Analysis of Liverpool’s attacking struggles vs Southampton

Liverpool faced a very organised Southampton side at Anfield. Southampton played with a 1-4-2-3-1 formation but without possession their shape was going to change to a 1-4-5-1 with a deep defensive line.

Liverpool used their usual 1-4-3-3 formation having an overall possession of 65% throughout the match, but, as we know, possession does not win matches unless it is used wisely.

Southampton were a solid and compact defensive unit leaving minimal gaps in zone 14 by overloading this area of the pitch. This was going to be a big challenge for Liverpool.

To resolve this challenge, Liverpool needed to execute to perfection the basic attacking principles of football: 1. Create Space; 2. Maintain Possession; 3. Exploit Space. These principles are based on movement off the ball, quality of passes, decision making, high tempo of play, stretching the opposition, changing the direction of play, and creativity. However, Liverpool failed to deliver these crucial points against Southampton.

NO WIDTH IN FINAL THIRD

Liverpool’s FBs (Milner and Clyne) were constantly pushing forward into high positions on the field to support the attacking plays, but they were often caught in positions not providing enough width to Liverpool’s attack by making runs to inner channels instead of trying to stretch Southampton’s defensive unit by staying in wide channels, as you’ll see in the following video.

QUALITY OF PASSES & DECISION MAKING

Decision making is imperative in winning matches, especially, when playing against solid defensive teams who will try to deny available passing options. But the decision has to be accompanied by the quality of passes; poor execution will lead to failure.

Liverpool were unable to take advantage and exploit the spaces left by “The Saints” because their overall decision making, quality of passing and creativity in the final third was very poor.

CONCLUSION

Having players on the pitch such as Coutinho, Firmino, Origi, Lallana, and Sturridge; to name a few, one could be excused for thinking of attractive football. However, Liverpool’s lack of width, quality of passing and decision making in the final third were the key reasons we saw Liverpool as completely sterile and drop points at Anfield, despite having control of possession during the match.

Diogo Jota Roberto Firmino Liverpool

Jota Scores Winner as Liverpool Secure Derby Victory at Anfield

Diogo Jota scored a clinical goal during the second half, which became the decisive final score when Liverpool defeated Everton 1-0 at their home stadium, Anfield during a tense Merseyside derby match on Wednesday. The victory allowed Liverpool to maintain their dominant 12-point Premier League table position at the same time as securing their 100th […]

Read More
FA Cup Review Liverpool

Was Liverpool’s Plymouth Defeat ‘Embarrassing’ or Inevitable?

Whenever Liverpool lose a football match, especially in this day and age when they have been challenging for honours virtually every season, it is seen as a complete disaster by some. Supporters aren’t used to losing matches in the way that we grew to be under Roy Hodgson, amongst others, so it feels as though […]

Read More
jota competes for the ball against real madrid

Real Madrid 1 vs 0 Liverpool (6-2 Agg): Liverpool lifeless at the Bernabéu

Spanish giants Real Madrid extinguished Liverpool’s Champions League hopes with a dominant display. On a night where Liverpool needed nothing short of a miracle to clear a three goal deficit, they produced few clear goalscoring opportunities as they meekly went out of Europe’s elite competition. Now Jurgen Klopp’s team face a real battle to finish […]

Read More