A lot of our problems were tactical
The main difference btw us and Liverpool was how organized their press was compared to ours.
Our press is very soft these days. And that's an issue that starts with our forwards and planning.
Aguero is a poor presser of the ball and Sterling, Bernado and KDB were running too many energy wasting Solo press attempts.
As the initial player starts a hard press on the ball holder ( something Aguero almost never does with the required gusto) the other 2 forwards must equally attack the other passing options with similar intensity. The goal is to force the ball back to the goalie for a punt. We repeatedly failed at this.
Our possession was good, contrary to popular opinion, Rodri and Gundogan created a good base of ball control, but our interplay in the final third was pedestrian. And the Refereeing errors didn't help.
While most will focus on Gundogan (and he had his faults) my main problem was starting Aguero. We are just not that good of a pressure team when Aguero leads the line.
From s tactical point of view, we should bhave had 3 Centerbacks and 2 Wingbacks. Walker playing as one of those CBs to take advantage of his speed (albeit, his lack of positional awareness might be detrimental. But in a 3 with instructions to close on Mane or Salah ( whichever one is o his side) I think he'd have done better.
Dihno's positioning was equally suspect all night. I know that isn't a popular point to make, but part of the reason this happens is because of how Pool plays. With Firnino often dropping out of the point of attack with Mane or Salah cutting inside.
You need Centerbacks with primary responsibility in both. Should have been Dihno on one and Walker on the other with John playing support and cleanup.
The 3 CMs was probably correct (in spite of the majority pretense to the contrary) Rodri and Gundogan controlled possession well, and Kevin drove us forward often. But it could have been Bernado or Foden as the 3rd midfielder in the middle (to suit the masses). So long as they kept possession and pressed correctly.
Forwards should bhave been Sterling and Jesus to start the press on the CBs with Kev pressing the DM.
Wingbacks should have been Angelino and Cancelo.
We would have had a better chance with such Personnel and tactics
The main difference btw us and Liverpool was how organized their press was compared to ours.
Our press is very soft these days. And that's an issue that starts with our forwards and planning.
Aguero is a poor presser of the ball and Sterling, Bernado and KDB were running too many energy wasting Solo press attempts.
As the initial player starts a hard press on the ball holder ( something Aguero almost never does with the required gusto) the other 2 forwards must equally attack the other passing options with similar intensity. The goal is to force the ball back to the goalie for a punt. We repeatedly failed at this.
Our possession was good, contrary to popular opinion, Rodri and Gundogan created a good base of ball control, but our interplay in the final third was pedestrian. And the Refereeing errors didn't help.
While most will focus on Gundogan (and he had his faults) my main problem was starting Aguero. We are just not that good of a pressure team when Aguero leads the line.
From s tactical point of view, we should bhave had 3 Centerbacks and 2 Wingbacks. Walker playing as one of those CBs to take advantage of his speed (albeit, his lack of positional awareness might be detrimental. But in a 3 with instructions to close on Mane or Salah ( whichever one is o his side) I think he'd have done better.
Dihno's positioning was equally suspect all night. I know that isn't a popular point to make, but part of the reason this happens is because of how Pool plays. With Firnino often dropping out of the point of attack with Mane or Salah cutting inside.
You need Centerbacks with primary responsibility in both. Should have been Dihno on one and Walker on the other with John playing support and cleanup.
The 3 CMs was probably correct (in spite of the majority pretense to the contrary) Rodri and Gundogan controlled possession well, and Kevin drove us forward often. But it could have been Bernado or Foden as the 3rd midfielder in the middle (to suit the masses). So long as they kept possession and pressed correctly.
Forwards should bhave been Sterling and Jesus to start the press on the CBs with Kev pressing the DM.
Wingbacks should have been Angelino and Cancelo.
We would have had a better chance with such Personnel and tactics