Wolves 0-3 Liverpool: midfield runs not tracked
The starting line-ups
Kenny Dalglish picked up his first win in his second spell as Liverpool manager.
Mick McCarthy made one change from the side that lost 4-3 to Manchester City last weekend – Karl Henry replaced David Jones in the centre of midfield.
Kenny Dalglish also switched one midfielder – out went Jay Spearing, in came Christian Poulsen.
Liverpool were by far the better side here. In a fairly scrappy game contested on an awful pitch, Liverpool played well and were a constant threat through direct attacks. Wolves’ poor defending was also a major factor in the result.
Midfield runs
The key to the game was Liverpool’s central midfield advantage, 3 v 2 in the middle. This is a common factor in many matches when a 4-4-2 plays a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1, but usually we focus on the side with the advantage passing their way around the other side in the middle of the pitch.
That wasn’t so much the case here – often because Poulsen gave the ball away cheaply – but the dominance in the centre was a factor because Liverpool’s central midfield trio – Poulsen, Lucas and Raul Meireles – consistently made darts forward from the midfield zone that weren’t tracked properly.
Meireles was stationed between the lines and therefore generally found himself in space – it was often he who found himself unchecked as he moved forward to join Fernando Torres, but Lucas and Poulsen also got forward into space early on. Karl Henry and Nenad Milijas were too static and stuck to one particular man when often a deeper Liverpool midfielder would run straight past them.
Torres movement
The plan was for one of the centre-backs to come out of the back and close down Meireles, but the situation was complicated by Torres’ good movement. Rather than staying high up the pitch against the offside line, Torres dropped deeper to collect the ball, drawing one of the centre-backs (generally Richard Stearman) up the pitch and out of position. This meant that the other centre-back who was supposed to be keeping an eye on Meireles would either come up towards the pitch to his man (meaning Wolves playing a very high line) or stay in position at the back (meaning Meireles went free). It was a combination of the two factors that resulted in the first goal, as Meireles sprinted through and squared for Torres to tap in. Wolves’ offside line was all over the place.
The second goal also came after Meireles was free between the lines – though in fairness it was simply a fantastic volley – and the third goal in stoppage time was remarkably similar to the first: a ball over the top played to a midfield runner (this time, Dirk Kuyt) being played onside by a Wolves full-back, and another square ball to Torres. 3-0, and Wolves’ Monday morning training session will be spent working on the defence moving up the pitch as a unit.
Liverpool midfield passing
Lucas had a good game in midfield, keeping his passes simple and maintaining possession. Lucas is one of those players who frequently gets criticised for playing sideways passes, but compare his passing to Poulsen’s, and it becomes clear that simple sideways balls are preferable to forward passes which concede possession cheaply. Lucas’ pass completion rate was 79%, Poulsen’s was 54%.
Wolves lack creativity
Wolves’ attacking approach was simple. First, Wayne Hennessy hit long balls forward to the forwards, with the wide players looking to get to the second balls in and around the penalty area. Second, they got the ball to the flanks quickly in open play, with Karl Henry switching the play from flank to flank. From there, Matt Jarvis and Stephen Hunt had to beat players and play balls into the box, but Jarvis’ crossing was very poor, especially in the first half, whilst Hunt gave the ball away almost every time he got into the final third.
Conclusion
Liverpool didn’t play fantastic football – but they didn’t have to. Simple passes combined with good movement from Torres and forward runs from midfielders caught out Wolves’ defence, and Liverpool were comfortable after their second goal, despite a couple of nervous defensive moments.
Meireles had a good game for the second week running, which may raise a slight question about how to use Steven Gerrard when the captain returns from suspension. It shouldn’t be too much of an issue, though – Meireles is not really a player who plays ‘in the hole’, he doesn’t offer a great amount of creativity, and is at his best when played alongside a sitting midfielder (Lucas) and a more naturally attacking player (Gerrard), in a box-to-box role.
Wolves 0-3 Liverpool: midfield runs not tracked
liverpool need 3-4 players. suarez is ideal because he is a mobile forward who can play up front or on the wing coming in which is ideal for the fluid 4-3-3 kenny wants to play. they also need a winger who can beat a man down the line for a bit of variation from suarez prehaps nzzogbia. then a left back and a centre back. that will greatly improve liverpool
you’d buy suarez and stick him on the wing? Thats what Liverpool did to Kuyt and successfully transformed him from a 20 goal season striker to a mere hard working winger without much impact. Infact Kuyt was a lot more prolific for Feyenoord than Suarez currently is for Ajax. If liverpool were to play Suarez upfront however that is a different story…
‘prolific’ in erediviese is much different than epl. no offense just sayin
Not in Suarez’s case, as suarez proved he can score goals at the highest level in the world cup in a rigid Uruguay Attack…Kuyt hasnt been played upfront regularly enough for Liverpool or Holland to say he can or can’t, but he was more prolific than Suarez is now, so that suggests he is more than capable
But if Suárez would play on the left wing, rather than the right, then he could still be a goalscorer. Put Dzsudzsák on the opposite side, as he’s a left-footer, and watch the Reds of the new millenium!
