A 7 goal thriller at Anfield

FORMATIONS

Defensive shape in the first half

Out of possession shape in the second half

Attacking shape while build up

TACTICS

Offensive:

Liverpool were quite direct with their forward passes. Alexander Arnold dropped to the midfield alongside Mac Allister. Szoboszlai moved up in the pockets between Nunez and Salah. In the attacking transition, Diaz kept a central position with Nunez (almost a double ST). Gravenberch and Tsimikas were the two support down on the left side of the pitch.

Liverpool attempted direct passes from the centre midfield to the pocket spaces to Szoboszlai or Diaz. Salah stretched the pitch by staying wide. This created the space for Szoboszlai to exploit. Long balls from Van Dijk and Matip were also common to the flanks. The one-touch pass-and-move strategy was implemented quite well by Jurgen Klopp.

After the substitutions, Arnold and Gomez were the double-pivot, allowing Gravenberch to stay higher up the pitch. After Endo was subbed on, Liverpool shifted to a 4-2-4 system. Endo joined Arnold in the midfield, Salah moved in centrally with Nunez. Gakpo and Diaz were the wide forwards.

Defensive:

Off the ball, Liverpool maintained a 4-3-3 balanced shape. However, they kept Salah forward at all times. Salah stayed up and wide in the right flank in case of a quick counter. As a result, Fulham had to keep a player with Salah -- this reduced the number of players joining the attack for Fulham.

The 3 CMs (Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Gravenberch) were quite close to each other -- narrow shape. This overload near the ball helped them quickly retrieve the ball back.

SET-PIECE ANALYSIS

Corner

Free kick

Liverpool did not use their two CBs (Van Dijk and Matip) as prime targets in the box. Nunez, Diaz and Gravenberch attacked the initial ball into the box. Salah was placed at the extreme post, lurking for any chance to pounce on. Mac Allister and Szoboszlai held their positions at the edge of the box. Be it a corner or a free kick, Salah's position was common.

STRENGTHS

The front 3 threat.

Salah's pace and Diaz's dribbling alongside Nunez's strength can easily create havoc in the opposition's defence. Liverpool is known for their quick break and counter attacks.

Trent Alexander Arnold

He is the heart of the Liverpool working system. He orchestrates the whole game from the midfield. Starts as an RB but drifts inward in the midfield to link up forward play. His explosive passing ability is out of the world. He is now more involved in attacking than the last season. Whenever the chance, he drops in the midfield and makes a forward run through the inside channel to the opposition penalty area.

WEAKNESS

In this match, Liverpool completely "forgot" to mark Harry Wilson in Fulham's 1st goal. They are loose in between the lines and that space can be exploited. Defensively, Arnold is not that good. Creating more 1v1 situations with Arnold can be quite effective and put mental pressure on him.

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**NOTE: I do not own any of the original match clippings. The match clipping is taken from the official streaming of the game. I have used Play by Metrica Sports to telestrate and do my analysis. The analysis is completely my own work, the match recordings are owned by the FA, English Premier League.