Is Liverpool's Alexander-Arnold experiment working?

[@MagicianCamille]

Very suspicious that we didn't get to see John's shoes. Was he even wearing them? How can I believe anything in this video?

[@AdamOBrien29]

There needs to be a John foot cam at all times

[@nolikeygsomnipresence270]

@@AdamOBrien29 Why are we settling for anything less than a 24-hour Twitch John's shoes' feed?

[@kingjohnny9532]

😂

[@agostonpad4183]

I think he should play the exact opposite way: he should start in the midfield then should move to the wing to give his crosses. Then they can sign a defensive rb who can play as thirs cb (like pavard) and robertson can play as the wingback he is. The problem is that then they must play with a double pivot, with mcallister and thiago, and a false nine with szoboszlai or gakpo, wich means that they will lose and attacker and elliot will recieve almost no minutes

[@sreejithps2566]

So true bro it's exactly what made Trent so good. If we commit to the flying fullbacks strategy then we should put a lot of trust into it. There should be no half measures. If Trent goes wide then make full use of it. Be lethal to an extent that opp teams should gamble to commit more players down that wing. That's exactly what we did in 2018-19, teams never got to exploit Trent that much because of the intensity upfront. If they commit too much they'll get cooked on the wings. That's exactly what we should do right now. Be brave, no half measures and bring back heavy metal football.

[@josiahjose734]

Facts bro

[@azalikmar2]

Yea this can work, i think Liverpool should just drop gakpo or jota and put in that new defender instead. Jota and Gakpo dont press effectively at all now for some reason, and Salah also gets to move around more

[@BloodRedLFC]

the problem when Trent & Robbo were flying on the wings is oppoenent teams have found this out and either mark them out of the game or flood the defending box from their crosses. Klopp first countered this by moving Trent narrower to the middle, shifting Salah wider and only Robbo flying on the left. This allows trent to help providing more penetrative passes in the midfield. Last season, we saw a more elaboration of this tactic where Trent became a 2nd no. 6 on ball possession and it worked very well. For this season, imo Klopp should continue this system but we need a specialist no. 6 to partner Trent and a new LCB. If Liverpool did badly this season, problem is not Trent or system but lack of new personnel (which we are seeing with Caicedo & Lavia saga).

[@filipnielsen1000]

I think playing Trent as more of an 8/10 with MacAllister and a real no. 6 would work really well. Liverpool’s full-backs are world class attacking but have defensive lacks. I do trust that Klopp knows how to exploit their strengths without exposing their weaknesses too much. But I think playing Trent as a right-sided 8/10 would really unleash him. He’s their most creative player and is sort of wasted so far back. The only strength he can exploit is his long passes

[@iandavies7991]

I think Alexander Arnold is a lot like Beckham. If he was playing 20 years earlier he’d just be a right midfielder end of story

[@zupinbansal]

​@@Craig-f6mwho hurt you😭😭😭

[@ConrrHD]

@@Craig-f6mHow many ug of Acid were you on when you made this comment lmao

[@festuswilliams654]

​@@Craig-f6mso what's a gluon, then?

[@M4NA5]

Liverpool need someone like Fabinho - a physical defensive midfielder who can act as 3rd CB when Liverpool are in-possession, with both Trent and Robertson drifting forward. Or Klopp needs to change his system and play 3 CBs at the back and either one of Trent/Robertson. Otherwise they’ll have disadvantage in the midfield and will keep leaking goals.

[@declanmcclelland]

Kalvin Phillips would be perfect

[@I_Am_The_Paulrus]

Is it too late to buy Fabinho back? 😬

[@Tridentus]

@@I_Am_The_Paulrus Fabinho was crap last season. I say that as a huge fan of his before then, but he was paperweight last season and unless something drastic changed I don't think he would even have been much use against Chelsea.

[@drex5160]

@@declanmcclelland actually makes sense. Pep might even do it to reignite his bromance with Klopp.

[@T.E.S.S.]

lol @@declanmcclelland

[@azalikmar2]

Jota didnt press for some reason, gakpo was confused because of chelseas formation, and robo is suffering. TAA also gets attracted to the ball too much, so he leaves so so so much space on the right and Konate has to cover everything. If we have another midfielder in place of Gakpo or Jota we should be fine, because we need another guy that knows how to win the ball back

[@swanlee6077]

caicedo… not

[@Ibrahim-nf6yh]

@@swanlee6077Joke man. Caicedo will flop at Chelsea cuz of the mess and uncertainty that they have. Poch is an average manager. Poch lost a European cup to Liverpool 4 years ago so other than offering more money Chelsea won’t be able to attract players that will want to play for the badge. Liverpool will look for a DM and finish above Chelsea cuz Klopp is more proven and has been more successful than Pochettino who flopped at spurs/PSG and bottled a farmers league title to nice 2 years ago.

[@super_organist]

​@@Ibrahim-nf6yhBut the Trent experiment is not working?He can't defend properly. All the chelsea goals came from him not positioning properly. He continues to cost Liverpool goals.If Liverpool don't get a proper and no nonsense right back,Trent will continue to cost them matches,so how are they gonna finish in the top 4 then?When klopp loves him so much he doesn't wanna give him competition?

