Liverpool v. Arsenal: a total contrast

I watched the Liverpool-Tottenham match after the Arsenal-Palace match and I was struck by one thing and one thing only: Liverpool really want to win.

Organization on the pitch was good, pressing was good, and their ability to play in tight spaces and get into the attacking phase quickly was excellent. They are an excellently coached team. I already knew that. But they also play with a hunger and drive that is difficult to quantify. So, as much as I hate to do it, I just did. They looked hungry.

And Spurs are struggling this year but they aren’t a pushover team by any stretch. They are chippy and kicky when they are under pressure. They were a well drilled pressing team last year and while they are struggling with that this year (their defensive stats are all pretty poor) they did well in this game. As well I thought any team could do. Liverpool were just fantastic.

I guess I’ve had Liverpool envy since they hired Klopp. I can admit it now. They seem to be able to do all of the things both in the board room and on the pitch that Arsenal have struggled with these last few years. They move on players for huge sums, they buy players with little to no drama, and they have built up a great team with a sparkling attack and stellar defense.

Some components of Liverpool that Arsenal should emulate:

  • Pressing defense
  • Multiple playmakers
  • On-field defensive coordinator

One thing that’s a bit surprising is that Liverpool actually play quite a bit like Arsenal. Their fullbacks are crucial to building their attack and they play with a DM (and not particularly talented player) in the tip of their midfield 3 (not really in the 10, but just behind their 10, who is actually a 9).

There are some pretty major differences, however. Their number 9 plays more like a 10 and their two main scoring threats play in the wide areas. Plus they have two players who could score 20 goals a season on the wings with a guy in the middle who can drop deep to pick up the ball.

However, their midfield isn’t particularly amazing. I’m not trying to badmouth anyone but Henderson isn’t the kind of player who is going to get into Real Madrid or Barcelona. Yet, Klopp gets the best out of him by playing him high up the pitch, a lot like what Arsene tried (and failed) with Coquelin and what Arsenal do now with Torreira (sometimes). I can’t figure out why Hendo works so well for them so high up the pitch. If you have a theory, sell it in the comments.

Also, their fullbacks are incredibly good. Trent Alexander-Arnold leads the League in key passes, is 2nd in big chances created (22% of his key passes are big chances), and 2nd in expected assists. But they back that up with a lot of creative players at the same time. They have three players in the top 10 for expected assists. Arsenal’s top expected assists guy is Pepe, who clocks in at 47th in the League with an xA of 1.37.

The point I want to make here is that I think Klopp is just playing to TA-A’s strengths. I’m not sure he went out and said “let’s make our right back into a pass master.” Instead, he saw that the kid was wicked good at setting his teammates up and helped set the team up to maximize that talent.

That’s my preview. They are better than us at almost everything. Plus they are hungry to win. Doesn’t mean we won’t win today, anything’s possible. It seems rather unlikely since we are in the midst of a crisis and beating them will probably require a full blooded performance but hey, I’ll still watch.

It’s going to take a few years but the blueprint is there to turn Arsenal around if the Kroenkes are interested. If not, we get to take our rightful place in mid-table.

Qq

28 comments

  1. The question is not if Liverpool is better than Arsenal. The question is if Liverpool B is better then Arsenal B. Because this is what I expect tonight.
    So far we have seen some good performances from our B-side, so there’s hope.

  2. What I’m hearing you saying Tim is that while Liverpool and Arsenal are similarly set up from a tactical point of view, the execution and product on the pitch could not be more disparate.

    They have managed to build a winning product in my opinion because everyone is pulling in the same direction and they all strive to make each other better, not because their individuals are intrinsically superior to our individuals. They are hungry because they are full of confidence and belief in themselves and each other and they have bought in to a structure and a purpose greater than themselves. That type of culture is so difficult to build but it’s the common denominator the to all high functioning teams, athletic or otherwise. Internal incidents like the Xhaka debacle are signs of poor alignment and poor morale. It reminds me of something that would happen to the NY Jets, a laughingstock franchise that just can’t figure out how to believe in itself and stick to a plan for more than one season at a time. Successful teams by contrast know who they are and stay true to themselves in time of adversity but also admit when something has to change. Arsenal hardly knows what we are at this point but already want to change. It’s a tough spot to be in.

