I’ve been thinking for a while about how to structure this thread because I wanted to cover #Nyoni’s impact both in possession and out of possession.
There’s simply too much material to fit into one thread without making it exhausting to read, so I decided to split it into separate parts. Long tactical threads can be difficult to get through, and I don’t want this one to feel like a chore.
This part will focus on how Trey Nyoni leaves his mark on the team in possession - how he creates freedom for the full-backs, manipulates the opposition press, and facilitates ball progression through different variations and mechanisms.
Let’s get into it🧵#LFC
To implement a +1 structure, you need defensively well-drilled players with strong game intelligence who can recognise and prevent the opposition from creating spatial, positional and numerical advantages. Commitment is the foundation.
Below, we can see how Chelsea build-up in a 1.4.3.3, with Lavia dropping into a 2+1 structure and slotting in between the centre-backs. The full-backs push higher and wider to pin Rio and partially occupy Koumas, who maintains access to Gusto. Henderson and Caicedo occupy Nyoni and Gravenberch, dragging them outwards and creating space centrally to combine through third-man movements.
Liverpool defended in a 1.4.4.2, with Gakpo and McConnell as the two forwards. JMc curves his pressing run to cut off the passing lane into Lavia. This is the moment when Gakpo needs to recognise the threat posed by Chelsea’s build-up rather than passively and ineffectively occupying space around Fofana. Shifting across towards Lavia would still restrict the passing options into Fofana while allowing Liverpool to retain access to the Belgian.
This movement would help condense the central area, with the aim of winning the ball back and turning the opposition’s build-up pattern into a pressing trap and a goalscoring opportunity.
Caicedo then bursts towards the ball carrier, opening up space behind him for Rogers, who recognises the opportunity and attacks it.
Iraola needs to switch to a more man-oriented marking approach against stronger opposition. Given Arsenal’s rotations, with White moving inside, Calafiori occupying the left half-space as a No. L10 and Rice dropping between the centre-backs, I think they’ll look to reproduce these patterns at the weekend #LFC
You know, pressing has to work like a healthy organism. Each element is like an organ (the heart, liver, etc.), and if even one of them starts malfunctioning, problems begin to arise. I can see who, in my subjective opinion, is struggling to adapt, but I don’t want to be dogmatic about it, because it’s never too late to learn
Alternatively, as illustrated in Image 3, we could try having Gravenberch pick up Lavia, Koumas track Henderson, and Gakpo take responsibility for Gusto. However, I feel the distances required to access those players are too great to effectively cover the overloads at that speed and intensity of play
To implement a +1 structure, you need defensively well-drilled players with strong game intelligence who can recognise and prevent the opposition from creating spatial, positional and numerical advantages. Commitment is the foundation.
Below, we can see how Chelsea build-up in a 1.4.3.3, with Lavia dropping into a 2+1 structure and slotting in between the centre-backs. The full-backs push higher and wider to pin Rio and partially occupy Koumas, who maintains access to Gusto. Henderson and Caicedo occupy Nyoni and Gravenberch, dragging them outwards and creating space centrally to combine through third-man movements.
Liverpool defended in a 1.4.4.2, with Gakpo and McConnell as the two forwards. JMc curves his pressing run to cut off the passing lane into Lavia. This is the moment when Gakpo needs to recognise the threat posed by Chelsea’s build-up rather than passively and ineffectively occupying space around Fofana. Shifting across towards Lavia would still restrict the passing options into Fofana while allowing Liverpool to retain access to the Belgian.
This movement would help condense the central area, with the aim of winning the ball back and turning the opposition’s build-up pattern into a pressing trap and a goalscoring opportunity.
Caicedo then bursts towards the ball carrier, opening up space behind him for Rogers, who recognises the opportunity and attacks it.
Iraola needs to switch to a more man-oriented marking approach against stronger opposition. Given Arsenal’s rotations, with White moving inside, Calafiori occupying the left half-space as a No. L10 and Rice dropping between the centre-backs, I think they’ll look to reproduce these patterns at the weekend #LFC
That f*** +1 is starting to piss me off. To play this way, you need defensively impeccable players across the board, from the front line to the deepest defenders, because Chelsea were once again finding free players between the lines far too easily, as well as exploiting third-man combinations. That’s also a flaw of the 4-4-2, as it often leaves pockets of space where the opposition can find free players
Against Villarreal, I noticed some very concerning signs from Cody Gakpo out of possession, which resurfaced on Sunday against Brighton. While most of the team generally adapted to the opposition’s rotations and structural changes, Gakpo repeatedly failed to track his man in a man-oriented marking/pressing scheme.
A thread illustrating how poor execution of basic individual responsibilities can undermine the effectiveness of the entire team on the pitch. 🧵#LFC
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Well if we learned anything tonight it's that Nyoni is our most valuable CM alongside MacAllister. Wirtz to complete the trio and Dom back in at RB and we're in good shape.
Renew Virg, but the rest of the Dutch lads can go, they aren't bad players they're just not up to it.
Yes, but notice that we play long balls from the middle as well, and we don’t necessarily have to win those first balls. The point is that the IP seems to stem from the OOP. So even if we don’t win the first ball, we still pin the opposition back close to their own goal. This is definitely a starting point for how Iraola wants it to look in the future, but you’re right
I think the second half started with man-marking, but that’s a topic for tomorrow once I’ve watched the match a second time. I really like your graphics, by the way - they illustrate the problem brilliantly
That f*** +1 is starting to piss me off. To play this way, you need defensively impeccable players across the board, from the front line to the deepest defenders, because Chelsea were once again finding free players between the lines far too easily, as well as exploiting third-man combinations. That’s also a flaw of the 4-4-2, as it often leaves pockets of space where the opposition can find free players
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Watching the #Spurs game for the second time, and I’m doubling down on my take: Trey Nyoni is a £100m player, and I genuinely believe he could transform Liverpool’s season.
His performance from Tuesday will probably feature in the thread as well. What a player. Absolutely phenomenal talent, with an incredible understanding of the pivot role #Nyoni
Exploiting the momentum of Brighton’s transition from man-marking to zonal marking, with excellent timing in taking advantage of the unfolding situation.
Liverpool disrupts Brighton’s defensive structure through coordinated movement. Isak drops deep to receive from Kerkez, drawing Vuskovic out of position. Gakpo makes an inward run, while Kerkez stretches Gomez horizontally. On the far side, Wirtz occupies two defenders, while Gravenberch pulls Pascal Groß away, preventing him from stepping into the newly opened space to cover it.
Crucially, Isak doesn’t return to his nominal position but stays on the same vertical line as Gakpo, exploiting the disruption. Gomez abandons Kerkez to compensate, but it’s already too late. Liverpool capitalises on the brief moment when Brighton’s defensive structure is caught between man-marking responsibilities and zonal assignments #LFC
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The games against Villarreal and Atlético de Madrid show that the only way to control the opposition with the ball is to defend man-to-man, forcing them into duels.
Against Brighton, top team, there was no last-call effect, so Liverpool opted to defend deeper in the second half.
That question was a bit of a trick question earlier, and I was hoping for a more in-depth answer from you, so thank you
Against Villarreal, I noticed some very concerning signs from Cody Gakpo out of possession, which resurfaced on Sunday against Brighton. While most of the team generally adapted to the opposition’s rotations and structural changes, Gakpo repeatedly failed to track his man in a man-oriented marking/pressing scheme.
A thread illustrating how poor execution of basic individual responsibilities can undermine the effectiveness of the entire team on the pitch. 🧵#LFC