[@xnlyxn9862]

@@Ibrahim-nf6yhYou think man city are able to get players who play for the badge? No and here we have them winning trebles.

[@Jack_Sparroww_09]

​@@Ibrahim-nf6yhLiverpool insulted Lavia by going all in for Caicedo who already had agreement with Chelsea. Then going back to Lavia gave him the opportunity to pay back the insult. As simple as that. Give respect, take respect. Coming from a Liverpool fan. But I'd rather have Bajcetic than Lavia. We need a big experienced DM. We've got enough ball players

[@finding_aether]

One of the reason why Arsenal and Man City get to "cheat " with the inverted fullback is because their wingers like Grealish, Saka, Silva and Martineli have very good work rate and are very willing to track back and defend. Liverpool's wingers will need to support the defense more if the system is to work.

[@IncredibleMet]

Good luck asking Salah to be selfless for the team…

[@ashwinkumar6275]

@boyuwxyz Exactly. Salah is an inside forward and not a true winger. Inverting trent and konate staying back leaves a big space on the right flank

[@Sempapax]

@@ashwinkumar6275saka is also a inverted winger that tracks back anyways. So no excuse… well, I mean he is pretty old nowadays. They should maybe find a younger hardworking right inverted winger

[@asddonn]

The reason it works for city is there wide players stay wide Liverpool's wide players want to score goals so don't want to be out wide

[@Tridentus]

@@ashwinkumar6275 Henderson used to do 2/3 of his work on that right side making up for Salah and Trent. As soon as Elliott went in there last season you could see it falls apart without him doing that- and it has to be a specific type of player to do that role like Hendo did it.

[@sfh7371]

Worked at the end of the season when Fabinho was here. Fabinho gone and its not working. Get the man a DM.

[@truckyrotwk]

I enjoy how JJ's hair is Jon's beard and JJ's stubble is Jon's hair.

[@notfunny007]

Yin and yang

[@sreejithps2566]

Nobody is getting the point at all here. We have to remember the fact that an 18- 19 year version of Trent who didn't even care about defense got us to champions league finals. Nobody had a complaint about Trent then, the fact is that he only got better overall after that. It's the way Liverpool play that have changed. Klopp was ruthless with his heavy metal philosophy back then there were no half measures. If Trent is going wide upfront then he stays there for more time than expected and klopp was confident that hendo or fabinho would force a turn over and has the advantage of Trent being upfront along with salah. The dilema that most opp team had back then was should they commit more players in that wing but get exposed behind for a run in by Trent or salah. Teams didn't do that because Liverpool were lethal on transitions. Liverpool forgot the brave way of playing and is less confident on the high line. Half measures don't work in this style of play

[@bimanatawilaga7509]

i'd say the time when they lose Gini and Henderson started to have father time, that's when TAA started to get expose with they way Liverpool formation looks like. And it become nightmare when Fabinho also declined (or having bad season?), the defense getting more and more exposed.

[@IncredibleMet]

They weren’t being exposed because the press worked incredibly well. Then Fabinho could mop up loose balls or have easier time recovering the ball because the pass could only go one way and it had to be perfect. He would also foul far from the box so no yellow cards.

[@isaac7272]

Haha back then liverpool possesion are like 70%. Now it become 30-40%. Time already changes. Its obvious what is happening

[@royvandermarel3953]

Fully agree with you here. Hendo and Milner didn't have the legs anymore, which had Fabinho covering too much ground and he faded because of this as well. The high-high press is gone and Robbo and Trent aren't given enough time to get back in position. None of the replacements for Mané have managed to press or recover as much as he did, as well.

[@randomperson7445]

This. 100% agree

[@timmy5876]

we need a dm who can also play centre back for the system to thrive. Fabinho wasn’t great last season but i’d like to have him now because he’s also a good centre back and can drop in if needed, some dm’s we’re looking at can’t play centre back well so when trent’s caught up the pitch it could be tricky

[@jackolantern7342]

I like this idea. A big strong DM who's good in the air also.

[@xerikl]

It's looking like we won't get a midfielder full stop. Spending that money on Jude doesn't seem like such a bad idea now

[@timmy5876]

@@xerikl come on we’re deffo signing a dm, it might be someone as bad as tyler adams but it’ll be someone for sure

[@xerikl]

@@timmy5876 it'll be a last minute panic buy like Arthur Melo

[@BSMAG87]

I think there's a fella called Caicedo that would be perfect ;) KTBFFH

[@oidrordio]

I mean it has worked towards the end of last season. We went on a run of wins after we altered the formation, Trent playing in that inverted full back position.

[@ronanfitzpatrick1261]

Thing is, if there are underlying flaws it may just have taken teams that time to work it out - didn't know at the time if was just a tactical tweak for a game or two or something more permanent at the start, so may have been some lag in preparing for it

[@oidrordio]

@@ronanfitzpatrick1261 I think the biggest missed opportunity was the fact that we didn’t sign a 6 in time for a full pre season. Would’ve been nice to see them adapt first before getting involved in league games.

