Jurgen Klopp was asked what tactical modifications did he make in the second half when the scoreline was reading 2-2 in the Premier League contest.
Follow Us
Liverpool and Fulham played out an entertaining contest in the Premier League at the weekend, which was narrowly won by the Reds 4-3. The Reds fought back from a 3-2 deficit to win the game with two late strikes. Trent Alexander-Arnold was once again the hero of the side with his late winner. Besides, there were plenty of memorable goals being scored during that game. However, it was not all about the good things, as Liverpool looked shaky at times in defence.
Hence, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was asked what tactical modifications did he make in the second half when the scoreline was reading 2-2 in the Premier League contest. “Again, this game for the six when we were not that compact, I didn’t like. I didn’t like how we defended with the frontline, to be honest, going back. Our defensive press was not outstanding in the first half – that makes it really intense for all midfielders but especially for the six,” Klopp, quoted on the club’s website, said after the match.
He added: “So we changed position in that moment as well, so we needed the width as well, we needed a wing finally again because that didn’t work out too well. It worked out very often very well but there are days where it’s not happening. When you see that Mo gets on the ball and in the first half it was really good. Then Dom could unlap and then we arrive there in a very important area. But now we had Joey out there, which really helped, and then we had then obviously two midfielders, the double six – we played with Ryan and Trent next to each other. But Joey in possession first going inside and then with the next change staying wide.”
Klopp spoke about the importance of the tactical changes they made with plenty of crosses being put in the box towards the end of the match, which unsettled Fulham. “So with all the things you try to do in these moments, if it works out it’s because it’s tricky for the opponent as well – they get used to different things. Tom Cairney played pretty much man-marking against Trent in moments. So when he was then just in the middle, that’s why it was really helpful that we had the wing. I’m not sure how many crosses Joey fired in in the end, a few really good balls, and all of sudden they had to adapt again and that didn’t work out for them and that’s why we could win the game. In these moments, not that we played like that, it becomes a bit of chess. You just try to change something to improve yourself but to make it a bit more tricky for the opponent as well, and today it worked out,” he explained.
The manager then went on to praise the goals scored by Liverpool in that entertaining fixture. “I saw a few games, but I never saw a game with this amount of worldies, to be honest. I mean a competitive game. It was really competitive. Trent’s free-kick, unbelievable. Macca before the game, you could see his foot is right today. He was really in the shooting… I thought, ‘Wow, you should better try it!’ – he obviously thought the same. Wataru was just so important; he came on and that was really good, really good. Won decisive challenges, super passing, a top goal. And then Trent makes it a brace. Honestly, for whatever reason, I didn’t see that ball go in, I was probably turning in that moment or whatever. I haven’t watched it back, but all of them [were] pretty special,” he stated.
More Football Stories:
Wataru Endo news: Why did the Japanese midfielder decide to join Liverpool in the summer?
Manchester United news: How can the Red Devils turn their season around? Scott McTominay responds
Premier League: Which players have scored the most goals in a single season?
EPL stats: Which clubs have conceded the most last-minute winners in Premier League?
EPL stats: Which clubs have scored the most number of last-minute winners in Premier League?
How long will Kevin De Bruyne be out injured? Pep Guardiola responds
