The art of pinning defenders - how Klopp’s Liverpool dismantled Burnley’s 4-4-2 defensive block

Despite being one of the most dynamic attacking teams we’ve seen in the modern era, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool has been accused of being one-dimensional when trying to create chances against a compact defensive mid/low block. While I disagree with the claim in general terms, there have been instances in the past where Liverpool have relied exclusively on crosses from out-wide for chance creation, with the result being efficient but unspectacular. 

In Liverpool’s dominant 2-0 victory on Saturday against Burnley, a well-regarded defensive team, Klopp showcased a few creative chance-creating methods. The German head coach introduced an advanced between-the-lines creator in his midfield 3, in Harvey Elliott, a profile which has been lacking in this team ever since Philippe Coutinho’s departure in 2019. The youngster participated in combination play with the team’s most advanced players, as well as full-backs, and created an effective dynamic on the right flank.

I will attempt to break down some of Liverpool’s most common & effective methods of chance creation from the game, including how pinning Burnley’s defenders 1v1 wreaked havoc in their backline.

STRATEGY

Their main aim in possession was to create space for their attackers to run into, through overloading particular areas on the pitch, whether it was the flanks or the middle. How does that happen? Positional rotations through smart off-ball movement, leading into Burnley’s players rotating out of position. The main way to accomplish that, is for a player to attract (pin) the defender, and drag him out of position. If executed correctly, the defensive block will be stretched laterally or vertically, and gaps will start to appear. After that, it is the attacker’s responsibility to run into the space to get on the end of balls.

STRUCTURE

Liverpool lined up in a rough 3-2-5 formation when in possession of the ball. On the right, Elliott was pushing into the front line around the half-space area, with Mo Salah starting on the touchline, and Trent Alexander-Arnold operating along the midfield line, while making occasional overlapping runs from deep. On the left, Sadio Mané operated in the channel between Burnley’s right back and right center back, and the left back Kostas Tsimikas pushing high & wide and becoming part of the front 5. Diogo Jota as the center forward.

Naby Keïta and Jordan Henderson played as the more conventional midfielders, with the big presence of Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip behind them.

METHOD

• As usual, Liverpool employed their full backs as a major weapon in chance creation. Initially in the build-up, they used the switch of play a lot in in order to hit the underloaded flank, and shift the mid-block to the other side. 

• With this as a starting point on a variety of occasions, we saw Liverpool try to achieve central overloads, in order to open space for their wide players to attack.

• Another way to open up space for the full backs to create is overloading the flank. Creating the numerical overload by pinning the defenders and letting the spare man (Tsimikas) cross. This is exactly how Liverpool scored their first goal:

• Jota would occasionally replicate Firmino’s role as the false 9, and would drop between the lines to receive the progressive pass:

• In this instance, Trent Alexander-Arnold pushes into the final third, and overloads the half-space, pinning Burnley’s LW, while Elliott pins the LB. This leaves Salah completely free, who scores the goal but is marginally offside:

• Smart off-the-ball movement by Liverpool’s forwards created plenty of opportunities for line-breaking passes, leading to advantageous 1v1s and 2v1s. Here, Elliott positioned himself behind Burnley’s midfield line to receive from Henderson. TAA has pushed forwards towards the touchline, and has created the 2v1 along with Salah against Burnley’s LB:

• In the instance below, smart off-ball movement is combined with player-pinning, in order to create a shooting opportunity for Mané:

• Another big weapon for Liverpool’s build up comes from another defender, in Virgil van Dijk and his elite passing range. Here he finds Salah, in behind isolated 1v1 with Burnley’s LB. Qualitative overload this time:

• Liverpool’s second goal to kill of the game originated from a van Dijk long ball:

CONCLUSION

Liverpool look in great condition in terms of breaking down a compact defensive mid/low block, with Harvey Elliott’s introduction the team giving Klopp fresh new options to explore in terms of chance-creation. It will be very interesting to see how they fare against Tuchel’s Chelsea on the weekend, the Premier League’s second best defensive team last season.

Written by @NSftbl (Twitter)