[@ronanfitzpatrick1261]

​@@oidrordioIt might have helped solve a few problems alright

[@ECMdam]

The point of this entire video is that it’s not working now based on the first game, because based on that run of wins teams have digested Liverpool’s new system and figured out how to exploit its weaknesses, and based on Liverpool’s recruitment over the summer, it’s no longer necessary for him to invert in the same fashion because they should have found new solutions in their deep build up.

[@sreejithps2566]

Klopp should stick with his way of playing the attacking wide fullbacks which brought him all his success. This inverted fullback thing only works with teams like city or arsenal. The style of play and players are different here. The mistake klopp did to counter Trent problem was to force Trent to be in more defensive positions which was the moment Trent start getting exploited. But the real problem was hendo and fabinho loosing their legs to cover Trent. Trent upfront was the biggest problem for opposition deal than exploiting the gap behind. It's said that attack is the best defense which exactly what klopp has been doing before but klopp has lost his ways. You cannot be scared of defense and play the heavy metal football. Once you commit then trust the system. Klopp is switching too much between and is facing the dilemma to go back to old ways or be passive.

[@curtisbullock9739]

Technical - tactical - fun. Not always in that order. That’s what makes a good tifo video, and this was a good one!

[@tdyerwestfield]

Liverpool don't have enough players. Sold all DMs despite playing with a DM, play with 3 centre backs but only have 2 good centre backs. Sold 9 first team squad players, brought in 2. This has been the most incompetent window we've had since replacing Suarez with Lambert & Borini.

[@duran9664]

At times, Trent & Zobo seemed didn’t know where to stand or move 🤦‍♀️ They almost crashed with their teammates few times🤦‍♀️

[@asparagusbrown]

I think so much depends on the DM they get - this is all great analysis but I think this wasn't the game that will best demonstrate the system because Klopp seemed to make sure that compactness was there in midfield to mitigate the lack of a DM. I think ideally Trent will have a lot more freedom to get forward and drift when there's someone who can be reliably tasked with acting as a central pivot. In pre season and the end of last season he'd roam towards any space he could be dangerous. I think until they have a DM he's going to try to support more centrally which isn't his strength.

[@ErnoAlias]

Yup. This is one of the reasons why Endo was bought.

[@DudeSilad]

What a daft question. He moved into that position with ten games to go, beginning with the draw against Arsenal. We never lost another game. As the cliche goes, results speak for themselves. Against Chelski who smothered the midfield with 5 players, he wasn't able to dictate the play from deep as he was mostly staying out wide. And he did a very good job out there. One of his better performances defensively for a long while. There will be games like that where he has to stay out wide but against most teams, he will rip them apart.

[@nik8468]

i agree, trent was better defensively for the last match. i hope he keeps it up

[@DudeSilad]

@@nik8468 Hopefully. Chelski did all their damage on the other side. Chillwell is a quality player though but Trent pretty much kept him quiet. Maybe making him vice-captain has made him think more about his positioning.

[@jeewa7114]

Wouldn't use that game as to much of a reference. Klopp took a gamble playing jota and gakpo and it didn't work well. He should've started Jones over jota and had gakpo play upfront. He changed the formation with his subs which evened the game out a bit

[@nik8468]

i agree, the first 30 min we were amazing and then the last 20 or so minutes after the subs came one with jones and then elliot and doak. we looked a bit better and stable defensively apart from the last chelsea counter.

[@pozsoz]

All the troubles for one player, a team's system shouldn't be so compromised by the obsession of having a single player do whatever he wants, unless you're talking about prime Messi or something like that. TAA is good for passing but he is not a good RB, just get a real RB and play TAA as a RM or RCM where he doesn't have as much defensive responsibilities and get a real defender to play as RB. Most opponent goals come from that right flank, it's too much of a weakness to let it continue like that.

[@ahmedhosny353]

If Klopp still needs TAA in midfield to spray those creative passes, then what did he bring Szoboszlai and Mac Allister for? do they actually fit around TAA in his inverted role? I see some overlapping not complementing each other.

[@kevinlane6339]

They need to just make Trent a cm already. Gakpo was invisible in the midfield, sob and macallister looked solid.

[@danieljose-tz2fj]

I think Taa and Robertson shud b in the wingback role. And instead of a Cdm, klopp can opt for a 3 4 3 formation. Give the 40million to sporting Lisbon and use inacio as Lcb. This will give Liverpool balance in attack and defence.

[@safebans1369]

Apart from the fact that a 343 would either 1. Leave our midfield overran every game because most teams are now starting with a box 4 and we'd only have a double pivot or 2. You start Szobo and Gakpo in the front 3 to make a box 4 and leave out 3 of Salah, Nunez, Jota and Diaz

[@danieljose-tz2fj]

If we use 3 4 3 we can dominate possession with szobo and macca. This myt prevent midfield being overrun

[@BloodRedLFC]

the problem when Trent & Robbo were flying on the wings is oppoenent teams have found this out and either mark them out of the game or flood the defending box from their crosses. Klopp first countered this by moving Trent narrower to the middle, shifting Salah wider and only Robbo flying on the left. This allows trent to help providing more penetrative passes in the midfield. Last season, we saw a more elaboration of this tactic where Trent became a 2nd no. 6 on ball possession and it worked very well. For this season, imo Klopp should continue this system but we need a specialist no. 6 to partner Trent and a new LCB. If Liverpool did badly this season, problem is not Trent or system but lack of new personnel (which we are seeing with Caicedo & Lavia saga).

