So the diamond has made its first appearance of the season and for the second time this year it has been successfully implemented against Pochettino’s men following last season’s win at St. Mary’s by the same score line. There were actually a lot of similarities between the two games which this article will identify. Brendan showed his tactical qualities once more in what was a convincing display against a side that have started the season well and would have approached yesterday’s game with a lot of confidence. Last week I spoke about how Liverpool shouldn’t feel ashamed to go into certain games and play with a counter attacking approach and with Tottenham having 61% of the possession and completing almost twice as many passes than the Redmen it looks as if Rodgers set the side up to do just that. The introduction of Balotelli into the team in place of Coutinho as well as having Sterling through the middle says a lot about our approach as well. Coutinho’s trickery and intricate final third passing is likely to be a more more useful asset against sides who will come to Anfield and sit deep compared to the pace of Sterling and the strength and hold up play of Balotelli, both useful on the counter attack in fixtures like this.
I also spoke last week about the defensive weaknesses in the side and whilst there were still moments that made the heart jump such as Chadli’s chance (which brought back memories of Crystal Palace’s heart breaking equaliser last season with both centre backs being drawn to the ball), Lovren’s occasional tendency to dive into challenges when dragged into the wide areas and Sakho’s passing, overall the defence was much improved. Both full backs were brilliant and highly effective in 1v1 situations which is important in a diamond formation where in certain scenarios they can become isolated and two of the goals were initiated by them challenging for possession on half way with Moreno looking a lot more comfortable than he did on his debut.
The midfield certainly played their part as well and they too were much more effective than last Monday although the opposition were certainly inferior in comparison this time. Gerrard, Allen and Henderson broke up play well with Gerrard’s defensive performance uncharacteristically stronger than his offensive performance (his 71% pass success rate ranked 10th of the 14 players that featured). Henderson and Allen contributed strongly at both ends of the field. They are both suited for the positions they operate in the diamond, Henderson particularly. He was really important in covering for Flanagan in that game at St. Mary’s last year, a vital role of that position in this system and without wanting to refer to that Crystal Palace game too often he was desperately missed when Lucas was asked to fill that role. Henderson did another good job yesterday in supporting Manquillo whilst going forward he was essential in the lead up to the first goal as well as providing the assist from that inside right channel, converted by the impressive Sterling. He also found the net at St, Mary’s last season drawing further comparisons between the two games. Allen was also more efficient with his defensive performance covering for Moreno and filling gaps that too often appeared on Monday night and again he contributed offensively as in the inside left channel it was he who won a slightly controversial penalty which the skipper despatched, just as he did at Southampton last year, before Moreno added the 3rd with a goal reminiscent of the early days of John Arne Riise.
Offensively the players are very aware of their roles in this formation and that’s why it proved a success. There is a good understanding of who takes up which position when players interchange with Henderson and Sterling breaking into the box for the first goal to make up for the fact that Sturridge and Balotelli were not in positions to do so. In the first two games this season we’ve lacked that depth at times so it was good to see that players were running beyond the forwards and getting into goal scoring positions.
Balotelli impressed but much like I said about Lovren and Moreno last week there he needs time to develop an understanding with Sturridge, to re-adjust to the demands of the Premier League and to fine tune his finishing. Overall I was impressed by him though and the fact he contributed defensively as well, closing down from the front and dropping into a wide midfield role in certain defensive scenarios bodes well for the future.
Brendan brought on Can and Markovic again and changed the system to a 4-3-3 in order to see out the game which reflects the greater depth we have to the side now. Even though he was only on for a short while I think we saw glimpses of real quality in Emre Can again. He looks strong and powerful and I think is going to be a real asset in our midfield for certain games.
I would like to have seen Lambert come on yesterday. It was a good opportunity for him to come into the team as so far he has entered games in situations where we have been struggling and have needed a big contribution from him which puts pressure on a player who is already desperate enough to impress. This would have given him an opportunity to come into the side with the game virtually won allowing him to relax a bit more and possibly find that first goal.
Overall it was a highly accomplished performance from the Redmen though and we go into the international break in really good situation. We are 3 points up on the corresponding fixtures from last season, we have scored 6 goals in 3 games without Suarez and we have our first clean sheet of the campaign. There is plenty to look forward to.
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