The ECHO takes a look at how the tactics of the boss helped the Reds at Old Trafford
Manchester United FC v Liverpool FC in the Barclays Premier League at Old Trafford. Brendan Rodgers on the touchline. Pic Andrew Teebay.
This season has raised a number of questions for Liverpool, but most pertinent of all is this: how?
It is a question that can sometimes be forgotten, neglected even.
As Luis Suarez slaloms through another set of limbs, or as Daniel Sturridge glances over his shoulder and takes aim, or as Jordan Henderson runs and runs some more, the question of how? is hardly asked. Instead, there is just an embrace that it simply is happening.
But it is something that should be asked. The Reds have gone from seventh to genuine title contenders in a season, scoring three or more goals in 16 league matches – including five against Tottenham and Arsenal, four against Everton, and three against Manchester United.
It is those three goals against United which has catapulted Liverpool into the title race, and into public consciousness. Brendan Rodgers has spoken of conversations throughout the season; right now, his side are the hottest topic in Europe and have tongues wagging, moving just four points adrift of Chelsea with a game in hand.
But how did it happen? Specifically, how did Rodgers take his side to Old Trafford and produce one of the most comprehensive beatings to United in recent memory?
To simply point at Suarez, Sturridge and Steven Gerrard would be unfair; so, too, would wryly suggesting David Moyes' presence in the home dugout was the sole contributing factor.
If the United result is one to announce the Reds as a genuine runner in this title race, then it should also herald Rodgers as one of the league's finest tacticians.
It is something he, arguably, doesn't receive enough praise for. But this was another big game won with his indelible imprint upon it.
Against Everton, his deployment of Suarez, Sturridge and Raheem Sterling across the front three left John Stones in a spin; against Arsenal, his use of Philippe Coutinho as a third midfielder opened up what had been – until then – a solid back-line.
This season has raised a number of questions for Liverpool, but most pertinent of all is this: how?
It is a question that can sometimes be forgotten, neglected even.
As Luis Suarez slaloms through another set of limbs, or as Daniel Sturridge glances over his shoulder and takes aim, or as Jordan Henderson runs and runs some more, the question of how? is hardly asked. Instead, there is just an embrace that it simply is happening.
But it is something that should be asked. The Reds have gone from seventh to genuine title contenders in a season, scoring three or more goals in 16 league matches – including five against Tottenham and Arsenal, four against Everton, and three against Manchester United.
It is those three goals against United which has catapulted Liverpool into the title race, and into public consciousness. Brendan Rodgers has spoken of conversations throughout the season; right now, his side are the hottest topic in Europe and have tongues wagging, moving just four points adrift of Chelsea with a game in hand.
But how did it happen? Specifically, how did Rodgers take his side to Old Trafford and produce one of the most comprehensive beatings to United in recent memory?
To simply point at Suarez, Sturridge and Steven Gerrard would be unfair; so, too, would wryly suggesting David Moyes' presence in the home dugout was the sole contributing factor.
If the United result is one to announce the Reds as a genuine runner in this title race, then it should also herald Rodgers as one of the league's finest tacticians.
It is something he, arguably, doesn't receive enough praise for. But this was another big game won with his indelible imprint upon it.
Against Everton, his deployment of Suarez, Sturridge and Raheem Sterling across the front three left John Stones in a spin; against Arsenal, his use of Philippe Coutinho as a third midfielder opened up what had been – until then – a solid back-line.
Manchester United FC v Liverpool FC in the Barclays Premier League at Old Trafford Pictures: Andrew TeebayView gallery
Rodgers went with a diamond against United - similar to the one at Southampton, with Sterling taking the place of Coutinho at the tip of it.
This was crucial to combating Marouane Fellaini; the speed and surprising strength of Sterling flummoxed the Belgian throughout. While Coutinho may have been enveloped by the former Everton man, Sterling had the pace to drive past him, and once he was past him, Fellaini had no chance to catching him.
Sterling made three dribbles, although he was also dispossessed three times, while he attempted 30 passes with an 87% accuracy – good figures, particularly given he wasn't playing in his natural position.
The impact on Fellaini was also noticeable too. He successfully tackled Sterling just once, while Sterling went past him three times; he was also dispossessed three times, and was forced to play much deeper, the fear of Sterling on the counter attack pinning him back.
Indeed, Rodgers entire midfield shape was key to the victory. Joe Allen and Henderson were used slightly advanced of Gerrard and pressed their United counterparts.
United's penchant for crossing balls from wide areas has been well documented, but the presence of Allen and Henderson ensured their wide players – Adnan Januzaj and Juan Mata – had no time on the ball.
When either wide man received the ball, Henderson or Allen would do one of two things – look to retrieve it themselves, or cover for full-backs Jon Flanagan and Glen Johnson, who would press immediately.
Mata and Januzaj managed only two successful dribbles combined, while six failed. They also attempted just two crosses (United had 20 overall), neither finding the mark. Credit should go to Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel, who led the defence wonderfully, and made it compact; no wonder Januzaj and Mata thought twice about sending the ball into a cluster of white shirts.
With Moyes opting for a two-man midfield with Mata and Januzaj out wide, it also meant Liverpool dominated the centre. Mata and Januzaj were forced to come inside and help Fellaini and Michael Carrick. As a result, their threat from out wide was non-existent, with Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie both toiling, isolated, higher up the pitch. Eventually, Rooney was shifted wide by Moyes as a desperate last throw of a loaded dice.
Allen and Henderson made 17 tackles between them, winning nine of them, and managed two interceptions; the duo were also good in possession - Allen in particular, with 90% success rate - while Henderson had more touches (86) than any other Liverpool player.
Their endeavour and workmanlike approach epitomised the entire team, and permeated through it. There was uncertainty how Moyes would approach this game, whether it would be similar to his tactics frequently used in Merseyside derbies of old, or instead look to roll back the years to Sir Alex Ferguson's gung-ho, all-out attack.
Liverpool made all of that redundant, snapping at heels from the opening whistle; Flanagan, in particular, buzzing around the pedestrian home side. He would end with nine tackles, three tackles and seven clearances.
Manchester United FC v Liverpool FC in the Barclays Premier League at Old Trafford. Jon Flanagan challenges Marouane Fellaini. Pic Andrew Teebay.
Make no mistake, teams do not go to Old Trafford and win 3-0 without individual brilliance. Gerrard, in particular, was phenomenal; penalties aside, he produced one of the finest midfield performances of a generation, building the platform for Allen, Henderson and Sterling ahead.
Suarez and Sturridge were pests throughout, too; at one point in the second half, with United edging on top, the pair exchanged passes from 25 yards – Suarez with the outside of his knitted boot, Sturridge with his leather instep. It showed how capable they were of getting a third; it panicked United into not pushing high up the pitch again.
But that individuality counts for nothing without intelligence to supplement it. The Mona Lisa would simply be the wife of Francesco del Giocondo if not for paintbrushes, after all.
Rodgers is adorning his own canvas with colours bright and beautiful. For all the talk of Suarez, Sturridge, Gerrard and others – and how the talk is deserved – it is time to recognise that the excellence on the pitch is being matched in the dugout. The two go hand-in-hand.
And so, for one moment, focus on the how. How have Liverpool managed to get themselves into this position, and how did they win 3-0 at Old Trafford? The answer is not limited to this alone, but needs to be said regardless: Brendan Rodgers.
No comments:
Post a Comment