[@danieljose-tz2fj]

@@BloodRedLFC I think klopp used box midfield to get more managers use that system. And then he can just use Trent and robbo to bomb crosses exploiting the box midfielders

[@BloodRedLFC]

@@danieljose-tz2fj yes Klopp move Trent to midfield from RB is to form that box midfield to dominate opponent in the middle. To make box midfield successful then you need 2 wingers who are good 1v1 against opponent FB because there's the point of box midfield, to give your wide players 1v1 against FB. Trent & Robbo are not these kind of wide players in this system.

[@datedwizard989]

I feel like this system is done to help get the best of Trent but it’s at the sacrifice of so many people around him. Konate is now having to play between 2 positions, Robertson isn’t a center back, Salah is losing out on someone to help him on the right. If this experiment is going to have any chance at working an actual dm & left sided center back are needed.

[@nvgirl1807]

End of last season when Trent in midfield everything went thru him which played to his strengths, vision, passing accuracy and speed of pass. Now Klopp is still moving him into mid field but all the play going thru Alexis, who with the best will in the world isnt as good as any of those things and Trent is by passed , standing around completely wasting his talent. Should either play him as RB or as main play maker.

[@Jur1_00]

I've not watched the video yet but from last game the person that is going to suffer more from this new style is Robertson. He is much better going forward than he is defending and if Trent is going to invert he has to stay back to form the back 3 and that just doesn't suit him plus they are wasting him by not letting him do what he does best

[@jackolantern7342]

I really get the vibe that LFC really plays like they should be in 3-5-2. 3 CBs + Trent and Robbo as Wingbacks. You still get the width to support the forwards and a compromise between the outsides and wingbacks with regards to total space to cover.

[@Jur1_00]

@@jackolantern7342 I agree

[@sca6014]

I am glad that someone has finally put this vid out! The short answer is No! Trent does not have the defensive awareness to react when out of possession and also the way we play this system we seem to not understand that the game is fluid and can change in a heartbeat! It works better when you have a natural RB or LB who's naturally instinct is their position and to defend...Trent is extremely lazy in making sprints either back into position or to cover Konates position once he goes to cover Trents space. But the situation is compounded by not having the DM because naturally he would Konate and then Trent could take up a position at DM. Ultimately it doesn't work because trents anticipation of attacking threats is poor and leaves the defence exposed!

[@philipmeisterl]

It feels like arnold doesnt have a position but everybody says hes so good so he has to play when in reality they actually lose a lot of good things because hes not good enough a defender to play full back or rb but hes not better than the midfielders they have to really be a big advantage there

[@MrJermson]

I agreed with everything you said. Top post. Trent really need to buck up. I am not surprised if we play better without him.

[@kanopie7390]

Hopefully being vice captain will raise his all round performance

[@slushyrh]

I’ve been saying this for years but put TAA in DM and sign a proper RB. TAA has potential to become a player like Xabi Alonso

[@olodiandrew219]

Kloop is stubborn.

[@olodiandrew219]

Play trent as a 8, sign pavard.

[@chiefnkosi7705]

That's a huge exaggeration.

[@tatendamapisire1597]

Midfield is not only about passing. Its also about running on and off the ball. If Trent barely works or put in the yards at RB, don't think he'll put in the yards in midfield

[@samumabuza6762]

I could be wrong but i think trent should permanently be an 8. As we now play a back 3, it's probably better to discard a highline and play balanced football. We need a new cdm as Bajcetic is yet to be fit (preferably older experienced who will mentor Bajcetic like Palhinha). Bajcetic, though, has proven to be good defensive as a 6 and Szoboszlai was superb in marking and winning ball back. Hence, a balanced 3-3-1-3 (or a diamond 3-4-3) may be ideal with Bajcetic and szobo helping defensively when trent slacks or Robbo overlaps. Alisson Konate Virgil Robbo Bajcetic Trent A-A Szoboszlai Mac Allister Salah Gakpo Díaz

[@Do27gg]

Been saying this for months, he should convert to a midfielder. Why make him defend and hold him back, when he can play make almost on kdb’s level?

[@Topolinho]

Liverpool just don't have the personnel to play in that system. As good as Robertson is as a wingback he can't play the Semi CB role that is required from him now. Newcastle for example have Dan Burn playing as a fullback strictly to allow Trippier to be more involved. You wouldn't want to take away from Robertsons abillity just to get Trent into midfield when he's brilliant everywhere he plays.

[@NewscorpPhoneHackingDepartment]

I think it’s also because for (minimum) 12 months Trent has visibly not wanted to play rb.

[@richarddunne9802]

Henderson wasn't always the most spectacular player but his positional awareness and ability to cover that right side when Trent went forward has been crucial to all of our success, as was Fabinho's ability to play as a thrid CB before his form went down the toilet. So we've removed those two defensive covers for his limitations and added absolutely nothing. We've taken one major, ongoing defensive issue and exposed it further. Playing him further forward definitely adds to our attacking game, but only if you sign an RB, a DM, and, ideally, another CB. Instead, we've sold three players who can play DM (Fabinho, Henderson, and Milner, who can also play RB) and brought in no defensive players. It's absolute madness and we are acting like complete amateurs. We used to go toe to toe with City. Now, as a club, we are choosing to be in the 3rd-7th place tier, while City and Arsenal make decisive moves in the transfer market, building from a position of strength. It's baffling.

