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Tactics Tuesday: The Reds Continue To Find A Way To Win
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On today's episode of the Daily Liverpool Podcast, we're breaking down the Reds' last-gasp 1-0 win against Burnley. Host Adarsh Ramchurn and guest Michael Lake dissect how Liverpool struggled to break down a resilient Burnley side and analyse the key performances of Wirtz, Gravenberch, Salah, and Robertson.
They also discuss the team's incredible ability to find a late winner and what that says about their mindset, energy, and fitness. Tune in to understand the tactics behind Liverpool's 100% start to the season!
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Transcript
00:00:42
Michael
you
00:00:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome to today's episode of the Daily Liverpool Podcast brought to you by the Global Sports Podcast Network. I'm Adar Sramchen and welcome to our Tactics Tuesday show. So in today's episode we'll be discussing Liverpool's late, late win against Burnley at Turf Moor, courtesy of a 95th minute Mo Salah penalty which maintained a 100% perfect start to the season.
00:01:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
On today's episode I'm joined by Michael Lake to discuss all things tactics. Michael, how's it going?
00:01:20
Michael
It's going very well. um I mean, 4 for 4. Can't complain too much. Lovely to see the new third kit out out and about. um But yeah, think I think we've got some good things to talk about. I think it was a difficult game overall. It always is against Burnley. um i've got a But but the it was a difficult game.
00:01:39
Michael
But it's not like the... Like, Sean Dyche era, I thought, like, oh, they could actually get something from this. This game, I didn't think they were getting anything from it. Like, they were playing for a draw. So was an interesting one, and we'll discuss about that more. But, yeah, i it was good good to keep the 4-for-4 going, though.
00:01:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, 100%. I mean, the 100% record, let's see how long. We can maintain that. But um in part one, we're going to discuss um how Liverpool managed to end up eventually breaking down Burnley, sort of the tactical setup from Burnley and how Liverpool sort of managed to counteract that.
00:02:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
In part two, we're going to cover some of the key players in the match, mainly Verts, Gravenberg, Salah and Robertson. And in part three, we're going to talk about how the Reds keep leaving it late. Is it to do with mindset, energy, fitness, mentality, etc.?
00:02:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So part one, Michael, obviously, I mean, it was not, I mean, we keep leaving it late. and I know. But in terms of finally managed to get that win and obviously the handball, which led to the penalty.
00:02:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
But from a tactical point of view, obviously Burnley, I've seen a lot of people criticise Burnley's approach. um And I think it's was worth talking about Burnley, first of all, because... I mean, the last time they were in the Premier League, they were playing sort of expansive, out-from-the-back possession-style football. And, i mean, people were criticising them for playing that style of football under Vinton Company.
00:02:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
They come to the Premier League, they're playing a a lot more sort of astute, resolute, defensive, and still getting criticised. in a way, they can't really win. um But what did you make of their approach to the game? And, I mean, ah there's essentially a Scott Parker team that kind of just put 10 men behind the ball.
00:03:07
Michael
Yeah, I mean, it was a ah pragmatic approach. I mean, i get what you mean in terms of they can't win, in terms of if they come and play and get batted 4-0, they get criticised for not being solid at the back. If they come and kind of sit back, then they get criticised for not actually coming to play. So it's always difficult for the newly promoted teams, especially ones that are set up like Burnley, which have such a solid defensive record in the Championship. Like that was their kind of,
00:03:34
Michael
USP, that was their like whole thing. They were so good in the Championship defensively and they've kind of, and think Scott Parker's just trying to build on that. And I think also he might have in the back of his mind, last time he played Liverpool, he was Bournemouth manager and he got batted 9-0.
00:03:46
Michael
So I think maybe he had that in the back of his mind. I think that's right anyway. um So I think he maybe he was wanting to just kind of shore it up, get his makete points on the board, um which is, mean, they almost did.
00:04:00
Michael
i don't really, personally, I don't really see the kind of i can't see how people can really say that like burnley deserved it in terms of like i think a liverpool win is right like the the amount of chances we had and the amount of sort of uh attacking momentum we had throughout the whole game like burnley had probably two attacks and they had zero xg like that that was fundamentally how it boils down to it like a draw would have been very, very frustrating for us.
