund and Manchester City last season only to return to stodgy, disjointed performances the following weekend. This is because Liverpool’s gung-ho, ultra-fluid tactics have only been successful against similarly expansive sides – until now.
Hull City held just 28 per cent possession on Saturday, sitting in an ultra-deep defensive block that attempted to deny space in the final third. That Liverpool were able to pull them apart and win so emphatically suggests that this is an entirely different animal that appeared last season and in their only league defeat so far, at Burnley, which seems increasingly like an unlucky anomaly.
Here are four tactical changes Liverpool have made over the summer that explain their upturn in form.
1) Using James Milner at full-back has increased Klopp’s options in attack
The biggest tactical tweak from last season has seen Milner replace the error-prone Alberto Moreno at left-back. Milner’s natural instincts as a central midfielder have seen him largely drift infield during sustained periods of Liverpool pressure, providing additional defence against the counter-attack alongside Jordan Henderson.
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Liverpool's English midfielder James Milner (L) vies with Hull City's Egyptian midfielder Ahmed Elmohamady
Image credit: Reuters
This in turn means that Georginio Wijnaldum and Adam Lallana are free to roam higher up the pitch – giving Liverpool a five-pronged attack. This system is very similar to Pep Guardiola’s at Man City, where Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva supposedly operate as central midfielders but in reality float in the half-spaces far higher up the pitch.
Given that Klopp’s quick-fire counter-attacks rely upon swarming the central area of the attacking third, Milner’s ability to flit between left-back and defensive-midfield has significantly enhanced their creative threat.
2) Signing Wijnaldum has simplified Henderson’s role
Jordan Henderson’s tackling and intercepting statistics are at a career high this season (six per match) largely because he is playing a deeper role in 2016/17. Whilst the England international is undoubtedly technically gifted, he has occasionally shown positional indiscipline in the past – particularly when asked to play a box-to-box role.
Wijnaldum is significantly more effective at weaving through the middle of the pitch, and with Milner alongside him this leaves Henderson with a simpler protective role. He is quickly becoming a classic pivote for Klopp, calmly distributing from the base of midfield and always staying alert to stamp out the counter-attack.
3) Sadio Mane's directness draws players away from the centre
Mane has also proved to be a very good signing, injecting a power and speed into Liverpool’s attack that was largely absent last season - when Jordon Ibe performed this role with mixed results. Not only does he provide Liverpool with an alternative, less nuanced option in the final third (he already has three goals and one assist this season) but Mane’s movement also pulls defenders out of position.
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Liverpool's Senegalese midfielder Sadio Mane celebrates with Liverpool's English midfielder Adam Lallana (up) after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Leicester City at Anfield in Liverpool, no
Image credit: AFP
Fearful of his speed, Mane stretches the pitch by drawing opponents towards him, which creates more space in that key central area. Klopp’s Liverpool have been remarkably well synchronised this season in their decoy runs and shuttle movements towards the ball, creating numerous chances in a superbly flexible system. Mane has indirectly played a crucial role in the implementation of Klopp’s philosophy.
4) Firmino looks the part as a false nine
Roberto Firmino was listed as a striker on the team sheet against Hull and yet had just nine touches of the ball inside the penalty area. Nevertheless his jinking runs and intelligent one-touch passing were vital in handing Liverpool early control, whilst his constant vacating of the centre-forward spot caused mayhem in the Hull defence.
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Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho celebrates scoring their fourth goal with Roberto Firmino
Image credit: Reuters
The false nine is a notoriously difficult position to defend. Centre-backs are unsure whether to track the forward as he drops deep (leaving a big hole in the defence) or stand their ground (allowing the forward to receive the ball in space). Curtis Davies struggled desperately, managing just two interceptions all game – down from a season average of seven.
5) Fitness aids Klopp mantra: attack is the best form of defence
Liverpool have been notably more proficient at winning the ball back quickly in the opposition half this season, partly because the above tactical changes have given their formation more balance and partly because they appear better drilled – and more physically fit – than after a pre-season with Brendan Rodgers.
Furiously hounding down the ball when it is lost was a key reason for their relentless success against Hull at the weekend. It is too early to say with confidence, but Liverpool appear to be improving defensively.
If Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho can keep up their excellent form and Ragnar Klavan and Joel Matip settle quickly, there is nothing stopping Liverpool – now a fully functioning Jurgen Klopp team – being surprise title contenders this season.
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Alex Keble – on Twitter: @alexkeble
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