A winter break was decided by the FA, Premier League and EFL in June 2018.
The change imposed was supposed to benefit clubs such as Liverpool, but since the Reds took a step back from the pitch before returning, they haven't quite been the same.
Jurgen Klopp's outfit have played 360 minutes of football in all competitions since the winter hiatus, but have only led for 24 of them.
The Anfield club haven't been as fluid as usual, but the sluggish performances have also stemmed from the tactics used by opposing teams.
Norwich, Atletico Madrid, West Ham and Watford seems a fairly easy run on paper, but once considering the stylistic nature of those sides, it becomes relatively clear why the Reds have struggled.
Three of those four have deployed situational back six formations as a means of ensuring that Liverpool are limited offensively at the business end of the pitch.
Watford in particular managed to cause Klopp's men serious problems both with an without the ball.
Nigel Pearson used a generic 4-2-3-1 formation but once the league leaders advanced towards the final third, Watford's wide players consistently tracked the movements of Liverpool's deeper runners, forming the shape pictured below.
The 6-3-1 allowed the Hornets to block the centre while also restricting the likes of Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold on the flanks.
David Moyes had a similar idea one week earlier. The Hammers boss seemed to instruct his players to track back to form a compact block that catered for the threats of Liverpool's full-backs.
Days earlier, Atleti defeated the Reds 1-0 in Spain. 6-3-1 wasn't used by Diego Simeone, but his 4-4-2 often morphed into a back six because of the defensive nature of his wide midfielders.
The concept is simple and very conservative but it does seem to have caused Klopp's team problems since the winter break.
A somewhat languid version of Liverpool have been tasked with breaking down defensive units that can stretch to cover the full width of the pitch without channels opening up for players to dart into.
Ultimately, it's an issue that the world champions will have to overcome very quickly, especially considering Simeone's outfit travel to Anfield next week for the second leg of the Champions League knockout tie.
veiccondeyapo
2
why is it difficult for the Liverpool to win on FA cup?this show that Liverpool is weak than expected
zuoabstu
0
Liverpool should switch to this formation and play through the middle. An extra man up front with physicality should draw attention from opponent CB, which then creates more room for wingers or Fullbacks
kvng-teebillz
0
Chelsea, Watford and Atletico.. let's look @ where all these team will finish at the end of the season..
Tahbrtu
0
That's why they have to got a plan b cause whenever teams change formation we suppose to change as well to counteract them
Kudbcdent
0
Robbo and Trent should stay consciously run forward. Should remember they have a defensive role first thing. So is Fab.If these guys continue forgetting their permanent roles we are doomed. Upfront the guys need to be clinical. Oblak is good but beatable, just look at his position.
True, this is called 4-2-3-1 with inside forwarders.
GBZ_15
1
The only tactic to face liverpool is park the bus
Paaacru
0
yekceimpsy
0
Robbo and Trent should stay consciously run forward. Should remember they have a defensive role first thing. So is Fab.If these guys continue forgetting their permanent roles we are doomed. Upfront the guys need to be clinical. Oblak is good but beatable, just look at his position.
zaneknorty
1
try that one against Chelsea
yekceimpsy
0
sure
yekceimpsy
0
relatively easy to deal with. Let Salah engange 3 Keita 2 Firmino 2 and free Mane to do the damage
imaadmosharraf
1
If it takes 6-3-1 to beat invincible, then FIFA should really add that formation in the game
ovolexis
0
l think even this one can still work out to kill ATM
[image]
origi in his natural position issa beast. dunno why klopp insists to play him from the wing. he could be another harry kane in a "9"
ovolexis
0
all these images show when we were either drawing or losing, so it's quite natural to have as much as 6 players defending against the "BEST TEAM IN THE WORLD". You should show us their maps while it's still "0:0" or we are LEADING.
Saocinuy
0
Now the tricks and tactics are revealed to all to beat Liverpool!
Like the last time they lost... then they kept winning and winning
Saocinuy
0
Bench vandyk. Complacent is not a good thing. Back to the drawing board to defence but vandyk rest. Not even with athletico. Bench bench bench
Is that you Diego?
Suyash_Bhandare_613
0
Give me just one reason why u feel his overrate? U guys just write n say what ever u heart tell u without thinking..... How can u tag a player that was signed for 7.25m overrated. Overrated in what ways?