00:04:33
Michael
would have been good for them. But then like when people are saying like we didn't necessarily play well or create loads, we we actually had a lot of chances. It was a lot of shots or headers and in the box and stuff.
00:04:46
Michael
But when you're playing against a team that has nine, if not ten outfield players around the 18-yard box all times,
00:04:55
Michael
you're not going to be able to create those silky sort of one-v-one against the goalkeeper chances. um And we we did have that a few times in terms of like, we had like people running in behind and like gopu being one-on-one with defenders and stuff like that. We had a few of those moments, but against a team like Burnley, the only way going to have like luck is if you kind of have a moment of weakness on their behalf where they just switch off.
00:05:20
Michael
Or if you, create something magical or score a screamer or something. I think the closest screamer that, that we had was Subozdai when he wellied it and it got parried away.
00:05:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:05:30
Michael
um But in these sort of games, I think that this is where like maybe ah ah like a player like Florian Virts needs to kind of show up a little bit more um because his whole the whole reason we brought him in to play that 10 role is that he can just pop up in the pockets in that congested space and kind of work his magic.
00:05:49
Michael
And I thought this was one of his best games that we had. I mean, stats don't necessarily say that. um But in terms of our approach against Burnley... It was very different when different players got brought on because obviously we made two substitutions butre in the first sort of 46 minutes of the game um where both our fullbacks changed and the whole system kind of changed when St Bosley went into midfield and stuff.
00:06:15
Michael
So we were actively trying to kind of deal with those sort of opportunities and kind of, ah deal with that attacking problems that we had. I think the players like Salah were kind of left out in the cold a little bit. I think Hartman had a very good game against him and Esteve.
00:06:34
Michael
Esteve? Esteve? Esteve? um Yeah, like both of them played very well against Salah and like our kind of play sort focuses around the left to give spit that space on the right but because they have
00:06:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, how I was really impressed by him. He was really good, actually.
00:06:49
Michael
like that five back and then the four in front where Uga Chukwu, Esteve, Anthony and Hartman were all kind of a box around Salah. He kind of got left out in the cold a little bit.
00:07:00
Michael
And then when you've got that major attacking threat, not being able to get involved and get in behind and kind of play um to his full ability, then like you're going to struggle in terms of creativity and stuff.
00:07:11
Michael
Um, But I do think that maybe we did see glimpses of how we should be playing. Like when Robertson was on and um we were doing those sort of early crosses for those runners into the box.
00:07:22
Michael
We were getting like, brad when Bradley came on and it was Bradley and Robertson, Robertson was crossing the ball and Bradley was just bombing the box. And he had a few good attempts and stuff. And like, we kind of seen only seemed to do that once we took Ekotike off and maybe he we should have been trying that a little bit earlier with lot with early crosses or just with players running at the back post. Because there was a few opportunities where Ekotike and Virts kind of pushed the ball to towards that back post.
00:07:50
Michael
um but like no one was there and maybe we wish we needed more of those sort of box crashes and maybe that's where like so that i think in this system Slott is very cautious with his midfield too.
00:08:05
Michael
um They are sort of the recyclers and then the fullbacks and everyone else kind of does the, so it's like we have like that four in the middle as our base and then everyone else makes the runs and stuff, which is a little bit different to last season where you'd have like Curtis Jones running in from deep and stuff like that, um which is ah which is a lot different. um So I think it's really it's really interesting to see how we kind of,
00:08:30
Michael
approached the game and tried to probe and stuff and then you kind of knew as soon as the the red card was coming we were going to take Canate off because we only really needed Van Dijk back there and then we just had like but so many fullbacks, so many attackers we had everyone on the pitch trying to kind of push and it speaks volumes that as soon as we brought on Ngamoua we started like creating chances and looked very dangerous like I think Gakpo had a good game but Ngamoua in those sort of situations when you need a bit of a tricky player to kind of beat his man and kind of put a ball in I think that's where he's going to thrive and maybe against these sort of opposite ah ah opponents um might be his his chance that he should be getting some game time and a bit a little bit of a myth that he only came on late into the game what what minute was it it was the 87th minute but yeah
00:09:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ace of yeah No, it's interesting because I think when when teams set up to just nullify and just basically essentially part of the bus for a full 90 minutes, there's so many ways that you can break those down, whether that's set pieces, early crosses, intricate play, fast breaks, e etc.
