.png)
Liverpool only manages a draw against ManUnited
Hello and welcome to the latest edition of our newsletter! Today, our focus is on analyzing the following match:
⚽ Game Analysis: Liverpool vs Manchester United
Today's edition of our newsletter is brought to you by... Once.
Once is a user-friendly 2-in-1 software for analyzing sports videos, featuring TV-like animated graphics and automatic tracking. It is used for both drawing and tagging, eliminating the need for multiple programs to create a professional live or post-match analysis.
Our club has recently started using the Once software, and we're truly impressed. With this tool, we've been able to vividly analyze the areas of our game that we, as a team, want to improve. These insights now allow us to tailor our training more precisely and effectively address our weaknesses. Our players are thrilled and more motivated than ever to enhance their performance on the field.
Use the promo code 'TEAMSOCCER10' to get a 10% discount on Once's video analysis software.
Thank you, Once, for this offer.
Start a 14-day free trial period (No credit card required)
⚽ Game Analysis
Last Sunday, the Red Devils faced Klopp's team, which hadn't suffered any home defeats in the ongoing season. A victory for Klopp's squad would have led them to claim the top spot in the table. Simultaneously, Manchester United could have found their way back into the Top 6 with a win.
Before delving into the details of the game, let's first take a look at the lineups of both teams.
Both teams started on paper with a 4-3-3 formation. Due to injuries, key players were missing from both teams, which was particularly challenging for Manchester United in this tough phase.
Usually, I try to break down games into different phases for analysis. However, this time around, it was a bit challenging. As the game is already two days old, I can share some statistics and facts in advance.
Even though it might seem evident at first glance and according to the statistics, Liverpool should have won convincingly, I must say it didn't quite reflect reality. Despite Liverpool's offensive dominance and majority of ball possession, they struggled to create clear scoring opportunities. Often, they were imprecise and rushed in crucial moments. It wasn't a beautiful top-tier match to watch, but such games are part of football and need to be acknowledged and analyzed by coaches.
Let's take a closer look nonetheless. Klopp's team started energetically, aiming for a high press. Ten Haag's team initially tried to build from the back, involving goalkeeper Onana. However, this mostly resulted in a long ball after the first or second pass, almost always reaching a Liverpool player. Despite their limited ability to create chances through play, they persisted in their attempts at the start of the game. Later, they adjusted to the high press by resorting to long balls to break free. Manchester United had minimal phases of ball possession to display their positional play in the first half. Despite the challenge of playing out from their own half, they persistently attempted to do so at the beginning of the first half.
Liverpool positioned themselves in possession with a 4-2-4 or 2-2-2-4 system. Alexander Arnold shifted from the wide position to midfield, forming the favored box-shaped midfield there.
They occasionally played with only two players in the rearmost line as Manchester United sat deep, prioritizing a solid defense and potential counterattacks. When there were few passing options for the center-backs, Endo or Arnold dropped back into the last line, forming a three-man defense.
Manchester United defended deep and compactly in the popular 4-4-2 formation, which shifted to a 5-3-2 depending on Liverpool's possession. Due to Liverpool's effective pressing and counter-pressing, Manchester United unfortunately had few moments of ball possession. Therefore, there are hardly any meaningful captures of their spatial distribution in the first half that I could share with you.
Throughout the first half, just like the entirety of the match, regretfully, poor decisions prevailed at crucial moments. The gameplay often seemed frantic and uncoordinated, resulting in a lack of fluidity for both teams.
At half-time, the score remained 0-0, and despite their statistical dominance, Liverpool couldn't truly be satisfied with their performance. Despite their apparent superiority in the stats, it didn't translate into a clear advantage on the field.
The start of the second half mirrored the preceding dynamics. Liverpool applied pressure while Manchester United maintained a solid defense. Just as in the first half, their possession was infrequent, yet there was a noticeable moment that illustrated Manchester United's spatial organization during possession.
Here's an example illustrating how Dallot moves into midfield while Onana forms a back-four with the three defenders. Dallot and Amrabat act as the double pivots. If they manage to advance into the second zone, this transforms into a 3-2-2-3/3-2-5 formation.
The second half was more thrilling, and both teams managed to create better chances. Liverpool's most dangerous opportunity was a low shot from Arnold. Similarly, Manchester United had a notable chance when they skillfully escaped Liverpool's pressing. However, this promising moment ended when Hojlund made a rather hasty attempt. Interestingly, despite Liverpool's clear dominance throughout the game, this opportunity appeared to be the best chance of the match.
Conclusion:
Considering the numerous injured players and their current form slump, the draw was somewhat of a success for Manchester United. While Liverpool demonstrated the will and effort to win the game, they often seemed rushed and lacked creativity in the final third. Klopp's team faces an in-form Arsenal next week, demanding a better performance. However, comparing games can be a mistake as each opponent acts differently, and game outcomes remain unpredictable.
In comparison to Manchester United, Arsenal is likely to play a more offensive and daring game, which could create more space for swift counter-attacks. Therefore, I'm looking forward to the upcoming match on Saturday, hoping for an offensive spectacle from both sides
Highlights:
Comentarii