[@charliegrimes4197]

I made this exact point on redmen TV the other day! Liverpool have 2 world class 8's now, that's exactly the reason we went away from the 433

[@CezrDaPleazr]

I wonder if Liverpool switched to a 3-4-3 with Arnold in midfield if it would be better in the long run

[@mermanfiasco]

If a CDM comes in, who drops out? Otherwise couldn't they play a 3412, with one of the CB stepping up, and TAA as wingback who sometimes pulls into midfield, with Diaz and Salah wide forwards...?

[@cederiquevossius6037]

probably jota/gakpo so macca can play where gakpo played against chelsea

[@kd5973]

Well they’ve gone unbeaten in 12 competitive matches (as many as he’s played in that position) and don’t have a DM. Video seems a bit premature considering their squad is incomplete. How can you judge if it’s working when they played without a proper DM on Sunday? In a game that’s always notoriously rubbish and basically like a derby.

[@BigPeeOfficial]

It's not premature

[@9DayTsunami]

Great video! It's seems like the audio level is quite much going up and down, maybe consider using a compressor to make the audio level a bit more even. Apart from that, love the analysis!

[@aka_jr]

It feels like so much money to spend to make TAA “work” when it seems like he should have just been playing at RCM in a 3. It’s quite interesting that Southgate has now tried him there twice in England before Klopp has really given it a go; and with that being said, the Szobozlai signing seems really superfluous. Surely the money should have gone into a Florentino Luis, Ibrahim Sangare or Edson Alvarez?

[@NewscorpPhoneHackingDepartment]

They clearly have a big reserve budget anyway though? They just choose to spend it conservatively.

[@igorwaliszewski1153]

For me liverpool should try play 4231, with macalister sth like goretzka role, taa and robo high, szobo cam with front diaz nunez salah

[@amosmungai304]

The only solution to get the best out of Trent and still have good defensive cover is to bench Robertson, get a new CB like Inacio who doesn't need to play up as high so Trent can come in field and do damage with creative passes. They then get a DM who wins the ball out of posession and disrupts opposition plays so that Szoboszlai and Mac can play wider with Diaz and Salah. So benching Roberston is the best thing to do for the inverted role to work and to concede less goals

[@drex5160]

If they play a back 3, then TAA can play as a wing back.

[@safebans1369]

And where does Salah start in a 343 then?

[@musix3197]

​@@safebans1369RW I guess

[@BloodRedLFC]

the problem when Trent & Robbo were flying on the wings is oppoenent teams have found this out and either mark them out of the game or flood the defending box from their crosses. Klopp first countered this by moving Trent narrower to the middle, shifting Salah wider and only Robbo flying on the left. This allows trent to help providing more penetrative passes in the midfield. Last season, we saw a more elaboration of this tactic where Trent became a 2nd no. 6 on ball possession and it worked very well. For this season, imo Klopp should continue this system but we need a specialist no. 6 to partner Trent and a new LCB. If Liverpool did badly this season, problem is not Trent or system but lack of new personnel (which we are seeing with Caicedo & Lavia saga).

[@shawn-ln4cr]

salah is a primary goal scorer.he liles going inside

[@safebans1369]

@@musix3197 which then leaves us massively outnumbered in midfield

[@edgarsamuelouma3430]

They should sign a player like lucas hernandez or alaba. Could fix the issues down the left

[@vwmusicplaylist1935]

Not IMO. Still big defensive gaps going on on that side as well as holes in the defensive mid position. The Trent experiment would work better if Liverpool had ball winners in midfield (which they currently don't).

[@paulwebster4499]

Just buy a proper rightback and play tent in the de buyrne position, job sorted. Its almost gemanic stubbornness a little like Totto wolf carrying on with the non competitive Merc.

[@lukeozade9957]

Simple solution. When liverpool get a proper cdm push mac and szobo up to create and use traditional trent again esp vs stonger sides that play open like we do. For safety. But against low blocks bring in trent to help break down those blocks.

[@gratefulkm]

Liverpool have not lost since the change and have the 2nd most points in all those games again as usual only behind city what you really need to ask and look at the data for is Ref decisons compared to all other teams The blatant handball by Chelsea not given and the blatant penalty not given against Manure is a good start

[@jacksonhunt8090]

I don't think TAA's access to that half space is restricted by him inverting. In deep build up, TAA won't access that halfspace high up the pitch whether he is inverted or not. Then when they have settled position in opposition half, he can drift into that halfspace, whether its from inverted position or out wider.

[@marty1459]

There has been one game this season so far and Trent didn't even play midfield. Over the last 10 games of last season he did play midfield and it worked great, just look at the run of results. I get it though, channels like this need to make mountains out of mole hills just make a video no matter how illogical it is.

[@Joe-og6br]

Exactly. Channels are here to make money.

