There was something distinctly unusual about Liverpool's set-up on Saturday as it faced Chelsea in the Premier League.
When the visitors took a goal-kick and looked to build-up from the back, Liverpool's front three of Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and Harvey Elliott was far more withdrawn than usual.
We've become accustomed to the Reds pushing up high in these situations, looking to put the opposition under pressure and force a fruitful turnover.
But here Jürgen Klopp took on a different approach, returning to the 'mid-block' shape that has worked effectively against Manchester City in the Premier League and against Napoli in the Champions League.
The high press has been one of this team's leading characteristics, synonymous with its very identity, so why would Klopp be willing to do this?
Well, the goal was probably to tighten up a side that has, for the most part this season, been wide open defensively, even prior to Virgil van Dijk's untimely injury setback. Klopp clearly saw the need to adopt a more conservative game plan.
At first glance, it looks as if this didn't bring the desired results. Chelsea generated 1.6 expected goals (more than Liverpool's 1.4) and fired off 11 shots, nine of them inside the penalty area. While the hosts weren't able to muster a single big chance, Graham Potter's side created four.
But it's important to break down where those opportunities came from. In the early moments, Thiago Silva hit the post with a shot following a corner — the closest any side came to scoring on the day — and then, just after the half-hour, Benoît Badiashile met a free-kick to force a fine reflex save from Alisson before an unmarked Kai Havertz missed the target from Hakim Ziyech's dead-ball delivery.
These three set-piece openings accounted for 0.92 expected goals, with Badiashile's effort adjudged to be the biggest chance (0.33 xG). Take them out of the equation, and Chelsea's xG stands at just 0.68 from open play.
The key point here is that the Blues' chances weren't stemming from slicing through the Liverpool midfield as most teams have done this season.
Of course, the set pieces are still a concern as they're a potential source of goals for the opposition too, so they can't simply be discounted. Liverpool has been poor at defensive set-pieces recently, which is uncharacteristic of a team that has for so long mastered them at both ends.
The hope will be that it soon reverts to type, aided by the return of its chief defensive organizer Van Dijk.
For now, Liverpool's new midfield combination — Naby Keïta, Stefan Bajčetić and Thiago — and new game plan has shown signs of addressing one of this season's biggest issues, if not the biggest.
For Klopp, the challenge between now and the end of the season, as he tries to bring about an unlikely top-four finish, is to find a patched-up blueprint that works, much as he did in 2020/21 when an excellent run-in salvaged an injury-ravaged campaign. This time, unlike on that occasion, he will have Van Dijk to call on again before the end of the season.
And maybe, in the midst of an otherwise disappointing game against Chelsea at the weekend, we saw the beginnings of a workable plan.
djohnsons
0
I have come to realize that Jurgen klopp is the major problem Liverpool have now, u are In a league where u don't value the players playing in that same league, he always going other leagues to buy players which most doesn't work out well with most managers especially buying players from German leagues, most of them flops as well, just check the history most of the German language players did not live up expectations in the EPL. And now klopp should calculate do check and balance, and he will see that most of the players he signed from the EPL excels more than the ones he signed from out the league, e.g Sadio mane, vigil vandijk, diego jota etc. Pls Mr klopp I am pleading 🙏🙏 and urging u to change ur mentality and start considering the players in the EPL. Up liverpool fc
Maybe there is some truth to what you are saying if you think about Minamino, Karius or Keita. But what about Firmino, Salah and Matip? They all come from either "German" Leagues and also Italy a bit in Salah's case. Let's trust Klopp to turn the situation around.