I will just tell you to see his first game with pool, there is a video of Mina's highlights only. just count how many times he loses the ball, I mean if he plays like that in any game I m always gonna judge him badly
Suyash_Bhandare_613
0
Just the way Mendy, Stones, Angelino n Cancelo failed right? Beside i prefer ur youngstar Foden to De Bruyne.
u do realise KDB is the best right now
Suyash_Bhandare_613
0
Just the way Mendy, Stones, Angelino n Cancelo failed right? Beside i prefer ur youngstar Foden to De Bruyne.
angelino was not given a chance, considering ho Mendy plays he has not failed at all, have you even seen his workrate
tohbmnpty
2
l think even this one can still work out to kill ATM
heyamopsy
2
im sure mr Klopp is working on this
tohbmnpty
0
I can edge crop to use this formation to kill ATM because they will sity deep and relay on the accounter attack, so this can do
fadkmostuz
0
I think he is overrated and will fail in pl, rather prefer ur youngster jones
Give me just one reason why u feel his overrate? U guys just write n say what ever u heart tell u without thinking..... How can u tag a player that was signed for 7.25m overrated. Overrated in what ways?
fadkmostuz
0
I think he is overrated and will fail in pl, rather prefer ur youngster jones
Just the way Mendy, Stones, Angelino n Cancelo failed right? Beside i prefer ur youngstar Foden to De Bruyne.
fadkmostuz
0
I don't know why they signed that guy
Which guy
Hecbouz
1
Liverpool will qualify for next of UCL no matter the formation used by Atl Madrid
Curtisjones
0
I don't know why they signed that guy
Suyash_Bhandare_613
0
what of our new boy T.minamino I think is high time we give him chance to play to master the English league and give us what he has for us we need to take every game serious our priority shouldn't be only on premier league we need other titles
I think he is overrated and will fail in pl, rather prefer ur youngster jones
NhicoGentle
0
what of our new boy T.minamino I think is high time we give him chance to play to master the English league and give us what he has for us we need to take every game serious our priority shouldn't be only on premier league we need other titles
NhicoGentle
0
our problem is in the middle not all the games that Gini gets his full ability to play he flop in most games yet he keep playing every match,rest him for a while fabinho though after returning from injury he is not physically fit combine with Ox and lallana should be our regularly start up since Hendo is absent to create more chances to the attackers we need creative midfielders I really miss the likes of Shaq and Keita
msikaonosayizi
0
Bench vandyk. Complacent is not a good thing. Back to the drawing board to defence but vandyk rest. Not even with athletico. Bench bench bench
tutabcemp
0
Now the tricks and tactics are revealed to all to beat Liverpool!
kidmwanyemesh
2
firmino has to be a true number nine vs atletico, and lalana should distribute upward because of his body size he can penetrate easily(i prefered shaqil but he is injure and also from time to time act as false number nine exchanging with firmino covering his position for sure he will be able to get down passes by wings ,
DieHardRed
0
lolzzz still he looks Abit shaky... dispossess ball from an opponent is not working for him without a foul...I pray he peaks form...
Yeah. Heโs still rusty from that injury. Heโll be back ๐
Chrismaris1
0
Maybe because Ox and Hendo donโt play CDM ๐๐
lolzzz still he looks Abit shaky... dispossess ball from an opponent is not working for him without a foul...I pray he peaks form...
DieHardRed
0
the only issue is that Fabinho got no balls to push forward as hendo or ox...why stay behind watch 6 guys go on 3, come in make runs drag em out and open space...
Maybe because Ox and Hendo donโt play CDM ๐๐
Chrismaris1
1
the only issue is that Fabinho got no balls to push forward as hendo or ox...why stay behind watch 6 guys go on 3, come in make runs drag em out and open space...
DrAdnanAhmad
1
The first Puzzle Klopp has to solve is how to snatch the Trophy from UEFA and CORONA VIRUS grasp ๐๐๐๐
Yidbpuz
0
๐
PatrickScere
6
Reminder that Barรงa spent a combined โฌ345m buying Dembele, Coutinho & Griezmann trying to replace Neymar. They have now played a total of 186 games, the same as Neymar. Combined they have scored 54 goals with 35 assists. Neymar alone scored 105 goals with 59 assists.