If Liverpool fans were asked what utopia is for them – their answer would be something along the lines of finishing 2023 at the top of the Premier League and having the chance to extend the lead by three points. Perhaps, utopia will only be achieved when they see their team holding the Premier League trophy, however, the Reds have a golden opportunity to take a three-point lead at the top by defeating a struggling Newcastle side, that is currently sitting in 9th place and has lost five matches away from home in the league. Perfect time for an Anfield welcome.
Liverpool v Newcastle – Tactical Keys
🗣️ "To lose someone like that is a massive blow"
How much of an impact will losing Mo Salah and Wataru Endo for the AFCON and Asian Cup have on Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool? 🔴 pic.twitter.com/SfiZKE6eeV
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 1, 2024
Adapting to Newcastle’s Pressing Scheme:
In the reverse fixture at St James’ Park, where Liverpool came away with a historic 2-1 win despite being down to 10 men for the majority of the game, their major struggle, even with 11 players on the pitch came at the helm of the aggressive Newcastle press that was thriving off the home atmosphere. Since then, Eddie Howe has had to tinker with the set-up and the press is certainly not as aggressive. Several factors have contributed to this, including a hefty injury list and fatigue of players over the November – December period. Currently, Howe’s side sits off in a 4-5-1, however, it wouldn’t be a surprise if they some form of press towards their opponent in their first phase.
There are two feasible approaches, sit back, cut off the spaces like Manchester United did or press the Merseyside outfit and suffocate them in build-up which teams such as Chelsea, Manchester City, Bournemouth and Crystal Palace have been able to do. In the reverse fixture, Liverpool’s double-pivot was constantly man-marked and suffocated. Since then, Jurgen Klopp’s side has developed more nuanced ideas in the build-up. The simple principle is to rotate in to space to receive the ball from the ball-playing centre-backs. This requires Wataru Endo, Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai to come into space and receive the ball.
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Trent Alexander Arnold is not a common fixture within the double pivot now but is rather found outside the block, either resting within the right half-space or as a third CB, a great example being Mohamed Salah’s brilliant goal against Arsenal. The change to his role ensures that Liverpool’s double pivot is not isolated and Alexander-Arnold can control the tempo of their ball progression with the full field in front of him. As such, if the Magpies press, expect the Anfield side to adopt a similar build-up approach as they did against the Gunners, with Endo obtaining support from the interiors and their vice-captain operating from outside the block.
Alternatively, if the visitors choose to sit off, expect constant fluidity down the right-hand side as Szoboszlai, Alexander-Arnold and Salah interchange positions.
Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo:
The chief architect of Liverpool’s win in the reverse fixture was Darwin Nunez – his clinical brace gave fans renewed optimism regarding his development. Frankly, his development seems to be going fine and Klopp has reiterated that Nunez evolved into a great player. The goals haven’t come as often since that fixture. However, the Uruguayan forward is a must-start in this fixture.
Newcastle’s goals conceeded against Nottingham Forest came from transitional moments or quick breaks where balls were played into runs behind their defence, particularly Dan Burn and Kieran Trippier. Anthony Elanga and Chris Wood thrived. Their defensive line is extremely ‘leggy’ and supremely exhausted. Nunez’s brace also came from passes played in behind the defence. The math adds up. Nunez will be pivotal in exploiting their defensive weaknesses.
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Cody Gakpo is a worthy support man due to his out-of-possession work rate. His ability to rotate into a centre-forward role will further allow his strike partner to operate down the left-hand side in certain moments, which could be a key match-up if the German manager is looking to take advantage of Trippier’s lack of confidence and poor form.
Liverpool’s Pressing Scheme:
Jürgen Klopp showcased some particularly interesting tactical tweaks at 0-0 in the Newcastle-Liverpool game, starting with a Roberto De Zerbi-esque 4-2-4 build-up.
Below, in an in-depth thread, I review their miraculous win and the long-term trajectory of their project.
THREAD! pic.twitter.com/9ey9hnLaF2
— EBL (@EBL2017) August 28, 2023
In August, Newcastle employed a 3-2 build-up with Sandro Tonali dropping deep to support the centre-backs. The six-time Champions League winners had toyed their press into more of a 4-1-4-1/4-4-2 with Diaz and Salah dropping a bit deeper in the front-line press to mark the runs of the full-backs. As such, Mac Allister was sometimes seen supporting Cody Gakpo in the front line. The issue was that the two midfielders were able to play through the gaps in the front-line press.
A more suitable structure may be a 4-4-2 press where the left-winger tracks the run of the Newcastle captain, a two-man front-line of their two forwards who screen passes into the midfield. The three-man midfield steps up as necessary. It would also allow Endo to track the runs of Alexander Isak if he decides to drop deeper, which was a trend in the reverse fixture. The centre-backs could step up onto him. This structure will be well-equipped to resolve the issue from the previous fixture.
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For Liverpool, this is a match to cement their title credentials and announce to the rest of the Premier League that they are the team to defeat. They have had some disappointing performances this season, but in the last two performances, their in-possession and out-of-possession have started to gel and produce some good football. The Anfield faithful will hope for more of the same on Monday evening.