    1. You hit the nail on the head here, Doc. I think our troubles have less to do with personnel and formations, and everything to do with motivation and belief. I too have had Klopp-envy for years; even when Liverpool were struggling, he projected a rational positivism that you just knew was going to result in the Scouser power house we see today. And Emery is like the Anti-Klopp: hard to understand, awkward and aloof, insistent on imposing a style that doesn’t work, alienating players… We’ve seen what happens when the Manager loses the loyalty of the team – Moorinyo is expert at this, and even Wenger (forgive me, Lord) has this happen in his penultimate season. The difference is it took Emery less than one year to get to the same putrid place…

  3. Of course a lot of these names won’t feature today and they do not normally play all together but if you look at LFC’s strongest starting XI, it really is one of the best Premier League teams of the last decade or so:

    GK
    Alisson
    Back 4:
    Robertson Van Dijk Lovren Alexander Arnold
    Midfield:
    Henderson Fabinho Keita
    Forwards:
    Mane Ferminho Salah

    All that massive talent playing cohesive, attacking football, playing for each other, the fans and their manager Is it any wonder?

  4. My concern is how good are these kids? If really good we should ignore the Liverpool and instead copy the Spurs model. Create a good base of academy products and add world class players in areas where the academy lacks prospects. If these kids are really good l think we lost an opportunity to sell Auba when we could have got the most value out of the transfer. Believe me I used to condemn those who prefered Auba to be moved but I have now realized that we can’t afford him especially with what is happening at the club. If the club can’t fire Emery now and expect the decision at the end of the season means another season with him without getting anything meaningful out of the guy except bragging that we have a world class striker. A great talent whilst we play Europa league with him boy that taints his reputation.

    1. Much as I love Auba and Laca, I agree, they should be sold this summer before going into the final year of their contract. Martinelli, Nketiah, Saka, Reiss-Nelson, let the prospects take the reins – and I have faith that Edu who is tapped into the Brazilian pipeline through his association with the national set-up, will get us another one or two attacking gems for relatively good prices (like Emerson).

  5. If we lose today and then get one point from Wolves and Leicester (which I expect)… will that be it for Emery? I’d think so, because the opportunity cost of finishing 6th or 7th (saving 7m on Emery’s salary) vs. finishing 4th (40m for CL qualification) would warrant binning him. At this rate Leicester and Chelsea are better poised for top 4 than we are.

    So for me, today is a win-win proposition, regardless of outcome. Hooray.

    1. Yes, I think that will be it for Emery. It should be it for Emery. We would then use the international break to work through the transition. (I’d actually be surprised if we got any points from those two games.)

  6. This evening’s game aside there isn’t a huge differential between Arsenal and ‘Pool player-wise. Where they really excel is a solid back four and only because a year ago they spent Pepe type money on VVD. Where the key difference exists is that Klopp is a very rare breed of leader (and Emery by comparison is not even a poor facsimile). Klopp oozes charisma, is a smart communicator, sets and manages expectations prudently and if you worked for him he’d motivate you to run through walls. Plus he understands, really understands football and has created a style of play which is highly effective. I see great similarities with early-Mourinho when Chelsea first recruited him. Considering how long ago that was is perhaps an indicator of how rare real managerial gems come along. But no need to be downbeat. I never thought Klopp would join ‘Pool but I was wrong. And in four years he’s taken them from a lower starting point than Arsenal have yet achieved. So fingers crossed we have the next Klopp in our leadership’s sights.