Kuyt played 2 seasons upfront for us, he’s just doesn’t offer enough compared to others as a pure striker. As for Suarez, I think he’s overrated, but we’ll just have to see.
“proved he can score goals at the highest level”
Oh yeah, he scored against Mexico and Korea. Highest level!
yeah but Suarez has scored a lot of those goals for Ajax from a wide position. this year the central striker has been El Hamdaoui, last year it was Pantelic, and in 08-09 a combination of Huntelaar and Cvitanich. just look at how many goals Ronaldo has scored for Madrid this season (playing most of it as a left winger – he’s actually been moved up front due to Higuain’s injury, and has stopped scoring goals). or what about Villa at Barcelona, also playing on the left? or Nasri?
Goalscoring Wingers do exist yes, but it is obvious Suarez isn’t a winger, nor will he score the amount of goals as opposed to if he was playing striker. Yes Suarez has played right wing this season, however hes played a good majority of games in a 4 4 2 diamond, up top with El Hamdaoui and Siem De Jong in the hole. Wingers that score goals are ones that are very good dribblers and can beat players to make space for themselves. Suarez is not that player, he is a typical predator and would be a waste so far away from goal….as proved with Kuyt at Liverpool, Anelka at chelsea (when on the right wing) Rooney on occcasions for United and even Shevchenko at periods for Chelsea. For example when Anelka played up top for Chelsea due to Drogba’s african nations absence, he won golden boot…yet when he is played on the right wing he does a job but his impact on games is much less as he is a natural striker playing out of position.
Eto last year being another example
But what kind of striker?
Pure wingers and support-strikers are simply different kinds of forwards.
Suarez is ideally suited to either a supporting role (playing ‘off’ as opposed to ‘behind’ the reference in attack) or a wide one
Sorry, but you don’t think that Suarez is a good dribbler? I’m amazed.
And you think he’s a predator? The last thing I would describe him as is a fox-in-the-box
1. Ronaldo is a far better player than suarez (even though I dont think ur saying there of a similar calibre). The fact Ronaldo is scoring goals there does not mean suarez would also playing for Madrid helps.
2. To say Ronaldo isn’t scoring while playing in the centre isn’t entirely true because he’s started 2 games there scored against atletico didn’t against Almeria (However Madrid do play far worse when he play’s there)and Benzema started all but two games while Higuain was injured and there has only being one game where Ronaldo played through the center for the whole game and he scored in that game.
3. The 3 players you named who are scoring from the left are all more naturally gifted on the ball and none are similar in style to him and all play for teams who are better passers than Liverpool.
4. Although there is every possibility that if liverpool were to sign him that he could be able to get goals from there it’s just i feel your point’s to prove this are wrong.
Playing on the wing in a 4-3-3 IS playing “up front”, and it’s a position in which Suárez has excelled at Ajax.
Kuyt starts from a deeper position along the flank and is naturally a harder-working player anyway… in this sense he is more of a wide midfielder, whereas Suarez is an outside-forward (who can also play as an auxiliary striker)
Where do you get that Dirk was far more prolific for Feyenoord than Suarez is for Ajax from?:
Kuyt: 83 goals in 122 games (0.68 goals per game)
Suarez: 110 goals in 154 games (0.71 goals per game)
Also worth pointing out that Kuyt was older when he was playing for Feyenoord, aged between 23 and 26. Suarez has done his thing at Ajax from a younger age, between 20 to 23.
And also worth pointing out that they are clearly different players with different styles and strengths. Suarez is more technically gifted and better in possession, while he’s quicker too. I think he’d work fine on the left as long as he isn’t tied down and left in deeper, ineffective areas of the pitch.
i said kuyt was more prolific than Suarez is CURRENTLY…Suarez has averaged a goal every 167 mins this season whereas Kuyt in the 04/05 season averaged a goal every 102 minutes.
Its not about who’s better, my point was that If Liverpool were to buy Suarez they wouldn’t get the best out of him from a wide area as opposed to straight down the middle.
But where would Torres play then if Suarez were to be positioned in the middle of the attack?
Even if stationed wide and – this is crucial- high up the pitch, Suarez would still have ample freedom to cut onto his stronger foot and bear down on goal.
Even when Messi was playing his outside-right role, you could hardly say he was isolated from central areas – since he would inevitably end up attacking through more central channels
poulsen needs to go
Rarely has the opinion of a player been as unanimously negative as it is of Poulson. He must be diabolical.
Alex Song during his first and second seasons with Arsenal was pretty hated. subbed off at halftime in one game due to his horrible performance, called “Wenger’s worst signing” (ahead of Stepanovs, Luzhny, Jeffers, Richard Wright, etc. – quite impressive).
I know Poulsen’s a lot older than Song, so he doesn’t have that excuse, but it is still his first season in England, playing for a team that have been underachieving as a whole.
