Liverpool have lived and died by their high-risk, high-reward approach for the last four years under Jurgen Klopp – perhaps this sort of form was always inevitable.
The tightrope on which they balanced has finally snapped and the fallout has seen one of the best sides in Europe look like a pale imitation of their former selves.
Despite all that, they’re only five points off the ‘incredible’ and ‘uncatchable’ Manchester City but the fundamentals of their system have been exposed.
There are a number of factors that have contributed to this, but the risk-reward strategy on the pitch is starting to just feel like a risk.
đ¨ NEW: There is a theory espoused by some at Anfield that Liverpool are simply knackered after the tight turnaround from last season when they played 63 matches. #lfc [paul joyce – times]
— Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) September 9, 2022
High-line failure this season
The high line that Liverpool have developed over recent years has been the cornerstone to their successes; it gives them a strong presence and simply doesn’t let teams breathe on the ball.
He’s always stood by his system – even when it hasn’t worked on occasions in the past. For example, last year he said: âWe want to attack the opponent non-stop. When we have the ball, when we lose it and when the opposition have it,â
Top sides now rarely deviate from their aggressive systems, no matter who they play. Everyone wants their team to play like Manchester City or Liverpool and they all want to press high and play out from the back.
During this poor run of form for the Reds, Klopp has been hassled by reporters, fans and pundits to tweak his system. Former Red Jamie Carragher has repeatably claimed that the defenders deploying the high line just need to drop ‘five yards‘ in certain situations.
ANALYSIS: High-line defending without being âready to goâ is âsuicide footballâ by #Liverpool – @Carra23 #NAPLIV pic.twitter.com/Giq0DWsz4t
— Cllr Peter Harvey (@peterjharvey) September 8, 2022
Klopp came out after the Napoli loss to address this: âThe high line is a risk if you donât get pressure on the ball and use it,â Klopp said when asked about the high line after the game. âIf you have a high line and you donât put any pressure on the guy on the ball then, yes, itâs a risk.
There isn’t enough pressure on the ball from the midfield and it’s likely because 36-year-old James Milner is getting beat left, right and centre and for all of Harvey Elliott’s endeavour, he’s still very, very early on in his career. This has left Fabinho stranded and probably very nervous, given there’s not much he can do if his midfield partners fail him.
Thiago came on and Liverpool looked instantly better – the Spaniard returned for the first time since the opening day of the season and Klopp was quick to praise him. “Until Thiago entered the pitch I canât remember one counter-pressing situation,â said the German.
Their high-risk, high-reward strategy is looking highly risky at the moment, but I don’t expect Liverpool to deviate from this. Instead, I imagine a more compact Liverpool midfield will be deployed in their next match to help solve the current issues that have plagued their start to this season.
