How Liverpool’s new 3-5-2 system works – and what it means for transfers
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This is Anfield • Liverpool FC review •
How Liverpool’s new 3-5-2 system works – and what it means for the transfer.
Liverpool ended an underperforming season in superb form after Jurgen Klopp switched to a new system. But how does 3-5-2 actually work? When Liverpool are at their best, their football is so complete that the attack leads the defense and then the defense leads the attack.
So it makes sense that Klopp changed his attacking structure in 2022/23 to solve Liverpool’s defensive problems. We called the result Liverpool’s ‘new form’.
But what was it exactly? How effective has it been? And will we see him again?
Compactness is a crucial aspect of an effective defense. Whether a team uses high pressing or low blocking, the distance between each unit in possession should be as short as possible.
Klopp pointed this out after Liverpool’s 4-1 loss to Napoli, calling it ‘the most inconsistent performance in a long, long time’.
In their famous ‘pack hunt’ approach, Liverpool’s front three covered six opponents, with the wingers positioned between centre-back and full-back on their respective sides.
Roberto Firmino was wary of passing through midfield, forcing the ball into situations where Liverpool could catch their opponents.
An example came against Brighton in 2020. Firmino deftly drifts to the side and seemingly opens a pass into midfield. … where Naby can then pounce on Keita before allowing his nearby teammates to score.
Central to this approach was the aggressive pressing of the (circled) full-backs, who pushed up to ensure the opposition didn’t have the ball out once the trap was sprung.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson have impressed for years with their energy in filling this role.
In possession, the full-backs joined the restricted front three on the front row, pushing up to provide width and crosses.
In the build-up, a midfielder might sink deep to help the ball forward, but otherwise the three midfielders protected the centre-backs to form Liverpool’s block of five in the half-time defence. The result looked like a 2-3-5 form.
Usually teams are either physically exhausted, mentally controlled or tactically exposed by their opponents.
In 2022/23, Liverpool managed to achieve all three and this led to them being separated.
To address this, Klopp changed the way Liverpool played in possession.
Instead of relying on the full-backs’ breadth, the wingers stretched out their opponents’ backlines, while the two central midfielders acted as number 10s by pushing into the halves. Alexander-Arnold turned into a midfielder and gave the defensive midfielder a partner in the middle.
We called the result a 3-2-5 shape.
This is Anfield • Liverpool FC review •
How Liverpool’s new 3-5-2 system works – and what it means for transfers
Liverpool ended an underperforming season in superb form after Jurgen Klopp switched to a new system. But how does 3-5-2 actually work? When Liverpool are at their best, their football is so complete that the attack leads the defense and then the defense starts the attack. So it makes sense that Klopp changed his attacking structure in 2022/23 to solve Liverpool’s defensive problems.
We called the result Liverpool’s ‘new form’.
But what was it exactly? How effective has it been? And will we see him again? Compact
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – Saturday April 1, 2023: Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo, Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate (L-R) form a defensive wall during the FA Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC at the City of Manchester Stadium. Manchester City won 4-1.
Compactness is a crucial aspect of an effective defense.
Whether a team uses high pressing or low blocking, the distance between each unit in possession should be as short as possible.
Klopp pointed this out after Liverpool’s 4-1 loss to Napoli, calling it ‘the most inconsistent performance in a long, long time’.
In their famous ‘pack hunt’ approach, Liverpool’s front three covered six opponents, with the wingers positioned between centre-back and full-back on their respective sides. Roberto Firmino defended from passes in midfield and forced the ball in situations where Liverpool could trap their opponents.
One example was against Brighton in 2020. Firmino shrewdly moves wide, seemingly opening up a pass into midfield…
… where Naby can then pounce on Keita before allowing his nearby teammates to score.
Central to this approach was the aggressive pressing of the (circled) full-backs, who pushed up to ensure the opposition didn’t have the ball out once the trap was sprung.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson have impressed for years with their energy in this role. In possession, the full-backs joined the restricted front three on the front row, pushing up to provide width and crosses.
In the build-up, a midfielder might sink deep to carry the ball forward, but otherwise the three midfielders protected the centre-backs to form Liverpool’s block of five in the half-time defence.
The result looked like a 2-3-5 form.
Usually teams are either physically exhausted, mentally controlled or tactically exposed by their opponents. they are separate. LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – Saturday 20 May 2023: Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold cheers on supporters after the FA Premier.
Instead of relying on the full-backs’ breadth, the wingers stretched out their opponents’ backlines, while the two central midfielders acted as number 10s by pushing into the halves.
Alexander-Arnold has turned to midfield, giving the defensive midfielder a partner in the centre.
We called the result a 3-2-5 shape.
Making his debut in a 2-2 draw with Arsenal, previously isolated Mo Salah made the most contacts in an opponent’s box for any player in a Premier League match (20). Instead of playing inside where Arsenal could move the ball, Liverpool repeatedly sought Salah on the wing during build-up, with Arsenal avoiding high pressure to set up attacks.
But how has this change in attack improved Liverpool’s defence?
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