[@tituschalk]

The one positive I saw on Sunday was that Szobozlai seems to have the work rate and understanding to get back and cover for TAA. Although whether that’s the best use of him is also debatable. In fact - hasn’t he been bought to play through balls from in the half spaces? Shouldn’t this encourage Klopp to play TAA out wide again? If he could defend… it all seems like a bit of a mess.

[@RL-]

Exactly. It's great that Szoboszlai is willing to work hard, but he's the kind of advanced player you use to create through the middle. Why is everyone moved around just to let Alexander-Arnold play low percentage balls when he could just do that from out wide? Many of the player choices or the positions they take up make no sense.

[@super_organist]

Slobo shouldn't be going wide for Trent.Thats his job.let him play 8 and Trent stay in his rightful Rb position

[@super_organist]

Looking at that great run from Slobo in the second half

[@markpotter544]

As a short term solution, liverpool may need to play with 3 at back, to get best out of aging van dijk (kind of like thiago silva at chelsea), so left sided defender may be needed, Robertson is better going forward

[@Boondokker]

experiment or not. Sporting director Schmadtke has proved that the Premier League is a size too big for him. The whole department failed miserably at recruiting and securing contracts.

[@super_organist]

He was hand picked by Klopp.Shouid never be

[@Boondokker]

@@super_organist Klopp will be gone by Christmas

[@mikolak-ja]

Guys, you materials are so great - keep up a good work!

[@JR44444]

Well, they still have Thiago as an amazing progressive passer from a deeper position. Play TAA on the right (actual right back) and let him push up alternatingly with Robertson. Then let them invert as necessary or desired by creating the mentioned triangles with their winger and closest midfielder. That's the obvious solution that works from Sunday League to Premier League.

[@HerbalMCFC]

Really depends on the game and the opponent. I can see him being more stationary could benefit him and the team. But when he succeeds with being more central, he's damn good. He sure got potential. But he's relying on the team to have a good day and with a proper DM and something to the defence it's hard for Liverpool to keep a attack going. Their midfield just gets manhandled and it's a problem.

[@classiccafe4128]

TAA's super power is crossing and overlapping from wide areas, any formation and pattern of play which forces him away from wide areas in the final 3rd make him less effective on aggregate. TAA should be one of the players providing with.

[@franciscomatos6872]

They need a CDM in order to be more flexible mid game. Szo as an offensive 8, but mac allister can switch from an 8 to a 6 depending on trents positioning...because in most games liverpool dont even need trent in the midfield, him and robertson will be more effective out wide. They have a great squad, just lack that midfield option and maybe some depth on the full backs

[@khumeighalo406]

Yes, see Arnold isn't the problem ok maybe he is not the best one v one, of a very aggressive defender but still he makes tackles, he defends when necessary nd what he doesn't do in defense he make ups for it in attack (abundantly) ...Liverpool needs a new CB I don't know why pple ain't mentioning this, Liverpool are at their best when their fullbacks stays high up the pitch and create especially (Arnold) and once this happens u need quick legs at the back...Allison is quick enough for a goalkeeper, konate is obviously quick but van dijk isn't the same player he was 2 seasons yes he still good but he needs to realize that his place is also at risk, every player needs that

[@silverheart7964]

These players are MADE to play a back 3 with two wing-backs. Invert Trent into the centre to make the box midfield and Robertson goes outside on the left. Salah can come inside more when Trent stays wide, you get your triangles on the right and Salah can stay closer to goal and not get frustrated out wide hugging the touchline all game. You would then get Trent in slightly wider positions at times where he can cross which I think is his best quality. But they absolutely HAVE to buy a CDM with legs to cover the right hand side like Henderson used to, because Trent and Salah on the same side leave you so open. They also badly need a defender to play on the right side of the back 3 who will sit and cover for Trent on that side and nothing else, because Robertson is wasted on the left of a back 3.

[@ramblerrichie]

Totally agreed. Alexander Arnold should stay wild as RB in the buildup play. Until the ball crosses the half line, then he starts finding a chance to cut into the half-space. Or even later. Not start from the buildup play where at our own side. That creates so much chaos and is unnecessary.

[@MrJREllman]

I would play him as an inverted left-winger with a left-footed rampaging left-back doubling up and getting down the line to whip crosses in. That way, he can drift infield and play those passes and contribute defensively when required.

[@mikecurry213]

Liverpool feels like a very poorly assembled squad currently. They have some really good players that don't really fit together. And everyone in the Premier league to attack Trent and create good chances.

[@ghifarifajraganefianto1263]

I mean it worked well offensively but the right side of the defense is getting more exposed than usual, plus robbo likes going forward so putting him in LCB position isn't really utilising his full potential. Not only liverpool should sign a dmf but they also need to sign a RCB to cover the right side of the defense, this will allow trent to shift to midfield and allow robbo to roam free on the left side

[@Will-ik1cb]

We've averaged 2.3 ppg since we made the switch, not a massive sample size, but certainly enough games to show it is working.

[@TheAnfieldLark]

Watching our preseason it doesn't work well in defence. If we buy a LCB and a CDM it would probably be better to just start as a back 3 rather than keep rotating this formation.

[@shlee7626]

what is the name of app they are using for explanation of tactics?

