09 Aug 2023 15:25:45
the inverted FB tactics is really awful. it is ever only going to work if

1) the 4 defenders are all Maldini or Alan Hansen, so when defending, they don't need to go back to their defensive position, but rather, go to the nearest defensive position they need to be (e. g., if TAA is near LCB, he did become that, VVD to become RCB and Konate to RB)

2) the FBs are all Xabi Alonso

since such players don't exist or won't exist in abundance and all be in the same team at one time, the tactic is realistically not implementable.

1.) 09 Aug 2023
09 Aug 2023 15:42:18
I’m not saying it is working or the way ahead but the inverted full back role got us 24 points from 30 last season.

433 got us 43 points from a possible 84.

I can see Klopp sticking with the inverted full back role and unfortunately we either have to back him and support it or start calling for his head.

I know what I’ll be doing.

2.) 09 Aug 2023
09 Aug 2023 15:50:35
But as I recall teams did figure us out in our final games. We started conceding goals, when we were playing teams with pace through the middle.

3.) 09 Aug 2023
09 Aug 2023 15:55:53
JK i think you need to take into account we got players back from injury in the second half of the season mate.

4.) 09 Aug 2023
09 Aug 2023 15:55:58
Forgot to say that’s why Klopp might be persisting with it.

Already in pre season we’ve seen our right back in midfield for 2 games and at inverted right back (where he literally goes anywhere) for the other ones and our centre forward in midfield for 2 games.

If that doesn’t tell us we need more midfielders then I don’t know what does.

5.) 09 Aug 2023
09 Aug 2023 16:09:39
JK we didn't play 433 the same way last season that we played it before. Not once imo.

And even if 433 isn't the answer, that doesn't mean that you stick with the inverted wingback system and effectively gamble that the defensive sloppiness we've consistently had with it won't be punished.

6.) 09 Aug 2023
09 Aug 2023 16:12:29
JK23 - Do you think our lousy performance in the first 2/ 3rds of the season was down to formation? Rather, I think it was a mixture of poor attitude from senior players, a muddled and ineffective preseason, and exasperation from more failure to strengthen following a strong season previously. Then, when we finally realized we were about to miss out on the CL, the players stopped feeling sorry for themselves and actually put a shift in. Very little to do with formation.

7.) 09 Aug 2023
09 Aug 2023 16:31:03
Not sure why you think teams started to figure us out wishy-washy. Up until the final game of the season we had only conceded one goal in May and that was in the one all draw with Aston villa. The last game with Southampton doesn't count in my eyes either as it was impossible to get top four by then and klopp totally changed the team because of that. The damage was done earlier in the season before we actually started playing the inverted fullback.

8.) 09 Aug 2023
09 Aug 2023 16:36:17
Lowe the poor form in the first 2 thirds of the season was down to persistent injuries more than anything else. We lost the press in attack and midfield due to Diaz, Jota, Hendo, Thiago, Fabinho, Jones, Bobby all being out either long term or very often. We were relying on Ox and Keita at one point with Elliott trying his best but not a great tackler. Bajcetic came in, did really well then got injured.

Add to that Konate’s struggles with injury and then VVD being out it’s amazing we even finished 5th.

9.) 09 Aug 2023
09 Aug 2023 16:41:20
the difference was the pressing, not formation. i think we would probably get the same amount of points from the last 30 if we played 433, with TAA in the middle or at right back, so long as we were back to the high press tactics.

i think we could still pretty okay with this inverted full back thing, so long as we're still using the same tactics. but the question would be, could we have done better with TAA in the middle and a proper back 4? let me grab my crystal ball.

10.) 09 Aug 2023
09 Aug 2023 16:46:22
For me it’s not so much the tactics we use, it’s the message it sends to opponents.

You play the same way for long enough, someone will work out an effective way to counter it.

If you have more than one radically different tactic then it’s not as easy.

That’s why the change led to so many points to me, it disrupted the oppositions preparation.

I don’t think it’s going to be many games we play inverted fullbacks if I’m honest.

11.) 09 Aug 2023
09 Aug 2023 16:59:33
Sorry gents I wasn’t trying to promote the inverted full back role and knock the 433, it was more trying to point out why Klopp might be sticking with it.

Personally I do like the 433 role more but even with that formation a lot of the times Robbo and Trent were so high we were always exposed in those areas. It’s just we had Fab with more legs and in fairness to Hendo and Wiji they both selflessly covered the full backs lots.

