One of Jurgen Klopp’s most famous lines is that of counter-pressing as the best playmaker.
Throughout the German’s tenure at Liverpool, counter-pressing has been central to his side’s success, not only in terms of creating chances for Liverpool against disorganized defences, but also in stopping counterattacks by rivals.
This season, however, a mixture of problems has led to a decline in Liverpool’s performances. A major reason for this is that their back pressure is less effective.
Liverpool’s defensive activity in the opposition half this season has also dropped compared to previous seasons. In 2022-23, Liverpool are making far fewer defensive actions in the left half space, but the overall drop is also notable: their volume of out-of-possession actions is clearly more league average than the league leader.
Worse back pressure means less protection for the defensive line in transitions, and it’s no wonder Liverpool have conceded the highest expected goals (xG) from Fast Breaks in the Premier League this season. A Fast Break is defined by Opta as a try created after the defending team quickly turns defense into attack, after winning the ball in their own half. Simply put: a counterattack.
Also, with 0.24 xG conceded from Fast Breaks per 90, Liverpool have conceded the most dangerous chances on counter-attacks this season in the Premier League. The rate is double what they have been granting in previous years.
| season | xG loaned from Fast Breaks for 90 |
|---|---|
|
2019-20 |
0.125 |
|
2020-21 |
0.072 |
|
2021-22 |
0.111 |
|
2022-23 |
0.243 |
With almost half the season played, Liverpool have already conceded 12 shots from counter-attacking situations, the most in the league, more than they conceded in the whole of 2020-21 (10), and are edging closer to totals of the last season (15) and 2019-20 (18).
As can be seen below in the first game of the season, the inability of Fabinho and Thiago to win the ball back for Liverpool, after Jordan Henderson had just lost it, allowed Fulham to start a counter-attack which ended with Aleksandar Mitrovic heading the ball into the net. .
At first, Fabinho wins the aerial duel and the ball falls close to Henderson.
The England midfielder tries to play the ball over the Fulham defense but Tim Ream heads the ball into the center of the pitch. The three closest players to tackle the loose ball are Fulham’s Fabinho, Thiago and Andreas Pereira. It’s a situation where Liverpool’s midfield would normally rush to win the ball back.
However, it is Pereira who gets to the ball first. The proximity of Thiago and Fabinho, however, means they should be able to pressure the Fulham midfielder and win the ball back for Liverpool…
… but Pereira walks past them…
… and sets up Harrison Reed to start the transition leading to Fulham’s first goal of the game.
Another example is against Manchester United when Liverpool were trying to get back into the game. Here, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross is headed by Raphael Varane into midfield, where Henderson can easily take possession.
However, a poor touch from the midfielder results in the ball reaching Anthony Martial, allowing United to start their counter.
Virgil van Dijk and Henderson try to counter-press and regain possession, but Martial dribbles past the two…
… although Henderson had a second chance to win the ball back. Outside of Joe Gomez, Marcus Rashford is making a quick run in behind the Liverpool defence…
… that Martial sees and plays his pass to the England striker, who beats Alisson to double United’s lead.
Perhaps Liverpool’s most glaring failure to counter-press this season was seen in the build-up to Wilfried Zaha’s goal for Crystal Palace at Anfield. In what is a normal phase of possession where the Reds comfortably control the game, Mohamed Salah dribbles into the pitch but loses the ball under pressure from the Palau players.
The ball reaches Joachim Andersen. Vicente Guaita plays it back to his goalkeeper, who sends it long towards Eberechi Eze.
Once Eze gets the ball, it’s a textbook Liverpool counter-pressing situation where Alexander-Arnold drops to press Eze and Fabinho moves sideways to catch him.
But Eze walks past them…
… and becomes free on the counterattack. Instead of taking the ball forward, the Palace midfielder plays it to Zaha, who scores to give Palace the lead.
After the draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup last Saturday, Klopp lamented that his side “didn’t win enough challenges”. Throughout this season, this has been reflected in the regression of Liverpool’s pressing when the opposition have the ball, and the counter-pressing when Liverpool have just lost the ball.
Liverpool’s problems won’t be fixed once their off-the-ball performances improve, but it’s a key part of their game that has guided the team to glory in previous seasons. Better counter-pressing will limit opponents’ counter-attacks and also keep Liverpool in control of the game.
Klopp’s other famous quote is about heavy metal football. But for that to happen again, Liverpool will need to improve their counter-pressing.
(Top photo: Catherine Ivill via Getty Images)
Source: Liverpool aren’t winning the ball back like they used to – it’s a counter-pressing issue