00:09:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I feel like we tried bits of it during the game and um the the space was definitely out wide given that the middle of the pitch was kind was just so congested. I mean, it was hard for players like Verts.
00:09:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Gravenberg, who I thought was excellent in terms of receiving the ball in those tight spaces and manipulating the ball to create some chances.
00:09:48
Michael
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
00:09:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But definitely like Salah and Gakpo, the space was outwired and was quite hard for them. um You mentioned that box that Salah was basically trapped in with Hartman, Esteve, Antony and Ugachuku as well. So Yeah, it was really hard in terms of those spaces. But if in future Liverpool are, because ultimately as Premier League champions, you're going to play against teams that are going to sit back against us.
00:10:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
How do you think Liverpool will need to navigate that moving forward? Is about moving the ball quicker? Is it personnel? What are your thoughts?
00:10:19
Michael
I think it is moving the ball quicker and I think it's just doing things earlier. I think that's the key thing, like with whether it's like just shooting. I think we had a few good shots from distance, but every time we tried to shoot, we kind of left it second too long so they could get the block in. or Or when we were crossing in, we were kind of waiting that a little bit too long so they could take that step back and kind of recover.
00:10:41
Michael
um Like some of the best, like as just Robertson, when he came on, he was he was one of the best players that that was on the pitch. And he was kind of, he was putting those deep crosses in and kind of doing what Trent would be doing normally um if he was in the team.
00:10:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:10:57
Michael
And he was kind of taking that role and it was working. Like we had players like Bradley crashing the box. We had players like Chiesa getting on the end of a header that almost went in. It was probably one of our best chances. Like those sort of, when you've got those, when you're against a team that's sitting deep, they're not going to sit on their own goal line. So there's still a gap behind them.
00:11:17
Michael
And the way to get there is to get kind of runners in and kind of try and put the ball into that dangerous corridor of death kind of area. to kind of get people to sort of get the defenders to face their own goal because at minimum you're going to create chaos and then you can just if it doesn't work you just bring it back out and you recycle and you go again like I think we were just kind of a little bit lethargic with it at some points like um we just were kind of step standing on it a little bit too much you mentioned Gravenberg he was so so good He was dropping the shoulder. And then when he would, he would take out midfield players and then we would have the run at the back line. And that was where we looked dangerous. And there was good interplay between um the midfield players with Verts, Graham, Bertsch and McAllister.
00:12:02
Michael
And they all kind of worked very, very well and kind of were able to kind of pop off each other. And Sabozlai in particular, when he moved into midfield, he was doing very well. It was just carrying the ball away.
00:12:13
Michael
um ah quickly and running up and making them kind of for on the back foot because there was occasions where they were literally, they weren't on their 18-yard box, they were on their but penalty spot, like they were they were in the box and we were penning them back so much and I think at that point we needed to kind of make the most of kind of the pressure that we were doing because it would then be like it would be a pop shot or something like that that would kind of end that attack. and I think Dubravka looked a little bit shaky throughout, especially on set pieces towards the start.
00:12:45
Michael
I think we maybe should have made a lot more of those sort of opportunities. It was a little bit strange because we kind of split our big boys up with Ekotike making a for of near post run
00:12:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, yeah. Mm-hmm.
00:12:56
Michael
Canate in the middle and Van Dijk at back post at some points. And it was a little bit strange as opposed to just kind of crashing everyone in. and And once Gakpo started taking the corners, we were like trying to put it right on top of the goalkeeper's head and stuff.
00:13:08
Michael
And just kind of of kind of wasn't working. And I think those sort of opportunities would have been the best. um There was another opportunity where we had a free kick. and Sabozdai kind of hit it and it went over.
00:13:19
Michael
It was a little bit too close for him, but I was looking and Wurz was entirely open on that right-hand side.