vaebnoruz
0
...to those who said Nunez is a flop, um sure you can see that the lad is not a flop at all, look at Gakpo, he is struggling to find the back of the net but that doesn’t mean he is a flop, the problem with Liverpool is bigger than we all think, the mane factor ofcourse play a role though it is not the entire problem, the biggest Liverpool problem is its high intensity emanating from its exhausted midfield from the likes of Fabinho, henderson, these two needs to be sold straight out, Thiago isn’t bad at all apart from the fact that his play is completely not Klopp type of play he isn’t pressing at all, then the other problem will be the defensive woes, Trent is a good player but he can’t defend that’s another fact, Gomez is very weak, matip is inconsistent Robertson has lots it, the last problem is Klopp, he has simply ran out of tactics. My suggestion will be, buy new young players and build the team from within make use of young lads like, Doak, bajcetic, Elliot, Jones and rhy Williams
I disagree with you
vaebnoruz
0
Rubbish article
Zetbekuz
0
Our Middle field is exosted, Fabino is tired can't close the gap quickly, can't break the attack of opponents, can't join our attack quickly, Tiago is also slow, Captain Hendo cannot do it all alone. The you lad Bajcetic is coming well
bulelfc
1
where is the article for this headline
bulelfc
0
I have come to realize that Jurgen klopp is the major problem Liverpool have now, u are In a league where u don't value the players playing in that same league, he always going other leagues to buy players which most doesn't work out well with most managers especially buying players from German leagues, most of them flops as well, just check the history most of the German language players did not live up expectations in the EPL. And now klopp should calculate do check and balance, and he will see that most of the players he signed from the EPL excels more than the ones he signed from out the league, e.g Sadio mane, vigil vandijk, diego jota etc. Pls Mr klopp I am pleading 🙏🙏 and urging u to change ur mentality and start considering the players in the EPL. Up liverpool fc
I respect your views as a fellow LFC fan and understand we all pleading to improve. however Klopp has made more EPL signings than most managers of top 6 clubs. look @ all his signing and do the statistics yourself. I have come to trust that he has the club's best interest @ heart. his philosophy is to develop players more than buying already developed and expensive ones. since he arrived in 2015 it has always been happy moments to the point we now expect perpetual success, we all do. I choose to stand with this man, he will see us through this rough patch
hanailnp
3
I have come to realize that Jurgen klopp is the major problem Liverpool have now, u are In a league where u don't value the players playing in that same league, he always going other leagues to buy players which most doesn't work out well with most managers especially buying players from German leagues, most of them flops as well, just check the history most of the German language players did not live up expectations in the EPL. And now klopp should calculate do check and balance, and he will see that most of the players he signed from the EPL excels more than the ones he signed from out the league, e.g Sadio mane, vigil vandijk, diego jota etc. Pls Mr klopp I am pleading 🙏🙏 and urging u to change ur mentality and start considering the players in the EPL. Up liverpool fc
Mfanomdala
0
...to those who said Nunez is a flop, um sure you can see that the lad is not a flop at all, look at Gakpo, he is struggling to find the back of the net but that doesn’t mean he is a flop, the problem with Liverpool is bigger than we all think, the mane factor ofcourse play a role though it is not the entire problem, the biggest Liverpool problem is its high intensity emanating from its exhausted midfield from the likes of Fabinho, henderson, these two needs to be sold straight out, Thiago isn’t bad at all apart from the fact that his play is completely not Klopp type of play he isn’t pressing at all, then the other problem will be the defensive woes, Trent is a good player but he can’t defend that’s another fact, Gomez is very weak, matip is inconsistent Robertson has lots it, the last problem is Klopp, he has simply ran out of tactics. My suggestion will be, buy new young players and build the team from within make use of young lads like, Doak, bajcetic, Elliot, Jones and rhy Williams
Hedablmrtu
0
Thiago coming killed the team.... he was paid moe than anyone be yet he hasn't brought in anything or changed anything but highest paid, a demoralising fact ...shame on you kloop
zitadmopyz
0
just here to read comments. I found nothing
zosadmnou
0
The team is dead..... kloop must leave the club for a new coach to take over
Apparently ur comment reflects the state of ur brain! So let's let u enjoy ur glorious ignorance
nodabceiku
1
The team is dead..... kloop must leave the club for a new coach to take over
Yuabcdmnty
0
get Bellingham to that midfield--- as if he creates chances
Jenacenruy
1
yes
Zoabcelmpy
2
No change is meaningful for Klopp this time without boosting othe squad by at least two new signings of midfield players! The team is dead @ the middle part of the playing field with Tiago and Fabinho seemingly extreamly exhausted . As a results no meaningful goal scoring chances are created and less goals are scored!