Liverpool vs Chelsea
— Klopp’s Setup Without Salah & Trent
— Quick Tempo
— Pressing Intensity
— Enzo Fernandez’s Positioning
[THREAD]
— Klopp’s Setup Without Salah & Trent
— Quick Tempo
— Pressing Intensity
— Enzo Fernandez’s Positioning
[THREAD]
With Trent on the bench and Salah’s absence, Curtis Jones/Joe Gomez took turns to form a double pivot with Mac Allister.
Conor Bradley was positioned high on the right side, with Diogo Jota moving inside (mostly right halfspace).
Conor Bradley was positioned high on the right side, with Diogo Jota moving inside (mostly right halfspace).
When Gomez inverted + Bradley high, Szoboszlai dropped deeper to cover as the ‘RB/RCB’.
He has been tasked quite deep this season, often occupies the RB when Trent inverts, doing the dirty work for Trent — covering the wide spaces.
It’s good for his development in all phases of play.
He has been tasked quite deep this season, often occupies the RB when Trent inverts, doing the dirty work for Trent — covering the wide spaces.
It’s good for his development in all phases of play.
The left side constantly interchanging positions, especially between Jones and Gomez who provide the retention and defensive security for Diaz.
Jota operated between the lines, more involved in helping the progression while Nunez was up-front.
Jota operated between the lines, more involved in helping the progression while Nunez was up-front.
Liverpool tried to bait and stretch Chelsea’s 4-4-2/4-2-4 defensive block, their quick circulation and switches of play disrupted Chelsea's defensive marking.
Mac Allister found Jota here and performed quick combinations which then found the access to Nunez..
Mac Allister found Jota here and performed quick combinations which then found the access to Nunez..
Chelsea defended quite high but didn’t really press Liverpool, this gave access for Konate and Van Dijk to utilize their passing from deep.
From the start, their counter-press were already intense — forcing it through Chelsea’s defence and allowing them to sustain the pressure.
Liverpool pressed with a hybrid approach, with Palmer’s positioning between the lines while Gallagher was more advanced.
Palmer’s positioning was awkward for Liverpool (especially for Van Dijk) — he must decide whether to step up or not.
To cover that, Mac Allister stepped up and helped to cover the space between the lines.
When he drifted wide, one of the CBs (usually Konate) helped to mark the other players BTL (Gallagher).
When he drifted wide, one of the CBs (usually Konate) helped to mark the other players BTL (Gallagher).
At first, Chelsea were relying on the 2nd ball for the progression.
Palmer’s deeper positioning and Gallagher’s ball-winning could help that but Liverpool often recovered quickly and outnumbered them.
Palmer’s deeper positioning and Gallagher’s ball-winning could help that but Liverpool often recovered quickly and outnumbered them.
I think Mauricio Pochettino’s idea was to connect the play on the right with Palmer/Madueke while Sterling/Chilwell might get more space on the left side.
But this made Enzo not really involved in the build-up (positioned higher than Caicedo).
But this made Enzo not really involved in the build-up (positioned higher than Caicedo).
Chelsea looked far more comfortable in bypassing Liverpool’s press when Enzo was closer to them.
(Easier options for the CBs and Caicedo too)
(Easier options for the CBs and Caicedo too)
Chelsea attacked with a 4-3-3/4-1-5 to 3-1-6 with Chilwell overlapping to support Sterling, against Liverpool’s 4-1-4-1.
Enzo was also far higher than Caicedo in the attacking phase, sometimes dropped but mostly joining the last line of the attack.
Enzo was also far higher than Caicedo in the attacking phase, sometimes dropped but mostly joining the last line of the attack.
The space between the lines could be a problem for Mac Allister, so Liverpool forced Chelsea to attack the wide areas more so that it would be easier for him to cover the space.
When Chelsea attacked from the centre, Konate stepped up to help him.
The RCM (ex: Szoboszlai) stepped up to press the CB but no one supported it from behind which then created gaps, this was later attacked by Chelsea in their 1st goal)
When Chelsea attacked from the centre, Konate stepped up to help him.
The RCM (ex: Szoboszlai) stepped up to press the CB but no one supported it from behind which then created gaps, this was later attacked by Chelsea in their 1st goal)
Feels like Liverpool's 1st and 2nd goals are both avoidable with Enzo closer.
In Liverpool’s 1st goal, Chilwell couldn’t connect on the left side (heavy touch) and Liverpool took advantage of that to counter — this led to Jota’s goal.
Enzo’s high positioning meant that he couldn’t really help to recover.
In Liverpool’s 1st goal, Chilwell couldn’t connect on the left side (heavy touch) and Liverpool took advantage of that to counter — this led to Jota’s goal.
Enzo’s high positioning meant that he couldn’t really help to recover.
Meanwhile, in the 2nd goal, Liverpool could take advantage of Caicedo’s error (might help with Enzo closer).
This allowed Liverpool to switch play with Bradley offering the runs to attack the space on the right side.
This allowed Liverpool to switch play with Bradley offering the runs to attack the space on the right side.
As I’ve said above, Liverpool looked to bait Chelsea’s press and then eliminate it with quick circulation and switches of play.
Van Dijk had the time and space for his trademark ‘diagonal’ to Bradley on the right side — similar to his 1st goal.
Got ahead of Badiashile and launched the cross for Szoboszlai’s goal.
Got ahead of Badiashile and launched the cross for Szoboszlai’s goal.
Pochettino brought Mudryk, Nkunku, and Gusto on after the break for Chilwell, Gallagher, and Madueke (more attacking approach).
Chelsea were able to bypass Liverpool’s press (with Enzo deeper), and Gusto — Sterling combined together to progress wide.
Mudryk threatened with his pace but the shot went high.
(Liverpool reduced their intensity in the 2nd half)
Chelsea were able to bypass Liverpool’s press (with Enzo deeper), and Gusto — Sterling combined together to progress wide.
Mudryk threatened with his pace but the shot went high.
(Liverpool reduced their intensity in the 2nd half)
Chukwuemeka also came on after Liverpool’s 3rd, playing as the double 8 with Palmer while Enzo as the base
Despite Liverpool’s press, Enzo was able to help in progressing the ball.
He and Palmer played closer to dictate Chelsea's attack,
Despite Liverpool’s press, Enzo was able to help in progressing the ball.
He and Palmer played closer to dictate Chelsea's attack,
For their 1st goal, the access to Chukwuemeka was opened up after Elliot stepped up to press but it wasn’t supported by the players behind — similar to Szoboszlai’s example.
He then used his ball-carrying to exploit the space BTL and find Nkunku in the box.
He then used his ball-carrying to exploit the space BTL and find Nkunku in the box.
Enzo definitely improves Chelsea’s build-up but there are questions on his defensive positioning.
Liverpool looked to attack the space/passing lanes around Enzo throughout the game.
Liverpool looked to attack the space/passing lanes around Enzo throughout the game.
Mac Allister found the passing lane in the gap between the RCB — RB for Nunez's runs, and Diaz was quick enough to attack the far post before Badiashile.
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