00:13:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah yeah
00:13:26
Michael
Like, obviously, like, it's easy to say from the angle that we got, but like, like the the closest person was in the wall. If you just played it through and he hit it first time, but at least then you're having a better ah opportunity than a free kick. Like,
00:13:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah I feel like I agree with you but Sabon's like given what he did in the last game I think his a entire time I do get what you mean yeah hmm
00:13:43
Michael
Yeah, I think i think he looked he has the confidence. and I ah would have liked to maybe seen Verts as well put his hat in the ring after his free kick against... Who was it? Was it against Northern Ireland?
00:13:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Northern Ireland, yeah.
00:13:55
Michael
Yeah. um like But like that ah that that opportunity where like he wants to see his name in lights again, maybe.
00:14:03
Michael
Because Verts has obviously gone out there for a reason. He's seen that space. he's kind of And no one went with him. Maybe having that sort of... um being able to take a step back and being like that's actually probably a better opportunity because free kicks are never like free kicks are difficult to score at the best of times especially when you're that close so um maybe making the most of set pieces in that situation I think yeah I think overall our players actually played quite well um i think I think the players that got brought on all contributed well and kind of made a difference.
00:14:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, maybe.
00:14:36
Michael
And it's it'll be interesting to see when we've got the likes of Izak someone like that, where instead of bringing on Chiesa, we're bringing on Izak or Eketike. That'll be a huge difference. um And that'll be really interesting to see ah how we deal with those sort of deep...
00:14:52
Michael
deeper teams like the the small-minded teams like Arsenal who sit back and kind of absorb pressure and only play for set pieces um like it'll be really interesting see how we play against them because i I think our defensive problems have been kind of rectified a bit I know people were commenting on like the counter-attack and stuff like that but at no point was it were they actually a threat like
00:14:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:13
Michael
realistically, like if they got past Van Dijk and they got past Canarte, there's still Alisson. And most of the time, if they got past Van Dijk or Canarte, they've still got half the pitch to run. And by that time, they're going to get caught up. so So I thought we were quite good defensively and the counterintacts we did let happen were snuffed out fairly quickly and fairly like well.
00:15:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:15:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, actually, I did want to mention, actually, thought Canate had a really, really strong game, actually. I think he dealt with Anthony, especially, who's who's quite a tricky winger, quite pacey.
00:15:39
Michael
Mm-hmm.
00:15:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
think it was Burnley's probably biggest threat during the game as well. So I thought he dealt with Anthony really well and then those counter-attacks and Van Dijk's just doing his thing.
00:15:47
Michael
yeah
00:15:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're going to move on to part two. And you touched on sort of moving the ball quickly and, you know, having to create chances. And I thought we already mentioned him, but Gravenberg, i mean, I think we take for granted how how young he is, but how well he has been over this last year and a bit.
00:16:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
since slots put him in that number six position. I mean, yeah I actually thought he didn't really play, given the opposition and given them playing sort of 10 behind the ball. He didn't really play that number six. It was more of a number eight. It was more of a number eight performance from Gravenberg.
00:16:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just breaking through the lines. I mean, some of his touches, his first time like spins that he does, where he just lets the ball run and he just receives it on his back foot. I think he's just brilliant. And he just adds something completely different to that midfield, especially when you're you're up against sort of, you know,
00:16:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
two but banks of four five players. um You need some of that, someone who's going to drive and beat a man. But yeah, what did you make of Gravenberg's performance? Because we're definitely getting that Gravenberg that we had the beginning of last season who was just breathtaking.
00:16:48
Michael
Yeah, i mean, it was basically that Canarte and Van Dijk were playing the six roles and and they were so far up into Burnley's half that Gravenberts could just get that freedom to kind of move and roll the play role players in in the field. And I think he he he is definitely improving and I think not having him the first two games the season was ah evident that it hurt us. And I think him and McAllister are a very good duo um and him and Sabozlai are decent as well. I think I think he has to be in our midfield if we're going to do well.
00:17:19
Michael
So if he gets injured, that's where the problem kind of arises. I think ah like just on that oh just on that topic, if he does get injured, Stefan Bajetic is a similar-ish player
00:17:31
Michael
who I think like um could kind of get in the same so it i kind of get told to play in the same sort of way as Gravenberg. So I'd like to see when he comes back, because obviously he's still at the club and Slott has said he's very promising and could make a contribution. like I think like that he could be a good understudy.
00:17:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Profile.
