There have been so many occasions this season where a goal scored against us hasn’t necessarily come directly from the LF position (Trent’s side), but from Trent being so far forward that its forced our CB to come wide to cover that space, leaving a tremendous gap in the middle that Virg and Robbo have had to cover which so many teams have taken advantage of. In essence, to close off the space Trent leaves at RB, we offer the space instead in central areas. These are usually in transitional phases where Fab will have no chance of dropping back, especially knowing he really isn’t that quick.
Milner may be slow, and god knows he’s been burnt for pace numerous times when he’s played RB but he certainly isn’t as adventurous in that RB position which helps our shape immensely. That’s no knock on Trent. Its in his Job Description to get forward to provide width, an overlap and a direct avenue to making that final pass.
That’s of course the downside of Milner. We won’t have that attacking avenue from wide areas. Yes, Trent in the middle would add a bit more attacking flair from midfield, but I think its important to remember Trent’s favoured over-the-top balls won’t be anywhere near as effective from central areas. Forwards want and need angled lobbed balls. One because headers are much more effective when you have pace on them from a right-angle plus they are difficult to get on-target when the lob is coming directly onto goal direction, but also passing into space from a lob coming directly onto goal gives the keeper a massive advantage.
I don’t know if I managed to convey my message there effectively but for forwards, diagonal lobs or right-angle lobs (from corner) = good and lobs travelling goal to goal direction = bad.
This meant we had far more passing options in midfield to break the Arsenal press.
Out of possesion we went 442, the problem first half was the pressure all round the team was slow and passive, when we got into their faces we pushed 10 yards up field and made a contest of it. Konate being aggressive sweeping behind Trent made a huge difference, rather than holding hands with Van Dijk.
More of the same intensity please, I’ll be fucking livid if we don’t build on that 2nd half performance as it was exactly what I expect from any Liverpool team and I’m sure what Klopp does.
Over Fab? Yes. Are you seriously telling me Fab is faster than Millie? Only asking in case i need to make an appointment at Specsavers because it doesnt look that way to me.
PS i said Joe or Millie at a push, Joe would obviously be better for speed
I was thinking about dropping Fabinho. Hendo in his place, Jones RCM, Thiago LCM. But I think we need Hendo where he was and Thiago needs probably another week of training and minutes before starting. So let’s give that midfield another game from the start.
Will be interesting if we repeat the structure change in the build up phase with Trent coming in as the right sided double pivot.
This should finally be a game when we win and perhaps comfortably as well.
Craig Pawson isn’t too bad all things considered. I’m sure those who only watch for referee mistakes will have plenty of examples but he hasn’t obviously annoyed me.
Something like that, though the shape could look a bit different.
Firmino deserves to start, he’s much better than Gakpo. Nunez back in the centre, he and Salah have a decent understanding. Trent to be given more license as he was against Arsenal.
With Thiago and Trent in midfield and Nunez through the centre that should give us the option to play through Leeds or the direct ball over the top.
I think we might see our best away performance for some time here, it would be disappointing not to see us build on that second half vs Arsenal. Arsenal didn’t capitiulate like United, we battered a team that was performing really well. Should give us plenty of confidence for this.