    1. Leaders like that are a priceless commodity and there are only a few in any given generation.

  7. The owners appointed the manager.

    When Gillette and Hicks owned Liverpool they got lots of flack.

  8. I really like THIS Arsenal side. Nice to be looking forward to watching them play this afternoon.

  9. You guys fail to appreciate Emery’s genius. By not picking Torreira above the hapless Xhaka, he can cleverly pass him off as a B squad starter

    (taps temple)

  10. Well, that was fun game to watch. It is clear this Arsenal team no matter of the personnel can’t defend the lead. We are painfully vulnerable and look as if we concede in the next action.
    We have a very strong youth which trained properly can shine in red and white for years.

    Pitty changes required to move forward won’t be made till next year or when the season is over.

    Enjoyed Ozil today. Not sure why he was taken off.

  11. It would have been a fillip to win tonight after a committed performance notably from Ozil, Martinelli and others. But to throw away a two goal lead and then not be able to see out the final minute of extra time is SO EMERY.

  12. My regret with Wenger is, he didn’t recognise his own decline, moved up the board and hired Klopp as his successor, before he went to Pool!

  13. Unai Emery must be coaching the Astros.

    Bad, bad call to yank Greinke in the 7th. Could be the World Series right there.

    Top of the 8th, 3-2 Nats. Let’s see if it is.

  14. Interesting post Tim

    (Paraphrasing) I think Klopp was quoted as saying that pressing high up the pitch and winning the ball back in a dangerous area is much likely to lead to scoring a goal then having a great creative midfielder. They don’t have brilliant playmaking midfielders but they don’t need it because their players are better then ours at executing their strategy. I don’t think football tactics have to be complicated. They pressure the other team and try to win the ball back quickly and pass the ball to forwards as quickly as possible to one of the fullbacks who is flying down the wing or one of the 3 forwards. Even average PL defenses are very difficult to break down if you advance the ball slowly and give them are have a chance to organize. They can close off the pass lanes and track runners and control the space in the penalty box. Liverpool are able to break down defenses because they get the ball into the attacking 1/3 before the defense has a chance to get set up and organize. All 3 forwards are really good and create for each other and all 3 are a threat to score a goal

  15. That was a fun game of football, for the most part. A little bit of freedom plus Ozil made everyone buzz around.

    Maybe the sub was planned, but once again we fail to show any initiative after Emery gets his tactical mittens on our cake. Forget any cherry on top, the whole cake crumbles.

    I’m not angry. I just don’t see why he’s our coach. His attitude is all wrong, the players all play within themselves. He causes us to lose from winning positions, and he basically takes no responsibility.

    Still, I’d rather have this game than what we’ve seen in the league so far. It’s something…

  16. i’ve watched klopp since he took over at dortmund more than ten years ago. much of what i do with my u19s is what i’ve sub-consciously stolen from klopp.

    their press is effective because their back line compresses the field. likewise, their strikers defend. like arsenal, they don’t play with a #10 but two #8s and a #6 in fabinho, who is really good. their #9 is a proper center forward but sometimes operates as a false #9 by dropping into midfield. we all know how a false 9 works so i won’t go into that.

    the wide strikers channel everything to the middle of the field where liverpool have 3 center mids waiting to press the ball; almost nothing around the outside. likewise, their back line compresses the field by keeping a high line; it’s not to “catch” players offsides. many times, you can watch liverpool play and see all ten of their outfield players in the same shot; there’s only 18-24 yards from their center forward to their backline. their press is much more effective on such a small field as opposed to a big field.

    i griped the other day about how arsenal’s center backs are quick to drop off for no reason, making it harder for the center mids to press. this creates a gap between the midfield and the defense that attacking players exploit. it also makes the field bigger and three center mids can’t effectively press on such a big field. look at origi’s first goal where he turned rob holding. why are holding and mustafi dropping off? holding should be tighter to prevent the turn and the center mids can help. whenever a counter happens, the arsenal center backs automatically drop off. if they change that, it makes defending that much easier.

    those are my two differences between the two clubs. liverpool’s strikers channel and press while liverpool’s center backs don’t drop off, creating space behind the midfield. btw, liverpool’s fullbacks aren’t that good but they’re well coached.

