Liverpool have their work cut out this season if they are to topple Manchester City and claim their first league title since 1990. In order to get the points likely required to finish 1st they’ll need to be brave.
But what exactly does being brave entail for Liverpool? For many, this conjures up the notion that they will commit to attacking by throwing extra forward players onto the pitch. However, this may be too simplistic a solution.
The likes of Jurgen Klopp and other top class managers are experienced in much finer differences than that. Just a couple of tweaks here and there, or slight changes to individual players responsibilities, can make a huge difference.
One such difference maker for the Reds this season is the style of play likely to come from the goalkeeper position. Namely, the new signing of Alisson Becker.
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Most people have heard of the term sweeper-keeper these days and the Liverpool stopper falls very much into this category. In fact, the term probably doesn’t do justice to just how good he is on the ball.
In his pre-season appearances, we’ve seen a player with the ability to see passes and deliver the ball. He’s not somebody that merely plays a higher line and mops up long balls with clearances. He’ll actually back himself to control the ball and find a man.
What Klopp can do with Alisson is in fact bait teams into pressing higher up the pitch, and as a result, leave space in behind that the forwards crave.
There was evidence against Napoli and Torino that the Brazilian keeper is adept at clipping balls out to full backs in order to retain possession. Equally, he’s shown he can spot a long ball over the top to release Mohamed Salah.
Once teams start to scout Liverpool this season and realize Alisson’s style of play, they are then faced with a simple dilemma:
Do they look to anticipate the balls out to the fullbacks, commit to closing down the space, and ultimately risk being caught in behind? Or, do they second guess the trap, drop deeper, and allow Liverpool to have the ball and build possession?
In reality neither is a great option.
The flip side of the argument is that it is a risky game to play that close to your own goal and with next to no protection should the pass go wrong. However, don’t for a moment think that will prevent the Reds from using this weapon throughout the season.
Sure, it will go wrong at some point. It’s bound to. More important is the amount of times it works in Alisson’s favor throughout the game, and even how much it disrupts the opposition’s plans.
Liverpool need to turn draws into wins this season, this much is simple. There comes a point where you can no longer throw bodies at the problem and instead need improved ways to get space and opportunities for the existing forward players.
In Alisson, the Reds have more than a great keeper. They have an extra outfield player during the game.