I’m excited for this season and whilst I don’t believe we’ll challenge for title I do believe going forward we should be able to secure top 4 and Europa is definitely winnable.

12.) 09 Aug 2023
09 Aug 2023 17:11:36
Looking at our players we look more suited to a 442 counter similar to arsenal of the kate 90s

Allison kehheler

Trent Bradley
Konate matip
Van dijk Gomez
Robertson tsimikas

Sczo doak
Lavia bajcetic thiago
McAllister jones
Diaz Elliot

Salah gakpo
Jota nunez.

13.) 09 Aug 2023
09 Aug 2023 17:32:31
I agree with some of the comments above, the poor performances last year were because we just stopped pressing, further exacerbated by injuries and dips in form. If we go back a couple of years we we’re probably claiming to have the best right and left backs in the world and with the same 2 players we are now exploring playing without right or left backs in just not sure that’s the right move. Last year we were fixing a problem of a weak/ aging/ slow/ immobile midfield, but we seem still be correcting a problem after 6 of them left) . My personal preference is 433 (but with a team capable of intense pressing which I now believe we have assuming our 2 new boys stay fit. I think we still need a starting CDM (and a 2nd if we don’t think bajetic is the man to mould into 1), a cb, and possibly an RB if we believe Trent starts in that midfield right position. I like having a plan b though if 433 fails. I think 3223 will help and with our attacking talent I kind of like the look of 4231, getting as many of our front 5 on as possible. I can’t wait for the season to start but equally I’m worried we are going into a season at least 2 players short, maybe 3!.

14.) 09 Aug 2023
09 Aug 2023 17:57:02
play 4-3-3
buy good RB
and play TAA in midfield
simple.

15.) 09 Aug 2023
09 Aug 2023 18:23:54
I loved Maldini.

16.) 09 Aug 2023
09 Aug 2023 18:32:44
To be honest my biggest worry is that we start conceding a few goals and Jurgen decides to make us more ‘compact’. He’s not a defensive style manager and when we did it last season it was awful, there was a point midway through last season where we tried improve defensively and we didn’t actually do anything better in defence, we just stopped attacking and played this painful, turgid football. The loss at Forest and the 0-0 at Palace spring to mind. Please never again.

17.) 09 Aug 2023
09 Aug 2023 20:27:39
Agreed Thomas.
The whole point of having Klopp is that he plays attractive and attacking football, and that it is enjoyable.
The press is central to that, and I would expect that it will be employed much more than we saw it last season.
There's never been a style in which his Liverpool team haven't given chances up though.
I don't give a flying if we're inverted, outverted or shakeitallaboutverted.
A 3-2 or a 4-3 win is just fine by me.

18.) 09 Aug 2023
09 Aug 2023 20:47:51
Klopp also wins trophies and he'd have a few more if it were not City and Gladioli.
If we don't win the League or even strongly challenge City, I can't think of another manager that could.
I don't know whether new owners would change that but how feasible is that?
We've a lot to be thankful for.

19.) 09 Aug 2023
09 Aug 2023 22:25:25
Absolutely Juicer. The beauty of Klopp is that his football is very risky and very good to watch but if we are not at it can be exploited.

When it all clicks though we are a match for the best teams in the world.

If Klopp is persisting with this system it’s because it’s the best system moving forward. They will be things to iron out like there was with the high line but it will be ironed out and we will be a real force.

If 433 was the best system for us to play he would play it. He’s not trying to sabotage us.

20.) 10 Aug 2023
10 Aug 2023 08:12:54
Pressed send too soon. For me, we do not have the players to ply this system effectively. Also, the players look uncomfortable and lost when we lose the ball and the gaps are all over the place in the wide areas.

As for last season, it was the lack of press that killed us and ruined Fab. We played this slow system that left him exposed in transition with runners coming at him. It was when we brought back the press that we started play better and so did Fab. Injuries? Fatigue? I get that but the lack of press was a huge mistake, IMO.

21.) 10 Aug 2023
10 Aug 2023 08:41:50
Imo teams we played did figure us out near the end of the season. Good
selective memory in saying May and not including 30th of April.
In our final Eleven games the only Two teams we beat convincingly, Leeds and Leicester went down.
Saying let's not include the Southampton game because it doesn't matter?
Life's about opinions, I am not a fan of this inverted box formation, that's not to say I don't want it to work.