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Rodgers reaches a tactical crossroads at Liverpoolby Kristian Walsh
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For all the talk about the progress Brendan Rodgers has made at Liverpool, it would seem little has changed at Anfield over the past few months. It is still a club maddeningly inconsistent with results, one that flitters between optimism and pessimism on a weekly basis. Impressive victories by threes, fours and fives are soon followed by spectacular failures at inopportune times.
Looks can be deceiving. Since the turn of the year, Liverpool have been the fourth best team in the Premier League and the highest goalscorers with 26. The difference between the Liverpool of August and now is substantial. When Rodgers took charge in the summer, there was much talk of death by football, resting on the ball and sterile domination. It was accepted by most that it would take time to implement these ideas, yet there were signs of it developing at the start of the season, even if results failed to follow.
But in recent months, that guide has been tossed to the wayside. Rodgers has not quite torn up the playbook, but it has certainly been scribbled upon. Simply put, Liverpool have resembled a counter-attacking team – some would even argue long-ball, though Anfield is yet to witness a centre-half hoofing hopelessly to a giant striker. It is certainly a digression from a narrative seemingly written in permanent ink.
The first goal against Wigan earlier this month provided a perfect snapshot. With a minute played, Pepe Reina launched the ball 70 yards to Philippe Coutinho, who set up the onrushing Stewart Downing in the six yard box. It was a goal that took barely 10 seconds and five touches to score. The second and fourth goals at the DW Stadium followed a similar pattern. Short, sideways passing and patient probing has not fully disappeared, but it has certainly been nudged aside for a more direct, purposeful attacking set-up.
There have been moments of both, of course. José Enrique’s goal against Swansea was a glorious footballing carousel, his emphatic finish a brutal end to a majestic move. Against Spurs, Enrique turned provider for Luis Suárez, who rounded off an excellent passing move on the left-hand side. It is worth noting the difference between the Liverpool of November, who went to White Hart Lane, dominated the ball and lost; and the Liverpool of four months later, who saw little of the ball and won.
Some would point at the signing of Daniel Sturridge and Coutinho as part of the transformation. Both players bring pace and directness to a side that has been so bereft of it in recent years, allowing Liverpool to sit deeper and stretch their legs.
But it is not an exact science: counter-attacking football is founded on defensive solidity, something Liverpool are missing. They have conceded 39 in the league this season, shipping two or more in 16 of their 30 games. As their 3-1 defeat at Southampton proved, the system does not always work.
The shift in style provides a dilemma for Rodgers, because Liverpool’s results have largely improved with it. They have won 17 points out of the last possible 30 in a run of fixtures that included four of the Premier League’s top five.
Rodgers came to Anfield with a reputation of having an unwavering confidence in his coaching. It was a confidence bordering on didacticism, and a steadfast stubbornness to change from his favoured 4-3-3 formation. This has proven to be wrong.
Though Southampton proved a chastening lesson, Rodgers has shown he likes a Brazilian-style 4-2-4, as well as revealing earlier in the season that he wants to play 3-5-2. He has also showed pragmatism at times, particularly in playing Jordan Henderson and Downing in the wide areas, though he has inexplicably started to marginalise Henderson once more.
Herein lies the dilemma Rodgers faces: continue this counter-attacking style to get the best out of his players now, or reintroduce the long-term strategy he was brought in to deliver. It is pragmatism versus idealism, short-term versus long-term. It is a game of poker between himself, the club’s owners and those demanding instant success.
Much like his Liverpool career so far, there is a sense that he is damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t.
Share:
For all the talk about the progress Brendan Rodgers has made at Liverpool, it would seem little has changed at Anfield over the past few months. It is still a club maddeningly inconsistent with results, one that flitters between optimism and pessimism on a weekly basis. Impressive victories by threes, fours and fives are soon followed by spectacular failures at inopportune times.
Looks can be deceiving. Since the turn of the year, Liverpool have been the fourth best team in the Premier League and the highest goalscorers with 26. The difference between the Liverpool of August and now is substantial. When Rodgers took charge in the summer, there was much talk of death by football, resting on the ball and sterile domination. It was accepted by most that it would take time to implement these ideas, yet there were signs of it developing at the start of the season, even if results failed to follow.
But in recent months, that guide has been tossed to the wayside. Rodgers has not quite torn up the playbook, but it has certainly been scribbled upon. Simply put, Liverpool have resembled a counter-attacking team – some would even argue long-ball, though Anfield is yet to witness a centre-half hoofing hopelessly to a giant striker. It is certainly a digression from a narrative seemingly written in permanent ink.
The first goal against Wigan earlier this month provided a perfect snapshot. With a minute played, Pepe Reina launched the ball 70 yards to Philippe Coutinho, who set up the onrushing Stewart Downing in the six yard box. It was a goal that took barely 10 seconds and five touches to score. The second and fourth goals at the DW Stadium followed a similar pattern. Short, sideways passing and patient probing has not fully disappeared, but it has certainly been nudged aside for a more direct, purposeful attacking set-up.
There have been moments of both, of course. José Enrique’s goal against Swansea was a glorious footballing carousel, his emphatic finish a brutal end to a majestic move. Against Spurs, Enrique turned provider for Luis Suárez, who rounded off an excellent passing move on the left-hand side. It is worth noting the difference between the Liverpool of November, who went to White Hart Lane, dominated the ball and lost; and the Liverpool of four months later, who saw little of the ball and won.
Some would point at the signing of Daniel Sturridge and Coutinho as part of the transformation. Both players bring pace and directness to a side that has been so bereft of it in recent years, allowing Liverpool to sit deeper and stretch their legs.
But it is not an exact science: counter-attacking football is founded on defensive solidity, something Liverpool are missing. They have conceded 39 in the league this season, shipping two or more in 16 of their 30 games. As their 3-1 defeat at Southampton proved, the system does not always work.
The shift in style provides a dilemma for Rodgers, because Liverpool’s results have largely improved with it. They have won 17 points out of the last possible 30 in a run of fixtures that included four of the Premier League’s top five.
Rodgers came to Anfield with a reputation of having an unwavering confidence in his coaching. It was a confidence bordering on didacticism, and a steadfast stubbornness to change from his favoured 4-3-3 formation. This has proven to be wrong.
Though Southampton proved a chastening lesson, Rodgers has shown he likes a Brazilian-style 4-2-4, as well as revealing earlier in the season that he wants to play 3-5-2. He has also showed pragmatism at times, particularly in playing Jordan Henderson and Downing in the wide areas, though he has inexplicably started to marginalise Henderson once more.
Herein lies the dilemma Rodgers faces: continue this counter-attacking style to get the best out of his players now, or reintroduce the long-term strategy he was brought in to deliver. It is pragmatism versus idealism, short-term versus long-term. It is a game of poker between himself, the club’s owners and those demanding instant success.
Much like his Liverpool career so far, there is a sense that he is damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t.
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