Jurgen Klopp’s much-vaunted tactical philosophy has now very much come to the fore, with Liverpool in the groove, in-form and in with a shout of winning the Premier League.
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Although other factors are in play – good work in the transfer window and the lack of European football shouldn’t go unnoticed – Klopp’s playing style has been key to the Reds’ gradual improvement over the last year.
Liverpool’s interchanging front four of Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana have undoubtedly led the charge for the league’s top scorers, with the quartet responsible for triggering the closing down and hunting in packs.
When executed properly the opposition is suffocated of possession and Liverpool win the ball back in dangerous areas, enabling them to get in on goal easier.This is the main objective of Klopp’s thinking and has underpinned a great deal of the success so far this season. The fitness conditioning the German demands of his players is reaping rewards, with players able to continue harrying defenders right to the final whistle.
Among the best ways to measure this key tenet is through tackles in the opponent’s half; both those which see Liverpool cleanly win possession as well those attempted disrupt the opponents’ attempts to build their own attacks.
Here are the five Liverpool players to have attempted the most tackles in their opponent’s half in Premier League games this season so far.
5. Emre Can
– 7 tackles attempted in the opponent’s half
– Appearances: 8
– Tackles attempted all over the pitch: 28
The German was sidelined by injury early on in the season but has found his way back into the team following injuries to Georginio Wijnaldum and more recently Adam Lallana, with his energy, ambition on the ball and unrelenting desire to win possession back coming to the fore.
All of Can’s attempted tackles in the opposition’s half have come in his last three league games. He is a hard-worker and fast-learner and is only likely to get better under Klopp’s guidance.
4. Roberto Firmino
– 11 tackles attempted in the opponent’s half
– Appearances: 11
– Tackles attempted all over the pitch: 46
Firmino’s position as the false nine in Liverpool’s fluid’s attack has been crucial this season, with his work-rate and adaptability arguably the one thing keeping him ahead of the less flexible Daniel Sturridge.
The Brazilian gets about the pitch, presses from the front and constantly appears in dangerous positions; in short he is Klopp’s ideal foil.
3. Nathaniel Clyne
– 12 tackles attempted in the opponent’s half
– Appearances: 12
– Tackles attempted all over the pitch: 41
The fullback has been consistently excellent since joining from Southampton in 2015, and it is no surprise to his a player of his tenacity and work-rate make it into the top five.
Clyne’s ambition in the final third has seen him create 17 chances in 12 league matches this season, and while he’s up the pitch he is clearly also busy attempting to win the ball back for his side.
=1. Philippe Coutinho
– 18 tackles attempted in the opponent’s half
– Appearances: 12
– Tackles attempted all over the pitch: 48
Considering that Coutinho used to be guilty of inconsistency and was deemed, perhaps harshly, by some to be a ‘luxury player’, his transformation over the past year under Klopp’s tutelage has been impressive.
While his shooting accuracy, creativity and, crucially, his consistency is much improved, his defensive contribution to the team perhaps goes under the radar. The Brazilian has spoken about the similarities between Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino, whom he worked with at Espanyol, and he has certainly bought into the philosophy.
In the 4-2 win over Palace alone, Coutinho attempted five tackles in the Eagles’ half, winning the ball wholly in three of those instances.
=1. Jordan Henderson
– 18 tackles attempted in the opponent’s half
– Appearances: 12
– Tackles attempted all over the pitch: 78
The captain is a deeper-lying midfielder whose primary function is to distribute the ball and keep it moving in the middle of the pitch, but his influence clearly isn’t limited there.
Henderson’s increased responsibility has improved his output in many ways this season and it seems he is using his physicality better: running further, tackling more frequently and putting his side on the front foot.