00:17:49
Michael
um But anyway, I digress. um With Gravenberg... he he's one of those players that's just, he's silky.
00:17:56
Michael
he's He's lanky, but he's so good on the ball. He drops the shoulder so well and sends players for hot dogs. i think I think he's just, he, like, I could watch him all day, every day. I think he is up there with being one of my favourite players on on on the pitch, in the team, or how in general.
00:17:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:18:14
Michael
Yeah. I think, I think like he does the dog work as well in terms of like, he does make those tackles. He's, he's everywhere in terms of just kind of being in the way, which you want from your six, but then he's also got that sort of ball carrying ability, that passing ability and that recycling ability to kind of just keep the ball ticking over.
00:18:35
Michael
Um, and I think when he's partnered with someone like McAllister, uh, who's a little bit more of a, a tempo dictator in terms of his passing and stuff.
00:18:43
Michael
And, um, he He also has that ability to kind of dribble through the middle um or when he's with Jones or when he's with Sabaz Lai. I think he can partner with any of them, even though they've all got very different traits.
00:18:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:18:55
Michael
um And it's really good to see that like he is starting to get back to that sort of world, world, world-class ability because he is... He's his top five midfielders in the Premier League, if not top, at this moment in time. And he can only get higher because, as you said, he is very young still.
00:19:15
Michael
like he's He's still only, like what, 23, 24 maybe?
00:19:20
Michael
i don't know don't know the age of off the top of my head, but um what let me find He's Gravenberg.
00:19:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, probably, yeah.
00:19:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
All right.
00:19:26
Michael
He's 23, which is insane. um But yeah, so we are... We are very lucky to have such a young midfielder who can only grow. And remember when he first came thinking that he could be an option at the six, but obviously Klopp didn't see that.
00:19:42
Michael
um But now me and Slott think the same. and That's what we do. um But yeah, so, I mean, Gravenberch is incredible. um ah the The whole team had some really good performances. Yeah.
00:19:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, I mean, just just on Gravenberg before we move on, I think he's just grown into that Liverpool shirt. and And I mean, we're going to touch on players that are, you know, have such high expectations in a second who, you know, it's going to take them time to settle into Liverpool regardless. And I think we forget that, you know, Gravenberg, his first season at Liverpool, listen wasn't to plan. He it was in and out of the team, didn't really know where he fitted into the team. And obviously you mentioned Klopp not seeing him as a six, but he's he's someone who took time to really settle in and you can just see is he's, he's benefiting so much. And yeah, I'll say he's a crucial part of that spine and him and McAllister compliment each other so well. And when we get Alexis McAllister fully firing, which I know we will because he's too good of a player not to be,
00:20:39
Michael
Mm-hmm.
00:20:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah I mean, it's going to be scary for everyone else. um Before we move on to a break, we're going to touch on a player who I thought also had a brilliant game um yesterday, and that was Andy Robertson. Obviously coming on for Milos Kerkes, who probably had an event for half an hour at Turf Mall yesterday, but We'll speak about Kerkhez whilst we speak about Robertson, but i just thought he came on and just he knew exactly what was needed from the from the team.
00:21:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
He led by example, was from an attacking point of view, just you know putting in crosses, creating chances, linking up with players, um but obviously did his thing defensively.
00:21:08
Michael
Thank you.
00:21:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
But He definitely provided that example performance to Kirkes, I thought. um And there's bit of a message, I thought, in his performance to Slott saying like, look, I know that you've got you got Kirkes, but I'm still available. still ready to play. So yeah, Michael, what did you think of Robertson's cameo when he came on?
00:21:26
Michael
i thought I thought he was very good. he's There's a reason he was the best left back in the world for a number of years. um i think yeah I agree with you in terms of like he's setting an example for Kerkers because I think Kerkers, he is only 21. He's still got those sort of kinks in his game that he needs to iron out.
00:21:43
Michael
um And I think Robertson is probably the best person to kind of work under. i think And I think we will be getting the best out of Robertson in terms of he won't be overloaded with minutes. So we won't get that sort of like tired, lethargic Robertson. We'll get the full firing once his place back Robertson, which I think was shown ah in this game. I think...
