The Best Attack in Europe
In terms of the most effective attacking football, there is a clear vision in the minds of most football fans. The vision usually includes three or four players running at defenders before finding the space created by dragging defenders out of position. The goal scored is usually an easy finish by an attacker who is in plenty of space and has time to pick a spot and drive the ball into the corner of the goal. For many football fans, this is the epitome of perfect attacking football, the team working in cohesion to achieve good chances. For Liverpool fans, this is the reality.
The ‘Lethal Three’ was expected to fail without Philippe Coutinho, they were expected to have lost the cutting edge Liverpool had in games against the best teams in England and Europe. However, the trio of Salah, Mane and Firmino doubled down and raised their play to another level. Most Liverpool offensive possessions start with Firmino winning the ball back before driving forward to find either Salah or Mane. It is amazing to see the level of chemistry between these three players especially when it is considered that they have had to weather the loss of a cornerstone of Jurgen Klopp’s offensive scheme.
When the basis of Liverpool attack is considered, it is both orthodox and unusual. Klopp sets up with two fullbacks who defend ruggedly and can create plays from the wing. Andy Robertson is particularly good at whipping in balls that cause defences all sorts of problems as many teams nowadays are not used to a fullback whipping a zinger of ball. That being said, it is incredibly effective in creating chances from six-yards out that Salah, Mane or Firmino will usually bury. However, this is where Liverpool’s traditional offensive ideas end.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was derided in the summer for being a waste of £35 million pounds. He was seen to be the prototypical Arsenal player, he showed a lot of promise but was ultimately consistently inconsistent in his effort week in week out. Jurgen Klopp made a very astute decision when Coutinho left, he moved Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain into an attacking centre mid position that many fans and pundits thought he could not play as his passing range and vision on the ball is not the best. However, the ‘Ox’ has changed the way that Liverpool play, he forever chases the ball down before driving into space and puts defenders on their heels. His attacking instincts and willingness to run means that defenders have another offensive aspect to try and contain which inevitably creates space for one of Liverpool’s front three.
The most unusual and effective of Liverpool’s offensive approach is the fact they approach the game with a CAM and two wingers playing up top. The false-nine was a technique used by Barcelona that took advantage of Messi’s whole skillset, it allowed Lionel to drift inside and create for others while also burying the chances he received. However, it is possible to say that Jurgen Klopp has changed the false-nine position forever through Roberto Firmino. Firmino shows a willingness to go and get the ball back before creating chances for his fellow Liverpool players through his energy. Firmino hounds every single ball and forces the defence to make mistakes that Liverpool can capitalise on. Moreover, Roberto is a highly intelligent player and is incredibly selfless, he does not seem to seek personal glory but will always make a good pass that benefits the team.
Sadio Mane and Mo Salah are the perfect complements to this energetic style of football, they are clinical finishers in front of goal. Nobody expected that these two players will have scored forty five goals between the two of them when Mane’s stint at Southampton and Salah’s time at Roma are considered. It was inconceivable that a winger could drift from the outside and play more centrally and link up the rest of the offence well. Mane in particular is very good at holding possession of the ball so that the rest of the team can join the offense.
The key reason for Liverpool’s success offensively is Mohammed Salah. Salah came from Roma with a hefty price tag and fans wondering why we had signed a supposed Chelsea reject. However Mo has gone out of his way to prove us wrong, he has developed a physique that can deal with tall and powerful defenders and a devastating eye for goal. When Salah is in a goal-scoring position, it is very rare that he misses chances. His goal scoring record for this season is ridiculous, he has scored twenty four goals in twenty eight games in the Premier League. This is a rate of 0.85 goals per game which is almost as prolific as Spurs’ striker Harry Kane. However, there is a key difference between Salah and Kane, Kane plays in a team where he is the only scoring option whereas Salah has Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane who have both scored a significant amount of goals this season.
In terms of entertainment and effectiveness, Liverpool are the best side in Europe, there is nobody else who comes close. Manchester City have an offense that is hugely effective and can devastate an opponent through their slick passing but one criticism of their style is that it is boring. Man City pass the other team into the ground instead of grabbing the game by the scruff of its neck from the opening whistle.
It raises two interesting questions, how far can Liverpool go in the Champions League this season and how far can this team develop in the future? For the first question, I would argue that Liverpool are a dark horse candidate to win it all, they have a team who can score three or four goals in a game and just take an opponent out of the game. Despite the criticism of Liverpool defensively, the team has improved hugely with the arrival of Virgil Van Dijk. Van Dijk has provided a commanding presence who organises the defence and provides a reassuring presence for more shaky defenders such as Dejan Lovren or Joel Matip.
The second question is much more difficult to answer as football is incredibly uncertain. If Liverpool keep their current squad, it is entirely possible for the team to win the league as Naby Keita will fill the central midfielder hole that the team has had for years. However, it is unusual for the team to stay completely the same, Liverpool over the last few years have sold their best players while they have been at their peak. Although Suarez and Coutinho were sold for big money, it is very difficult to wisely re-invest this money into players who can fill the void. Given the past precedent, it seems likely that Liverpool will lose a player like Mo Salah as the allure of Real Madrid or Barcelona is just too strong to ignore. The loss of a key player will likely set Klopp’s project back at least a season but it all depends on Jurgen Klopp building a sustainable model that can survive these losses.
