Keilso
Well-Known Member
Posted this earlier on the wrong thread.
Most modern systems work, the key is having the correct players to fit into your system and coaching.
Last year we predominately played 433, occasionally for short periods we went to 4231, kent or Hagi would be moved into the central 10 role, but what annoyed me, was this was usually for a short time and then one of them would be subbed and back to a 433. (4222 was also used occasionally).
433 is known for being very attacking, sometimes as many as 7 players 3 attackers, 2 Full backs and 2 midfielders, yet we failed to keep up with the other mob in goals.
Most 433 set ups have evolved from the Dutch "Total football" through to Tika taka and usually requires 3 very technical midfielders (Holder, Controller and creator)
Liverpool's 433 is different, more counter attacking (rather than a control set up above) with lots of quick attacks from Full backs, Sane / Salah and box to box midfielders.
We obviously prefer control tactics, as most teams sit in. (However, i would like to see us counter attacking at pace more often).
433 control set ups rely on triangles and I didn't observe enough of the quick triangle movement / passing last season (We used this to good effect under Warburton, although we had other deficiencies).
To many times I saw players not moving the ball quickly enough (vital against deep defences), especially our wide players Kent, Aribo, barker and our midfielders Kamara, Davies and to a lesser extent Jack.
For instance Kent (not always) would pick up the ball and first look to attack the full back (we then get onto the edge of our seats) and he then checks out of the direct attack and looks to play the easy / slow pass inside or back .
For me this is a coaching issue, players need to move the ball faster, and have better movement.
Secondly as mentioned we need more goals especially from the wide two and another 1 or 2 midfielders, to much weight is put on Alfie's shoulders.
In modern, one centre forward formations, the CF is required to undertake a variety of responsibilities. He must be good at holding ball while his wide and midfield teammates make runs around him. The centre forward is one who usually uncharacteristically is self-less in this formation.
4231 imo, is more balanced, with the double pivot, again you can have 4 or 5 players attacking, add the full backs for 7. However, due to only technically having two midfielders, the 3 behind the Striker are required to drop into midfield, during defensive passages. This may not be an issue against weak opponents or at Home but in more difficult games (better European opposition, away on a Wednesday night to Aberdeen etc.) we will struggle sometimes.
Summary
1. Develop / adopt and coach more than one formation.
For me 4231 against weaker opponents, at home, maybe chasing a goal).
433 as used last season for more difficult games Europe, C****c etc.
I would even have the team work on 4222, for when we require a goal.
Lastly would also work on counter attacking system, when we are ahead and teams lose possession high up, not always a fan of us controlling the game / slowing the pace down (after regaining possession) and not looking for the killer second goal, unless it's the last few minutes.
2. Sign players to fit the system or coach players better, this point 2 could go on forever but the most obvious to me, as stated above our attacking players, outwith Alfie must start scoring more goals.
We need players with an eye for goal, one of the issues I have with our current crop of players is a lack of hunger / desire to get into the box. To many times I see Kent and others daydreaming out wide, when good delivers are played in from Tav and vice versa from the left.
3. Not completely but reduce the number of crosses into the box, especially from deeper positions and look to play / utilise more triangles / better movement, quicker passing to open up pack defences.
This can easily be coached /adapted, hell, we were great under Warbuton for this but became to obvious and failed to use any crosses (remember corners).
This will help with point 2 and allow others more time to get into and out of the box, wide players getting to the bye line with movement / passing will have more options to pick out a player as well as dragging opposition players out of position.
Apologies for the long winded post.
Most modern systems work, the key is having the correct players to fit into your system and coaching.
Last year we predominately played 433, occasionally for short periods we went to 4231, kent or Hagi would be moved into the central 10 role, but what annoyed me, was this was usually for a short time and then one of them would be subbed and back to a 433. (4222 was also used occasionally).
433 is known for being very attacking, sometimes as many as 7 players 3 attackers, 2 Full backs and 2 midfielders, yet we failed to keep up with the other mob in goals.
Most 433 set ups have evolved from the Dutch "Total football" through to Tika taka and usually requires 3 very technical midfielders (Holder, Controller and creator)
Liverpool's 433 is different, more counter attacking (rather than a control set up above) with lots of quick attacks from Full backs, Sane / Salah and box to box midfielders.
We obviously prefer control tactics, as most teams sit in. (However, i would like to see us counter attacking at pace more often).
433 control set ups rely on triangles and I didn't observe enough of the quick triangle movement / passing last season (We used this to good effect under Warburton, although we had other deficiencies).
To many times I saw players not moving the ball quickly enough (vital against deep defences), especially our wide players Kent, Aribo, barker and our midfielders Kamara, Davies and to a lesser extent Jack.
For instance Kent (not always) would pick up the ball and first look to attack the full back (we then get onto the edge of our seats) and he then checks out of the direct attack and looks to play the easy / slow pass inside or back .
For me this is a coaching issue, players need to move the ball faster, and have better movement.
Secondly as mentioned we need more goals especially from the wide two and another 1 or 2 midfielders, to much weight is put on Alfie's shoulders.
In modern, one centre forward formations, the CF is required to undertake a variety of responsibilities. He must be good at holding ball while his wide and midfield teammates make runs around him. The centre forward is one who usually uncharacteristically is self-less in this formation.
4231 imo, is more balanced, with the double pivot, again you can have 4 or 5 players attacking, add the full backs for 7. However, due to only technically having two midfielders, the 3 behind the Striker are required to drop into midfield, during defensive passages. This may not be an issue against weak opponents or at Home but in more difficult games (better European opposition, away on a Wednesday night to Aberdeen etc.) we will struggle sometimes.
Summary
1. Develop / adopt and coach more than one formation.
For me 4231 against weaker opponents, at home, maybe chasing a goal).
433 as used last season for more difficult games Europe, C****c etc.
I would even have the team work on 4222, for when we require a goal.
Lastly would also work on counter attacking system, when we are ahead and teams lose possession high up, not always a fan of us controlling the game / slowing the pace down (after regaining possession) and not looking for the killer second goal, unless it's the last few minutes.
2. Sign players to fit the system or coach players better, this point 2 could go on forever but the most obvious to me, as stated above our attacking players, outwith Alfie must start scoring more goals.
We need players with an eye for goal, one of the issues I have with our current crop of players is a lack of hunger / desire to get into the box. To many times I see Kent and others daydreaming out wide, when good delivers are played in from Tav and vice versa from the left.
3. Not completely but reduce the number of crosses into the box, especially from deeper positions and look to play / utilise more triangles / better movement, quicker passing to open up pack defences.
This can easily be coached /adapted, hell, we were great under Warbuton for this but became to obvious and failed to use any crosses (remember corners).
This will help with point 2 and allow others more time to get into and out of the box, wide players getting to the bye line with movement / passing will have more options to pick out a player as well as dragging opposition players out of position.
Apologies for the long winded post.