WhattaHit

Liverpool’s much-needed evolution: Klopp’s 3-2-2-3. Having played four games in a new system, the Reds look revitalized. But what exactly has changed and how has it made Liverpool better? And what can still be improved? Tactical Analysis Thread!

On current form, playing Mac Allister over Jones against this Arsenal team is criminal.

Isak has been truly poor since coming to Liverpool. A decline in athleticism and shocking in terms of movement and his ability to hold the ball up and make it stick. Funnily enough, Salah is elite at the latter two and would have been a good fit in this system off the right.

Questioning the decision to continuously play Gakpo over Salah in this four-midfielder line-up. Playing Salah on the right with one of Wirtz or Szoboszlai on the left feels a much better tactical fit, and would allow Kerkez to excel. Salah also a higher output ceiling than Gakpo.

Really good performance from Liverpool, especially off the ball. Good adjustments from Slot, I like that he used Gakpo as the 9 when Ekitike went off, rather than using Wirtz as the focal point like he has previously. The midfield and full backs were excellent, Salah lively.

Liverpool with a more aggressive pressing scheme & Szoboszlai in the spine have looked miles better vs Villa & now Madrid. They need to avoid becoming too vertical, as that game state will favour Madrid. Retain possession and pin Real back, chances will come. Jones on, if fit.

There’s definitely a lot of truth to this. PSG exploited this to perfection on route to winning the CL last season. One of the biggest reasons is that midfielders are often man-to-man and less likely to be left with space, whereas full backs can more easily escape from wingers.

He should be starting most games, or at the very least be ahead of Mac Allister in the pecking order. Five-man rotation in midfield and RB consisting of Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Gravenberch, Jones, and Bradley (Frimpong in certain game states, when fit). Mac Allister needs dropping.

This scenario is also a byproduct of Slot often being unwilling to commit a full back to the press and go man-to-man — which, in my opinion, Liverpool absolutely should do. They’re not gaining nearly enough out of possession at the moment. Too passive.

These actions were very promising. Wirtz showed a greater creative zone of influence with those through balls and the long cross, something which Liverpool lack with Trent gone. Wirtz will need to be a key creative force & I think he can be that with time.

Frequent rotations and more off-the-cuff and spontaneous movements & interplay are the evolution of a team. These are things you rely on more when the team is well-drilled & the players know each other. But this first needs a reliable base. It’s up to Slot to provide this base.