WhattaHit

Semi-retired. Liverpool, mostly.

[WhattaHit @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!

[WhattaHit @WhattaHit]

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

[WhattaHit @WhattaHit]

@_BuxBeta His attacking movement has been really bad and unintelligent imo, which is part of the reason why he’s not gotten as many chances as he should. Though of course there are also other issues with the team, I don’t disagree with that.

[WhattaHit @WhattaHit]

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.

[WhattaHit @WhattaHit]

There’s also no reason to continue playing Gakpo over Salah, especially given that Liverpool’s left backs are tactically more suited to holding width than Bradley and Gomez, making Szobo or Wirtz LW a very viable option.

[WhattaHit @WhattaHit]

Leaving Salah on the bench two out of three games is terrible squad management. He hasn’t been good this season but tactics around him have been flawed & he’s still LFC’s most proven forward + talisman.

Salah’s interview was selfish but likely avoidable with better management.

[WhattaHit @WhattaHit]

And if they want to play in a mid block, then there must at least be consistent counter attacking threat, which Liverpool also haven’t had.

[WhattaHit @WhattaHit]

Liverpool’s current tendency to sit back when they get the lead is concerning. Not sure if it’s Slot’s instruction or psychological but it’s not what this squad is built for & it must stop.

[WhattaHit @WhattaHit]

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.

[WhattaHit @WhattaHit]

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.

[WhattaHit @WhattaHit]

@GarethNethery For Mac Allister at 60min.

[WhattaHit @WhattaHit]

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.

[WhattaHit @WhattaHit]

@AveryChenier IKF lead from third was horrendous.

[WhattaHit @WhattaHit]

@JohnnyGiunta_ IKF lead from third was so tiny, that didn’t help..

[WhattaHit @WhattaHit]

Lack of ball progression and a lack of bravery out of possession are two of the biggest problems. And the constant chopping and changing of the team, also from the bench.

Those all-out attacking changes from minute 60 onwards need to stop. There’s too much risk & chaos involved.

[WhattaHit @WhattaHit]

Liverpool should’ve placed a greater emphasis on improving their build-up over the summer, but they’re fine.

Building around a midfield core of Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Jones and Wirtz will help, and they will improve up front as they build chemistry.

[WhattaHit @WhattaHit]

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.

[Umir Irfan @umirf1]

Tweeted this before with something like the below in mind. In the current tactical climate, spaces in attack show up and can be exploited best by players starting at fullback, I really believe that.

[WhattaHit @WhattaHit]

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.

[Kieo @kieolfc]

This interview is brilliant. The confidence, the responsibility

He’s looking at this team thinking I can start in this side and make it better. And he’s right.

I love Curtis Jones

[WhattaHit @WhattaHit]

@hmhlfc Yes

[WhattaHit @WhattaHit]

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.

[Asim @asim_lfc]

Lob or throw it over Salah and you’re out of the Liverpool press. Lol #LFC

[WhattaHit @WhattaHit]

None of Robertson, Kerkez, Frimpong, or Bradley are at UCL standard in terms of their ability to build up. Add Konaté to that, who’s also sub-par, and you have a very weak ball-playing back four.

[WhattaHit @WhattaHit]

One underrated aspect of Arsenal’s many full back signings is all of them are comfortable on the ball & dynamic and therefore provide a strong base to build up.

This is an area where some of Liverpool’s defenders really struggle & it’s one of the reasons for LFC’s bad run.