TEAM HIMANNV
Formation: 4-3-3
Tactics:
The Liverpool blueprint
Built unashamedly around Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool that has taken the modern day EPL by storm. Klopp's tactics have brought the club back into the Champions League finals and they've even gone on to win it in addition to their first league title since the dark ages. The players are set up in a 4-3-3 shape and have all been selected based on their specific fits to the formation and system. Moreover, only players from the Premier League era who fit the profile have been chosen.
Basics:
- High Pressing with Mane, Firmino, and Walcott all involved
- Defending on High Lines with VVD and Carvalho both top tier CBs
3. Blistering Counter Attacks with quality passes and quality on the end of it.
While that sounds like normal press, Klopp's gegenpress combines classic features of high-pressure defense with a modern twist. In his system, pressing is basically a means to attack the opposition. We have the players who have experience with defensive workrate but also quality on the ball and pace to get on the end of the passes and score.
The players
Attack:
- Mane: Pace, power, goals, assists, pressing, tackling, defensive workrate, good with both feet - what can you say, he's a very complete player and playing in his preferred position to cut in to the spaces created by Firmino and score with his right.
- Firmino: Plays as a false nine and drops back into the hole to allow the other two to run into the space created. His deft little touches will play the others in but he can also score himself and his goals are always special because he's the kind of player whose job is normally to make the others look better and he always sticks to his job. He's also a key player in the pressing game and he has the pace and quality to get on the end of passes and score.
- Walcott: Pace like fire to get on the end of passes and score. At his peak, he's lightening quick, can score goals, and he's actually quite good on the ball as well. He often plays on the right and cuts in centrally. At his peak, his defensive work was also excellent and his contribution to the team was at an elite level.
Midfield:
- Gerrard: He's great on the counter and he'll run into spaces and score or make that key pass when we're on the counter. When we don't have the ball, he will support the press with his workrate and defensive qualities.
- Jorginho: He'll drop deep between the CBs and help with creating from deep. He's an exemplary passer of the ball and can make that key pass that sets off an attack. His positioning is also excellent. I think his work in the Italian team alongside Locatelli and Barella puts him in good stead for this sort of setup and he's actually the most defensive of the three because both the other two often make attacking runs forward.
- Gundogan: He's the player who I think has been key to how City operate after their tactical switch in December/January a year back. Not only does he offer control and off the ball workrate, but he's doing some impressive work when stepping closer to the box and impacting the game by either creating chances or scoring himself.
Defence:
- Baines: He's good defensively and offensively, he held the record for most assists by an LB in the premier league at one point. He's great at link up play, crossing, and stamina and started off his career in midfield and attack.
- VVD: Playing the exact role that he's famous for. He's key to Liverpool's high line and he's great in the air, controls the game from the back, and gets the ball out to the flanks efficiently. Key player for both the defensive setup and offensive setup.
- Carvalho: He's a top CB who is great at reading the game and is also great on the ball. His tackles are brilliantly timed and he's quick enough for the high line to work.
- Walker: Very quick defender who is good enough defensively to play as a CB and also a key contributor to the attack at the same time.
- Courtois: He's a balanced keeper who is good at stopping due to his height plus he's good on the ball as well. He's consistent and also a complete keeper due to his wide array of skills.
THE CITY BLUEPRINT
The team is built unashamedly around Pep Guardiola's City side that has dominated the Premier League over recent years (a whopping 198 points in 2 seasons, on track for their 4th title in 5 years). The players are set up in a 4-3-3 shape and have all been selected based on their specific fits to the shape and system. Moreover, only players from the Premier League era who fit the profile have been chosen:
- passing and ball retention - fundamental for any team wishing to dominate the ball
- technique - ability to handle pressure and take the ball in tight areas and progress forwards
- ability to play in a high line and high press - the pace and proactivity to defend high and dominate territory, with physical and energetic midfielders and attackers to win the ball back early.
CANTONA AS A FALSE 9
I cannot help but feel Cantona would love to play as the centre-piece in a Pep-styled attack. He can use his physical presence to hold the ball in, his exceptional technique to drop off the defence and into the hole, and then his vision and craft to thread in runners. With Suarez and Salah surging though, Cantona has top quality outlets. Behind him the elite ball-retainers in Bernardo Silva, Rodri, Modric and Trent ensure he will receive the ball frequently and the limelight he craves.