00:22:03
Michael
he kind of came on, he he ah had energy, he was solid defensively, but he was also kind of just willing to just create. And like his first few touches in the game was literally, he got the ball, he started running, he megs someone and had a shot over the outside of his boot. Like,
00:22:18
Michael
that is That is Robertson at his best, like when he's just able to kind of find a way through and find a way to kind of create something. um And I think like I could definitely see against Atletico Madrid, Robertson getting a again the nod over Kerkes because I think at the moment, Kerkes is kind of struggling with those sort of he gets very close to players.
00:22:40
Michael
He gets very close to them, get very tight to them. And that's where he starts conceding fouls. Because if you're that close and you get spun, the only way to kind of recover is to take the player down like or let them go past you.
00:22:54
Michael
um And I think he needs to learn from Robertson about how to kind of read the game better, how to kind of when to attack, when not to attack. Because like at the moment, it seems like he stays back a bit too much and but then goes forward a bit too far and then kind of is a bit too rash in challenges or doesn't dive in enough or like he kind of doesn't seem to be doing much right like he has solid games don't get me wrong but i think he's not doing the best but robertson kind of came on knew when to go forward he knew when to stay he could read danger he was he would move in
00:23:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:23:28
Michael
it's to recycle possession or he'd make an overlapping run. He'd put an early cross in or he'd put a byline cross in. Like, he but has that ability because of his wealth of experience to kind of make those decisions.
00:23:42
Michael
And I think, like when Robertson came in, he did not start for the first few games. Alberto Moreno was still our first choice left back. Like, Milos Kierkegaard needs time. Milos Kierkegaard is younger than Robertson by a considerable amount.
00:23:55
Michael
And I think, like, i like it's going to be a good fight between them, like on the other side with Bradley and Frimpong, and Sir Bozla to some extent now.
00:24:06
Michael
the the We have a lot of depth, and we have a lot of players who can who are first-team players. like It's not like we have a start in 11 and the rest. We have a start in 15, 16, 22, however many, um that would all fill in well. And I think Robertson kind of proved that there is no downgrade in our left-back position.
00:24:27
Michael
if you play either of them, you're going to get a high quality performance.
00:24:30
Michael
And I think getting, getting shipped at ah ah before halftime is difficult on any player. But, um, I think the reasoning was solid from slot being like, he's ah you got got a yellow card so early and like, he can't really trust that he's not going to get another one.
00:24:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:24:47
Michael
Um, so like, and as opposed to going down to 10 men, which would have made our game plan so much harder.
00:24:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:24:53
Michael
Um, he wanted, you'd rather be cautious about that and kind of, help Kirchner's learn from that and maybe maybe get not be in that position in the future but yeah Robertson played really well and I'm really looking forward to seeing him more and hoping he plays against Atletico Madrid or against Everton even because we might need that sort of fiery tenacity wind-up merchant yeah
00:25:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, I think, yeah, I completely agree.
00:25:15
Michael
yeah
00:25:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think as well, just on Robertson, I mean, there was parts last season where he was getting heavily criticised and obviously you mentioned that, the overload on sort of his workload in terms of playing every game and obviously Simicast coming in, but not consistently giving him enough time to sort of recover between games.
00:25:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And yeah, he got a lot of criticism for some performances, but I think we kind of take for granted how good he is. um And you see when Kirkus is obviously coming into the team that you need that Robertson, you need that experience.
00:25:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
You need someone who's going be that guide, that coach to a young Kirkus. And yeah, just on Kirkus and slot. And I think he made absolutely the right decision because, know,
00:25:50
Michael
Mm-hmm.
00:25:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
If we go down to 10 men against team that's already sitting back, I mean, it's going to be even even harder. So I think Slott deserves great credit because that's a hard decision to make. um And the way he handled it when Kerkers came off, he didn't handle it with anger and he managed Kerkers really well.
00:26:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I thought that's just like the sign of a manager that's growing so much. And with Slott, I know he's won the Premier League already, but we still forget how young he is in terms of his experience in the Premier League. um So I thought that was that was brilliant management.
00:26:18
Michael
Yeah, he was giving Kirchhoff's feedback straight away as he was coming off the pitch, which I like to see. And I think Kirchhoff probably would understand that, like, yeah, um maybe maybe I would be getting sent off and I don't want that to be on um my conscience for this first Liverpool season.
