Like many Liverpool observers, one of the most perplexing elements to Liverpool’s start under Roy Hodgson is not the defensive frailties, but the seeming lack of pressing that characterises the Reds’ recent displays. Under Rafa Benitez, no matter what opposition we were playing, either home or away, the team was guaranteed to be in the faces of the opposition, and ensure they had the least amount of time on the ball as possible.
Although pressing the opposition is a characteristic of most Premier League teams, Benitez was probably the most enthusiastic in using the method either in domestic or European matches. He would command his side to ensure that big teams, such as Manchester United or Real Madrid, were not given any time on the ball, especially for the first twenty minutes of any match, and it was very effective in not allowing the opposition to get into any rhythm. I especially remember during Rafa’s most successful season in the league during the 2008/09 campaign when playing in the home tie against Real Madrid in the Champions League, the Spanish side didn’t know what hit them as we proceeded to thrash them 4-0.
This attitude was carried into many big Premier League matches too, and even during last season’s troubles, we put in a convincing display against Manchester United at home, where Lucas and Mascherano pressed and harried Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes, and effectively marked them out of the game. Although I wasn’t a fan of every tactic that Rafa Benitez employed, the philosophy of pressing high up the field is a very sensible one, ensuring that the defence had some solidity. High pressing is very well suited to the English game too and is something which is not as commonly used on the continent.
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STELLA ARTOIS WORLD DRAUGHT MASTERS
just fire Hodgson and be done with it
Spot on. Roy’s tactics are allowing the opposition take the initiative from the opening whistle , and wait for them to come to our 18 yard box. We then hoof the ball to Fernando , who is waiting all alone , looking for a lucky break. If this going to be our style of football for this season , we’ll be lucky to reach 20 points this season.
Look, Roy’s a really nice guy, and a good manager. It’s not that he’s not good enough to manage at this level, just not suited to managing our team. However the end results the same, NESV need to get rid. Rijkard or Hiddink please boys, the former’s about to become a free agent.
This guys a real…well his quote for the Europa cup game”
“I’ll leave some players out that’s for sure. Some of the more important senior players won’t travel because their participation on Sunday is going to be so important to us.
Well Woy, I think your players need as much playing time as they can get…Torres needs to be playing to get a couple of goals for his confidence…merelis, gerard, cole etc need to form an understanding. Sigh!!! the sooner you go the better
Essential ingredient? yes, its called a game plan!!! You know, tactics, instructions etc.
Plus, instill some belief in the players.
Dear Lord, the guy is not up to the job. Can you Not see it? the media forced him to our club. The sun, the mirror etc etc., because he is a gentleman.
I want a nasty son of a b### who wants results and success. Not in impotent old man
Bring back tht zonal marking technique. Bring agger bck.
roy is using the same tactics as benitez ..playing only with one striker and then try to blame it on torres as he is not scoring goals .how can a lone striker with three defenders marking him closely score??? and also trying to play carrager even if he aint good enough to play 15 mins
NICK
YOU ARE WRONG RAFA’S AND ROY’S TACTICS ARE A WORLD APART.
I SUGGEST YOU DO SOME RESEARCH.
We need a high profile ‘A-List’ manager, let’s face it Roy’s a C+ at best.We need someone who can bring in top talent.Somebody who will realise that in terms of striking options we still have pretty much all the players we had when finishing second.So playing with 2 (bad) defensive midfielders is retarded.If you can’t keep a clean sheet because your defence is awful Attack Attack Attack.At least that way you give suffering fans something to watch and you intimidate teams into setting up defensively.(yes Woy I was pointing at you.)Draws aren’t good enough now Woy get the lads scoring.F**K defence.Buy TOP CLASS proven goal scorers, 2 of them, give Pacheco a good run of games and get Aqua back ASAP before you get sacked there’s a good chap.
Sack WOY.. And forget Rijkaard as well he isn’t that good. Give PELLEGRINI the job siMples!!!
Good article, actually good observation too!!! get poulsen shipped out and set back the good English style!!! WOY it’s a do or die if u ain’t changing then u should get shipped out too actually really quickly!!! Creativity in midfield also is a problem Aqua was getting use to it he actually started really well and woy send him away i think he should be brought back on mersey he’d be quality better than the other lads trying to do the job!!! Guys like pacheco and babbel should be given more time to play they got skills and are young instead of spending money on people who would take time to adapt use what we have right here!!! Quality addition would be most welcome though, for the likes of Fernando Lorente…
Roys obviously is not a smart enough manager to employ new tactics or may i say some of Rafas.
If i were to be managing a club where the team was built by the former manager i would consider employing many of his ideas.
These players were recruited to play a certain way and Roy just does not get it.
author,u think roy is capable of doing what u are saying.its too much for him.wher the hell did my team get such a loser?just fire him now
AKASH
YOU ARE A COMPLETE IDIOT WHO KNOW NOTHING ABOUT FOOTBALL.