The defeat last night to Paris Saint-Germain leaves Liverpool's Champions League hopes on the brink of destruction. Only a 1-0 win or by two goals over Napoli will ensure progress to the last 16. The loss yesterday also recorded a first in Liverpool's long European history - the first time The Reds have lost all three away games in the group stage. The ultimate factor has been Klopp's decision to change Liverpool's tactics.
Liverpool ever since Klopp's appointment have been the artists of gegenpressing. The counter-press was a fundamental part of their game that made them frightening to play against. But this season, there is no press to Liverpool's game. Klopp has decided the implement a more possession based control style of system. Whilst it has worked undeniably well in the league, given Liverpool are unbeaten thus far, it has not been a recipe for success away in Europe.
To start, the roles of the midfield have changed extremely. The midfield used to be the pressing engine, never giving their opponents any time on the ball making them unable to settle. Now, when you watch Liverpool, the midfield do literally nothing. The amount of times PSG were able to slice straight through the midfield and counter attack was unbelievable for a Liverpool team. It is down to the reserved style that has made the midfield trio of Henderson, Milner and Wijnaldum unable to cope. There is no creativity in those three but last year, even though there was still no creativity, their ability to press was enormous so the energy they brought to the midfield made up for the lack of creativity.
Roberto Firmino also seems a shadow of his former self because of the tactical switch. He was always a false nine striker, not staying up front but dropping deep to receive the ball. This year, because there is no press, he has lost the attribute that made him the striker we love to watch. He drops too far deep to get a sniff of the ball and because Mane and Salah do not interchange like they used to, Liverpool are too predictable so teams have been able to pick them off and counter. Like in Naples. Like in Belgrade. Like in Paris.
Klopp never changed the system at all. He saw how atrocious his side were against Napoli. No change. Liverpool managed to play even worse against Red Star. No change. Oh, and against PSG? NO CHANGE. He continued to play the same system away in Europe that has now yielded 0/9 points and put Liverpool almost out of the competition.
I'm not Klopp Out. I'm very much Klopp In. But he is not immune from criticism. The midfield three of Henderson, Milner and Wijnaldum should never play together again. The press needs to be reestablished into this side. The front three need to interchange which made them so difficult to play against last season. Gomez should not play right back again.
There have been lots of lessons learnt through just three Champions League games, and with just one remaining, I have every faith that we can get the job done. Only a win will do.
Liverpool ever since Klopp's appointment have been the artists of gegenpressing. The counter-press was a fundamental part of their game that made them frightening to play against. But this season, there is no press to Liverpool's game. Klopp has decided the implement a more possession based control style of system. Whilst it has worked undeniably well in the league, given Liverpool are unbeaten thus far, it has not been a recipe for success away in Europe.
To start, the roles of the midfield have changed extremely. The midfield used to be the pressing engine, never giving their opponents any time on the ball making them unable to settle. Now, when you watch Liverpool, the midfield do literally nothing. The amount of times PSG were able to slice straight through the midfield and counter attack was unbelievable for a Liverpool team. It is down to the reserved style that has made the midfield trio of Henderson, Milner and Wijnaldum unable to cope. There is no creativity in those three but last year, even though there was still no creativity, their ability to press was enormous so the energy they brought to the midfield made up for the lack of creativity.
Roberto Firmino also seems a shadow of his former self because of the tactical switch. He was always a false nine striker, not staying up front but dropping deep to receive the ball. This year, because there is no press, he has lost the attribute that made him the striker we love to watch. He drops too far deep to get a sniff of the ball and because Mane and Salah do not interchange like they used to, Liverpool are too predictable so teams have been able to pick them off and counter. Like in Naples. Like in Belgrade. Like in Paris.
Klopp never changed the system at all. He saw how atrocious his side were against Napoli. No change. Liverpool managed to play even worse against Red Star. No change. Oh, and against PSG? NO CHANGE. He continued to play the same system away in Europe that has now yielded 0/9 points and put Liverpool almost out of the competition.
I'm not Klopp Out. I'm very much Klopp In. But he is not immune from criticism. The midfield three of Henderson, Milner and Wijnaldum should never play together again. The press needs to be reestablished into this side. The front three need to interchange which made them so difficult to play against last season. Gomez should not play right back again.
There have been lots of lessons learnt through just three Champions League games, and with just one remaining, I have every faith that we can get the job done. Only a win will do.
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