{"id":628905,"date":"2023-09-09T06:58:30","date_gmt":"2023-09-09T10:58:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=628905"},"modified":"2023-09-09T06:59:45","modified_gmt":"2023-09-09T10:59:45","slug":"liverpool-high-pressing-issues-analysis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2023\/09\/09\/liverpool-high-pressing-issues-analysis\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018We Got a Proper Knock Last Year\u2019: Analysis of How Liverpool Fixed Their High-Pressing Issues"},"content":{"rendered":"

“We got a proper knock last year”.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0These were the words of Jurgen Klopp during their pre-season training camp in Germany. He was highly motivated to “put things right.” It may be premature to say that the Reds are back to their title-challenging levels. The gleaming positive is the development from last season’s plaguing issues. Liverpool’s high pressing has been an emblem of their high-intensity football under Klopp. Last season, their midfielders were not able to press with the required energy and intensity, leading to the midfield being breached and the defence forced into vulnerable positions. This led to a compound effect as the squad became fixated on their defensive duties – even trying a mid-block rather than pressing.<\/span><\/p>\n

[metabet_core_side_odds_tile query=”soe\/liverpool” size=”350×300″ site_id=”lastwordonsports”]<\/span><\/p>\n

High-Pressing System at Liverpool Is Functioning Again<\/span><\/h2>\n

New Signings & Midfield Rebuild<\/span><\/h3>\n

It became clear towards the end of last season that the Merseyside team required a thorough midfield rebuild. Alexis Mac Allister<\/a> and Dominik Szoboszlai joined as the marquee signings to lead the rebuild. Wataru Endo provides added depth and versatility, particularly in the number 6 position, while it will be interesting to see how Ryan Gravenberch fits into the Anfield midfield.<\/span><\/p>\n

Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott and Stefan Bajcetic look set for regular minutes. The key feature of this rebuild is the age. Amongst these players, the average age of the midfield is 22.5. Why is this important? Liverpool’s high-pressing issue was a lack of energy and intensity, meaning they would be late in cutting off passes and contesting duels. Oppositions would be able to break between the lines with ease. As such, the freshness and youth of their revamped midfield is a significant stepping-stone in the right direction.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read More:\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>\u2018Sealed\u2019: Liverpool\u2019s \u2018Fantastic\u2019 Ex-player Makes a Return to the Premier League<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Mac Allister fits the script due to his prior experience in a Brighton system under Roberto De Zerbi that aimed to congest the midfield and exploit vertical spaces. His versatility stood out – having experience playing as a number 6 under Graham Potter – while playing in more attacking positions under the current Brighton manager. Szoboszlai is a product of the Red Bull system, known for their high-pressing – making him a seamless fit.<\/span><\/p>\n

Watch<\/span><\/strong>: The Problem at Liverpool – Why Jurgen Klopp’s Side May Struggle this Premier League Season<\/span><\/p>\n