  17. I feel like people are just saying Ozil had a great game, but there is no pointing to the reason(s) why he had a great game. And here is one in my opinion:

    I recall Jurgen Klopp once said, “No playmaker in the world can be as good as a good counter-pressing situation”. Ozil was at the forefront of our counter-pressing yesterday and he did it so beautifully well.
    Now, when you have one of the most creative/intelligent No 10 in the world playing a counter-pressing game this good like he did yesterday, you have an unbelievably brilliant and effective concoction. And that is what we witnessed yesterday. At some point, it seemed to me like he was even triggering the press.. I couldn’t believe my eyes! That time he ran back, tackled the Liverpool player in midfield, won the ball back, left him on his arse, progressed the ball, and found Martinelli’s run on the right… oh my. Gave me goosebumps!

    Watch every goal he was directly involved in yesterday, you would see that his counter-pressing also put in him in great positions to deliver those deadly passes. It also helps that the midfield set up to support his pressing (Maybe an upside of Xhaka’s absence).

    Arsenal plays most/every game like this with Ozil.. and I think we are totally unplayable against most opposition.

  18. Low expectations in a fourth tier competition and all that but this game might have been as harmful to the overall Arsenal player’s fragile psyche as any game before.

    At this point you almost have to feel sorry for a Mustafi , as sorry as you can feel for a healthy young multimillionaire of course.
    His attempt at the clearance that lead to the OG was so text book wrong it boggles the mind.

    Another standard pen given away for minimal contact if any , but that’s what can happen when you dangle a leg out.
    Surrendering two goal leads or late equalizers is so Arsenal these days too.

    I can’t decide if Arsenal are more unlucky ,or more poorly coached ,or both.
    Arsenal keeper faced six pens and went the wrong way five times out of six.
    Let that sink in for everyone who believes in laws of averages.
    Liverpool players didn’t do any tricky there , like the Hazard- style pen for example, but just picked their spot and struck it with pace.

    There are no meaningless losses when the team is struggling.
    The all pile on.

  19. Josh

    The points you make about how to execute a pressing defense are certainly not a new concept or something Klopp does that no one else knows about. To suggest that Emery who has been coaching for 20 years and has been reasonably successful does not understand the basic concepts of a pressing defense or playing the ball out from the back seems rather difficult to accept. I am certain that Emery’s plan when he came to Arsenal was to employ the sort of pressing defense you describe. However even the greatest tactical game plan falls apart if the players don’t execute properly and for some reason which I don’t think anyone including Emery understands he has never been able to get these players to execute properly in the PL games. Ultimately the manager is the captain of the ship and you can’t sack the whole team so he is the one who takes the blame but the manager is powerless if the players do dont execute a strategy

  20. Usmanov @ 1:15 AM

    “Arsenal plays most/every game like this with Ozil.. and I think we are totally unplayable against most opposition.“

    If you really believe what you said in the final paragraph of your comment then you have been watching the wrong team for the last 2 years. Ozil player close to 2000 minutes in our PL games last season and the reason he lost his spot was because we were no different with him in the line up then without.

    1. What I meant to say is “If/When Arsenal plays games like this with Ozil actively executing the counter-pressing strategy like he did yesterday” we would be totally unplayable. And I believe there is evidence to prove it.

  21. Deja vu:
    https://twitter.com/davidjaca/status/998640401555828738

    Rather than freezing out Özil, the man who should be in frozen amber now is Xhaka

    Gave away 2 goals and still had a chance to win, disappointing, to say the least. I don’t have the appetite to criticize Mustafi because an og can happen and Martinelli can do no wrong for me. In fact, I ‘d play this lineup minus Martinez and against Wolves.

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