Have you ever ever questioned what it might be like for you and your mates to try to play in a Jurgen Klopp system? Right here’s a step-by-step information!
The solar’s out, the pre-season match protection on This Is Anfield has simply completed, and the WhatsApp group chat pings.
“Fancy a kickabout?”
Whether or not it’s jumpers for goalposts within the park or the Sunday league beginning up once more, 11-a-side is in season for a lot of Reds.
It’s the closest we get to dwelling the dream of taking part in for Liverpool. However what if we wish to get somewhat bit nearer, and truly play like Liverpool?
The fundamentals
Retaining this good and easy – everybody is aware of the traditional Liverpool setup, proper?
False 9 with wingers as strikers
Excessive press out of possession
The form
We expect 4-3-3 as a result of that’s how teamsheets and TV graphics work. However that’s simply an concept for when the opponent has the ball.
When you’ve gotten it, a very powerful factor is having 5 in assault and 5 in defence always.
All of us wish to cost ahead after we’re attacking, however look what occurs in case your teammate offers the ball away.
By conserving a strong construction, you may cease these counter-attacks – permitting you to have one other go at scoring.
Play to your strengths
Each staff has totally different roles that require totally different skillsets. So begin considering much less about positions and extra about roles.
Our predominant creators are going to be the full-backs, so stick your attacking midfielders there – they’ll get loads of time within the ultimate third. That’s how Trent Alexander-Arnold ended up there, in any case!
We’re taking a look at extra of a linkup participant than a finisher up entrance, so see in case your huge centre-forward fancies a go in defence – they’ll get numerous scoring possibilities from set items.
No specialist goalkeeper? We’ll want a sweeper-keeper who can play passes, so strive one in every of your midfield mates in objective.
You get the image – everybody enjoys doing what they’re good at, so take into consideration what they’re good at and the place they will do this.
Bear in mind why you’re there
Liverpool’s high-octane model is exhilarating. It’s additionally exhausting.
Many a facet have made the error of operating round shouting ‘press!’ at one another, solely to observe the ball get zipped round them and fired into their web.
We’re not aiming for elite requirements right here or advanced tactical techniques. The objective is to have enjoyable and attempt to win if we will.
Which suggests scoring targets! Klopp’s males are superb at that, so let’s see what we will be taught from them.
Width is your good friend
Once you need the ball, it’s tempting to go in the direction of it and ask for it.
Typically that’s useful – particularly for that team-mate who struggles with a five-yard move – however that usually finally ends up with too many individuals clustered within the center.
You get no time on the ball and no house to do something enjoyable with it.
By enthusiastic about the place your width comes from, you can provide everybody a easy however highly effective concept of the place to be to assist the staff.
Till lately, Klopp hardly ever used wingers for width, and that’s as a result of it may possibly trigger two issues.
Downside A – your striker is outnumbered once you swing within the cross.
Downside B – you pile everybody ahead and get counter attacked.
To play like Liverpool, we’d like our wingers to consider themselves as strikers. Keep good and slim, like Sadio Mane and Mo Salah, and let the full-backs overlap to offer the width.
Now you’ve received choices within the field, and likewise a pure construction – 5 and 5, with the midfield prepared to dam counter-attacks and chase clearances.
Find out how to press
Think about your opponent has a objective kick. Normally, after we press as seen on TV, it seems to be one thing like this.
Right here’s the issue with that.
It is a recipe for shouting and finger pointing. I’ve been the centre again moaning at their midfield right here for not monitoring again, however I’m a modified man now.
I can see that urgent from midfield like that is arduous work – and irritating once you’re inevitably bypassed and compelled to chase again.
As a substitute, let’s return to our entrance three. Bear in mind, you’re not wingers – you’re strikers. Keep slim and compact.
Now the opponent can’t play via you, they should strive taking part in over you or round you.
Stick two defenders on their striker in case they struggle taking part in over you (or three in the event that they’re taking part in two strikers). The easy maths of which means you’re taking part in eight vs. 9 (outfield gamers) when urgent.
They’ll all the time have a participant spare – so that you need their spare participant within the least harmful place doable.
By forcing the ball to at least one facet, you may go away the alternative full again free, as a result of they’re unlikely to get the ball.
Right here’s what to do in the event that they go left:
And in the event that they go proper:
Good and easy.
In case your opponent turns again and performs it sideways, simply shift throughout. No method out!
This implies extra
With this straightforward information, you’ll quickly by urgent excessive, looking in packs, then springing ahead and sweeping in targets on the counter.
You’ll have a strong construction to assist maintain the ball and win it again, and the fitting numbers within the field to attain out of your possibilities.
Simply keep in mind there’s no VAR to avoid wasting you in the event that they get behind your excessive line.
Klopp as soon as stated that “we smile when the ball smiles.” So keep in mind to smile and have enjoyable!
