Apr 12, 2021Roberto Firmino offers a timely reminder of his valueIt has been a difficult season for Roberto Firmino. For large parts of the season, he has cut a frustrated figure. …4 min read
Apr 8, 2021Like a player, Jürgen Klopp is in a bad run of Liverpool formIt is interesting how we — as the wider football commentariat — talk about managers and coaches compared to players. Players can have good runs of form or bad runs of form. For managers, it’s more linear: They are good or bad. But that seems wrong. Good managers — great…7 min read
Mar 13, 2021Thiago’s underlying numbers show why he will be a Premier League starFew teams have invested so much into the concept of data as Liverpool, both in terms of time and resources. From employing data scientists, to chasing inefficiencies in the transfer market to mid-match analysis sessions that value metrics, heat maps and 3D designs as much as heart and emotion, Liverpool…13 min read
Mar 7, 2021How Steven Gerrard built a juggernaut and what comes nextIt was just after lunchtime on a chilly summer day when Steven Gerrard found himself staring at the wall. It was his first day at Auchenhowie, Rangers’ training complex in Milngavie, East Dunbartonshire. Something didn’t feel right. Are both those monitors supposed to be on the left side of the…14 min read
Mar 5, 2021Jürgen Klopp is facing the most difficult challenge of his Liverpool careerIt is hard to overstate the enormity of the challenge facing Jürgen Klopp and his staff right now. Already, there has been a shift in mindset as it regards the current season. It’s a mess, but all will be well once the season ends and the team can re-group, the…6 min read
Mar 2, 2021Liverpool’s pressing machine is stuck in the mudBack in the summer of 2018, Peter Krawietz sat down with author Christoph Biermann to outline his vision of football. …7 min read
Feb 24, 2021Klopp must learn the lessons from his past to push Liverpool into a new futureDoes Jurgen Klopp need naïve footballers to succeed? — Jürgen Klopp, as much as any top manager in world football, needs total and complete buy-in from his players. Not only in the big picture context, but day-to-day. …13 min read
Feb 14, 2021Punditry in football is now problematic for Premier League consumers“Hmmm,” GRAEME Souness stares up to the ceiling. He tilts his head. He sighs. “The boy’s gone over softly there”. He takes a second pause, raising his hand in exasperation. A light flickers in Roy Keane’s eye. The left side of his mouth curls. His brow drops. He’s ready. …16 min read
Feb 10, 2021The European Super League is on its way, and fans should be worriedIn the sports world, as in life, the future is always more interesting than the present. Cap room and draft picks can be anything! Is this the summer of Mbappé or Sancho or Haaland or Raphinha? Should we switch to a 4–2–3–1 or a diamond? Hypotheticals are fun. …10 min read
Jan 19, 2021We need to talk about corners: A change in style could have a profound effectOne tidbit to monitor as Liverpool move on from Manchester United and prepare for Burnley on Thursday: the profile of Liverpool’s attacking corners. Last season, Jurgen Klopp’s side had a very specific profile. Klopp likes outswingers. And he likes outswingers that specifically target the near post. In 2019/20, Liverpool finished…9 min read