[@66meikou]

IMHO, Liverpool should get another left back. Stick with three in the back. Move Robbo and TAA up to midfield. You then have Macca, Slobo, Robbo, TAA and then either Gakpo or Jota. I'm still not convinced on Nunez. This would then leave Mo and Diaz up front. I think with 5 in the midfield being able to rotate and swap whos the pivot is more flexible and still provides the bodies in that area to stop the oppo going through midfield. Just my thoughts. I'm fine with getting pelters.

[@panchopuskas1]

No. Next question......why not get a real RB, play 4 at the back and let Zobo (is that what we're going to call him now?) and Alli and TAA run the midfield? OK, I'm no expert, but it seems the logical thing to do...... While we're at it, what do people think of Klopp preferring Gakpo instead of Darwin ?

[@montigol]

Problems have been apparent since they started doing last season. Playing left-footed (and one-footed) Elliott in the right-side 8 also always forced Salah too wide out to the touch line. LFC should play Gomez (or new recruit) at RB and move Trent to Hendo’s old role or part of a double pivot. Inversion feels like slavish devotion to the latest tactical fashion, doesn’t suit Robertson at all, and is so dependent on Ibou’s incredible athleticism.

[@manunandela]

They need a defensive destroyer, Lavia or Paulhina would be good as they can shift in the central defense role similar to what Fabinho did when he was at his prime.

[@dylangreen4817]

Literally all we need is a DM that can drop into the back 3 when Trent konate or Robbo push out or buy a left sided centre back and drop Robbo so we actually have a solid base

[@jamesseatonnnn]

That Nuke the Whales T shirt ❤️ What a reference

[@stehill6543]

I think the Alexander-Arnold solution is to play him as a 6 and bring in a more defensive RB like Pavard, Mukiele or Rensch. This frees up Robertson to promote his strengths and gives Konate and Van Dijk more support meaning they have less ground to cover.

[@ericthekop9624]

Trent. 😍😍

[@timmy5876]

szoboszlai has looked good in every game he’s played so far so he’ll be a good signing but it does limit trent’s chances of playing in midfield, i don’t think trent is good enough defensively to play as a dm so you’ll have to play him as an 8 and if u do that u drop one of ur new signings. Ideally we would’ve signed dumfries or someone with that profile to play behind trent as the right 8. Playing against bottom half of the table teams it’ll benefit us with him playing inverted like when we needed a goal against arsenal the system was great but against top teams it’ll be a weakness

[@ct6548]

Please do a video on why Liverpool signed Endo Wataru. What is he good at and what does he bring to Liverpool? Reports say he has great energy and a leader, but I’d love to know how he compares statistically.

[@collinmoeller1345]

I feel like Liverpool may need to just transition away from Robertson and their wing hugging overlapping left back tactics to make this TAA experiment work. He’s 29 and levels are dropping anyway, and a player who could still create but would be very comfortable one on one defending and dropping into a back 3 would really help with the defensive issues that Trent poses in his new role. That said this does nothing to solve the issue with TAAs new role isolating salah on the wing more and reducing the left backs offensive output wouldn’t help the offense either, so not sure in the net effect of such a change.

[@stuckupcurlyguy]

Sadly I think that Trent is the kind of player that the game is passing by. Pure 10s like Kaka, Ozil, Dele Alli, Coutinho and James Rodriguez can't get a game any more. Unless you're someone like Messi, Mbappe, Neymar or Ronaldo, you can't get away with having defensive deficiencies in the modern game. Now we're seeing the same thing happen to Liverpool's flying wing backs and it's easier said than done to reposition. Trent looks good at the moment because he is given so much time and space in midfield but I think teams will find out how to play him there as well, likely by pressing him harder.

[@rosslogan4154]

They didn't cover THE main issue and that's when Liverpool don't have the ball and TAA reverts back to right back and has to defend. Unfortunately TAA's positional sense is poor and he is terrible and picking up the individual he should be marking. The number of goals last season we gave away because Trent had no idea where the guy he was supposed to be marking was on the pitch is worrying. This also happened in the Champions League final against Real Madrid. Running back to defend he didn't look back once to see where Vinicius Jr. was. When the cross came in Vinicius was no where near him and scored completely unchallenged.

[@jackolantern7342]

Solid analysis. We have Szobos and Macca who can pass/carry the ball. We don't need Trent to do this as much as before. I didn't see Szobos and Macca's offensive and passing abilities addressed. Trent isn't the only creative person we have now. The whole match looked like a chaotic mess of wasted player potential while not addressing defensive issues. Have the coaches lost the script already?

[@renzolo87]

Buy s CDM and a CB and try 3 4 3, having Zsobo and TTA like spare Wmans when deffending. They have great stamina and can di the job.

[@Airwane]

what app are they using ?

[@theLonelyBandit6984]

Liverpool just had to buy a RB, but all summer they kept looking at CDM (now they have lost both targets to Chelsea). Now just go and buy Pavard and get a CDM in January of get Stephan playing regularly and let Dominik and Trent and Mac and Jones fight for those two remaining slots

[@kallinan]

Great breakdown! But what I really want to know is, what app are JJ & Jon using?