00:26:34
Michael
So hopefully he doesn't get sent off. But um I think Slott being able to kind of make those tough decisions is going well for him.
00:26:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, 100%. So we're going to talk about some other players, mainly Salah and Wurtz, after the break and also talk about how Liverpool keep leaving it late and the tactical analysis behind that.
00:26:45
Michael
you
00:26:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
But all of that after this very short break.
00:27:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Amazing. So we talked about two standout performances in terms of Kramberg and Robertson. um We're also going to talk about Vert in terms of he had a much better game.
00:27:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Still a little bit underwhelming in some aspects. um But Michael, he's still going into league. He's still 22 years of age. I mean, that £150 million pound price tag um is still going to be a big weight on his shoulders. He's got so much potential. Yeah.
00:27:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
But in a game where you needed a bit of magic, you needed someone to to unlock a door, did we see parts of Wurz's game where he was able to do that? um Or yeah are you still wanting more? I know it's still early days, but yeah, your thoughts on Wurz. I feel like we're going asking the question on Florian Wurz every game.
00:28:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
um If he has a good game, if he has a bad game, be below par. But yeah, what did you make of Wurz against Burnley?
00:28:18
Michael
Yeah, i think he had a I think he had quite a decent game in terms of his sort chances created and kind of his whole overall movement. He was popping up in good places. He was kind of being a lot of bit more direct. He was creating little little chances with his movement and stuff like that. I think, he as you said, he's 22. He's a young player.
00:28:39
Michael
And every time I see a rival fan talk about him, the price tag gets more and more. But at this moment in time, is £100 million. That's it. It's a lot of money, but it's not 150 million. It's not 180 million. 120 million.
00:28:53
Michael
It's 100 million. um And it will only be 115 million if, allegedly, we win the Premier League or Champions League four times.
00:28:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
00:29:02
Michael
I think that's right. I think that's what I've seen.
00:29:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Oh, well, yes, you're correct.
00:29:05
Michael
Which is... um mean I mean, hope we have to pay that £15 million. That would be great. Most likely we won't. So it's a £100 million pound player. ah He's a 22-year-old. He is by far, by far the best young talent in in the Bundesliga. Like, he's the best young talent in Germany for w who has a major footballing power.
00:29:27
Michael
Like, he is... He played for a team under Xabi Alonso. He was the talisman for that team. When Xabi Alonso came into that team and they were almost in relegation, the higher-ups were telling him, don't worry, Florian Vert is back in a month and you'll be fine.
00:29:42
Michael
like that was through that that He is that important. And that was when he was like 20, 21. He is growing and this is a whole new league. He's played in Germany, which is obviously a little bit different, but he's also kind of he he can grow. you can already see that his performances are getting better and better. His understanding with his teammates is getting better.
00:30:02
Michael
Like, it's one of those things that, like, a player that he predominantly played in that sort of left channel for Leverkusen. Now he's getting told you can have the whole pitch.
00:30:13
Michael
You can have the whole front line.
00:30:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
you
00:30:14
Michael
like that it That in itself takes a lot of adaption on top of his age, on top of the the league he's in, on top of the new players that he's playing with. like All these things are factoring in. And I think in terms of the performance in this specific game,
00:30:31
Michael
ah he He had a good game. He got we created four chances. He had an 80% pass success rate in that sort of congested final third. he His goal is expected goals and expected assists combined was 0.43, which is one of the highest in the on the pitch. I think, like, ah these... these like he I think all the criticism is a little bit unfair and I really hope he does score or assist soon so that the 007 thing doesn't come up because I would rather see the United players get that than any of ours because I think it's unfair, really.
00:31:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, gosh.
00:31:06
Michael
um But I can see him scoring or getting an assist soon with him taking corners, with him taking like the initiative in the final third. I think it's just just a bit of a learning curve and...
00:31:17
Michael
Overall, he played well. um And overall, he is getting better, which is all that you need to see from a player like that. We've spent a lot of money on him. He's young. He's an investment for the future.
00:31:30
Michael
And he is getting better. If he if he stays at this trajectory, by the end of the year, he's going to be the best player in the league because of the performances he's put in.
00:31:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's true.