Poulsen was pretty terrible for Juventus, too, though. It’s not as if he’s an underachieving star.
Thats a fair point but even so having youth on your side is a massive advantage as it gives the player a lot of time to improve, by the sound of it Poulson has been poor for quite a while now and shows no signs of getting better.
This is an unnecessarily harsh attack on Poulsen for today. He was very positive. When he and Lucas played together previously, they were both anchoring and it was too rigid. Today they had varying roles. Lucas is naturally quite cautious and Poulsen looks for riskier passes. That’s not to say he always makes the right choice but he did let in Meireles for Liverpool’s first.
Torres’ change to his old hairstyle has totally transformed him. All he needs now is to go blond and then we will see the Torres of old.
I have been saying this for ages. He needs his golden locks back.
He could shave bald and I wouldn’t mind
What a good looking man
But if Suárez would play on the left wing, rather than the right, then he could still be a goalscorer. Put Dzsudzsák on the opposite side, as he’s a left-footer, and watch the Reds of the new millenium!
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Doubt he would score as many goals as:
1. It’s not his natural position
2. He will be much further away from goal, and so will have less opportunities to score
3. He will have to do a lot more leg work on the wing, and so will have less impact going forward
For your information, Suárez mainly played as a right winger under Jol. He is not an out and out striker and has played in every forward position during his time at Ajax.
He won´t have to do as much legwork if he is playing as a Dutch-style ‘pure’ winger (i.e. outside-forward) since his starting position would be high up the pitch and most of his defensive work would consist of pressing.
Kuyt’s role as a wide midfielder entails more legwork since he has more ground to track back
And Suarez was never a centre-forward in Uruguay, he was either a second-striker or an outside-forward (which in Uruguayan football are often considered two variations on a similar role).
“proved he can score goals at the highest level”
Oh yeah, he scored against Mexico and Korea. Highest level!
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so more goals than Eto’o, Ronaldo, Rooney, Messi then? Plus the Uruguayan team was very rigid going forward
The world cup isn’t the highest level any more… Hasn’t been for a long time.
Suarez deal haven’t even been confirmed yet. We can well see Negredo instead of Uruguayan.
Question for ZM:
the Liverpool formation gives a clear advantage given the numerical advantage in midfield when playing against a 442. This often makes the difference, but surely playing a 442 must have some advantages on its own too? In other words: where is the advantage when you play a 442 against a 4321, 433 or any other formation with 3 players in the centre of midfield?
you got two strikers as oppose to one…
and also wingers are sometimes too deep to be track by fullback
If your 442 wingers can put pressure on the fullbacks, you should have 1 on 1 situations in the middle with your strikers and wingers against a back four. Of course, when you play the well-organized 4231s of the world, there’s usually a defensive midfielder dropping in to help out and give the defense a one man advantage.
Also, 442 should have an extra man at the back against these sorts of 451/4321 lineups (although not against 4231). If they were willing to go man defense and have a +1 sweeper or stopper, they might take advantage that way. Almost no one wants to play man in open play anymore, so that advantage is totally lost, and as ZM points out often, you just end up with a spare defender who serves no purpose.
No, if you’re watching matches in which one of the teams play with one striker, it’s obvious what the other central defender’s job is: sweeping up if one of the opposing attackers beat their man, or pick up midfield runners. Even if man-marking doesn’t really exist anymore, a spare defender stabilizes the defence as opposed to go one-on-one everywhere on the pitch.
Poulsens poor passing is no suprise for Danish fans. Morten Olsen, the Danish national team coach, wants him to play a Busquetsish role. He is playing the deep playmaker and he is really not suited to that role. I guess it’s Olsens fantasies of beautiful football, that make him play like that. Poulsen was great in Schalke and Sevilla, where he didn’t have a lot of passing responsibility. He can be a fantastic marker and has totally destroyed Francesco Totti a few times. Even when he was in his prime.
Poulsens mistake in that role can be seen in Denmark – Cameroun at the world cup, where he gives away possesion cheaply and the second goal in the game against Portugal.
Cameroun – Denmark. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqg0lZ3Ij_Y&feature=related
Portugal – Denmark. 0.55 in. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VG2KTDD7u4
Poulsen is rubbish, Zonalmarking is often far to kind to him.
Far too kind? You must be joking, I can’t think of a player I rate less. I’ve even directly compared his passing unfavourably in this very piece…what a strange comment!
Maybe that’s the type of comment he/she was looking for. It’s all very well to say someone who is bad is bad but when they are as bad as Poulsen you need to make bolder statements.
I love it, can’t think of a player I rate less! We should have a poll on poor players that don’t get exposed enough for lack of talent… Not to be confused with good players who aren’t as good/bad as people think… But REALLY bad players!
59% possession for Wolves surprisingly. apart from Poulsen, the whole Liv back 4 had pretty poor passing %’s. kelly 57%, agger 53% . Zubar in contrast had 92%. kuyt on 59% also. still quite surprised glen johnson is not being used as right midfielder.