[@huubhuijbens8816]

I've seen in 3-2-4-1, it could be a champion winning tactic if all the position have good players. Are Liverpool still going to be active in the transfermarkt?

[@brianlynch2260]

These kinds of videos would work a lot better if you put the tactics board players in the positions that they generally took up when in a certain situation. Not just CFC in one half and LFC in the other half. Show how LFC actually set up in possession in CFC half of pitch.

[@hayek77ishida76]

How can you also play with 3 at the back without wingers that stick to the touchline and wide. Either rwb or wingers that do that. Its so weird. 3 at the bacn with a box 4 in front of then and winters that rather attack. It feels like klopp is litterally trying everything possible to make arnold a midfielder while still be a RB. Our whole system needs to adapt and other players need to suffer for this. We spreken up with buying midfielders. We should have put arnold at 8 and splash for a 6 and mcallister, and a propper RB

[@silenaito]

if liverpool really want to go this route, Salah is not going to work well in it, especially in the triangle thingy, it is better for him to go now while the value is still high, and liverpool can invest to stabilize the team more.

[@brunolinharesmiranda]

No

[@silenaito]

@@brunolinharesmiranda back to the old system then with better personel

[@brunolinharesmiranda]

@@silenaito you can’t expect a world class team without world class players, and although Salah is not perfect, he’s the best player we got!

[@23davidian96]

I think what it affords Liverpool is the flexibility to play it in whatever games they want, once they sign a DM of course. Just that alone will stop teams being able to combat the classic 433 like they have been the past 2 seasons.

[@shahinyoussef08]

A good CDM and everything is solved. He’ll cleaning up the midfield while he could also act like a 3rd cb helping VVD and konate. While Trent and robo can keep flying from the flanks doing what they do best. And with Szoboszlai and McAllister pairing up to provide dangerous chances and Nunez, Diaz and salah upfront with options like Gakpo and jota, I think we would actually have a chance at winning the premier league, just like that sweet 2018-2019 era. season. We just need a world class cdm asap.

[@hayek77ishida76]

Maybe anothrr idea is to get a new nr 6 that drops into RB when we dont habe the ball. Mcallister next to him as the double 6 when we have the ball. Arnold further forward together witj szobozlai.

[@UnbelievablyGauche]

I like the “are you wearing shoes? He’s wearing shoes” transition. Can you please experiment/play with the form more in future? We need a touch of surrealism again

[@firdausmuhammad3965]

it's obvious what Liverpool was lacking againts chelsea . the team in not balance, we're good in posseseion but out of posseseion we lack aggression and it made it worse when we put forward as 8 in this game, gakpo. we can't create momentum in posseseion when we don't have any cdm that can intercept and break the play to stop opposition momentum. i think gakpo as false 9 who ruin thus chelsea low block. we can see how much space jota and nunez have the space between the line but they can't create or dribble liked gakpo or firmino can do

[@zScrotumify]

Im seriously even more hurt watching this after missing out on Caicedo because I know that all these can be easily solved when you have a world class CDM to mop everything up from midfield. Liverpool need to get a world class CDM or we won’t go far at all this season

[@hlockeyLFC7]

We are at times using it too much, I think it need to be a strategic thing. When we’re playing teams in the bottom half it’s fine but it puts a lot on konate, if that was matip I’d be very worried.

[@bangkokfreewalk5940]

Thank you Tifo Team!

[@bohansenboh]

For awhile now I thought TAA should fill the Henderson role. And honestly I don't understand why they got rid of Fabinho who is great in the single pivot or holding mid role. Then you can play Gomez at that RB position without losing any attacking threat. But what would be better in my opinion is if Liverpool got a holding LB or left sided CB, with some pace to buttress van Dijk's lack of pace, and have Konate play the RB position.

[@tatendamapisire1597]

That role requires a lot of running and Trent doesn't fit that profile

[@bohansenboh]

@@tatendamapisire1597 So you're suggesting that starting Trent further up the pitch would require more running? What makes you think that Trent would play the RCM position the way Jordan did? Also if you played Konate or Gomez at the RB position, wouldn't Trent have to do less running to get back on defense?

[@YoungMulaBaby808]

Bit of a rogue shout but I wanna know why Liverpool haven’t looked at Hojberg? he’d be the perfect no.6 and Spurs are willing to sell, he’s in his prime years which would allow the steady development of Bajcetic

[@spiritzen]

I don't think it's working - end of last season the hybrid role worked. As a RB he isn't good enough, and in midfield he doesn't have the physical strength needed for midfielders - his possession is weak.

[@johnmichaelson9173]

I kinda think Liverpool have embraced the we'll score more goals than you philosophy. While individual player's in defence will be targeted by the opposition, they only have to restrict goals conceded to something manageable. They don't have necessarily keep a clean sheet. I suggest the Bournemouth & Newcastle games as examples.

[@thatreformedguy]

I love this duo

[@marco_1909]

Trent's side gets alot of flack and rightly so. But something that has been a brewing disaster is that left hand side. Robertson has been in a sharp decline/tired or maybe complacent. I honestly fear attacks on the left more than the right nowadays

[@randomperson7445]

I completely agree with you guys here, thanks tifo!