00:31:36
Michael
he He's continuously getting better. And if he continuously gets better after 38 games in the season, he's going to be... like going to be the reason why City were clamouring for from him to be the du bo De Bruyne replacement. like Now they're obviously saying he's crap, but obviously at one point they were all gushing over and being like he's the best player in the world.
00:31:55
Michael
So these but these fickle fans can say what they want, but my boy Verts is one of the best players in the world and they cannot take that away from me.
00:32:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, completely agree. I think he's yeah like he's got so much time. He's an investment. I think you put the nail on the head. He's an investment for the future. Obviously, you want to see rewards his product now.
00:32:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, I mean, like if he keeps going on the trajectory, he's going to get better and better as time goes on.
00:32:17
Michael
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
00:32:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think there was a couple of things, actually, that um I think Carragher mentioned it in commentary around his one-touch passing. is is is He's so fluid on the ball. And I think he he definitely adds that to...
00:32:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
the Liverpool team. And I think there's been a lot of talk around how Verts and players like Tiki are getting used to the system and getting used to playing for Liverpool. But I also think the players in and around Verts are getting used to playing with Florian Verts.
00:32:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
In the sense of, I don't think we've had a player at Liverpool who can play one-touch passes, who can be so fluid on the ball, who can receive the ball in such tight areas, manipulate. i mean, there was that chance where he basically cut it inside, then cut it back, and then cut it back again to hit a shot. And I mean, if he if he scores that, we're we're having we're having a complete different conversation around Florian Verts.
00:33:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But yeah, I mean, he's going to take time. And I think... um Hopefully he gets that goal or gets that assist in the in the next coming games. And he's got, I mean, Atletico Madrid and Everton at home. So, you know, definitely he's going to get a lot of the ball and hopefully some chances.
00:33:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But one player he did link up really well with was Salah, who I thought, you know, didn't have the best game. But you can see that combination between Verts and Salah.
00:33:29
Michael
Mm-hmm.
00:33:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But Michael, on Salah, obviously scores a winning goal. He gets his he gets his goal in and in the end via the penalty. But his overall game has caused a little, let's say, like interested debate on social media over the last few days. I mean, him not being really involved, not having the best performance, but still getting a goal.
00:33:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, what were you making of Salah and his start to the season? um is It's taken time for him to adapt to the new players, would say. But yeah, what are your thoughts on his overall game?
00:33:59
Michael
I think, yeah um ah I mean, compared to his previous seasons, I'd probably describe it as lacklustre. I think he's, he but i I mean, his standards are so high. He's already got, he got a golden assist in four games. I mean, that really isn't bad in in terms of output for any normal player, but he is not normal.
00:34:17
Michael
Um,
00:34:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:34:18
Michael
I think like he has glimpses, like very small glimpses. like There was a few occasions where he played some good one-touch football and then suddenly someone just missed misplaced the pass or had a heavy touch and then that kind of fizzled out. um I think in terms of...
00:34:34
Michael
I think because he's not getting relied upon like as much, I think, and and the ball is kind of being evenly distributed around. like um think the difference with like he isn't getting as many touches as, say, a Florian Verts. While last season he would be getting sort of 80 plus, 90, 100 touches a game, he's now getting sort of in the 50 region and Florian Verts is getting the 80 touches. So like the ball is kind of more central as opposed to coming down like it's more center center left kind of vibe than it is coming down the right and there's less sort space in that in that right channel for him to kind of just operate and do what he wants in because teams are obviously getting wise to him and sticking ah like sticking a left back right on him and not letting him move saying that he's somehow managed managed to get sorry two goals and assists because obviously he scored against Burnley
00:35:30
Michael
um But like he's managed to make some sort of headway um in the game. and like he's He is creating some chances. He does the occasional cross. and like He's always available to kind of make the opposition scared. um We've kind of touched upon Hartman and yesterday having very good games against him.
00:35:52
Michael
um And I think that's just it's just difficult. It seems like players on the opponent's left on that right on the opponents la left-hand side, oh like them just seem to be more motivated to do well.
00:35:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. unid yeah
00:36:04
Michael
um Evidently, because you're coming up against ah a franchise player, as the Americans would say. i know I know we've got a lot of American listeners, so that one's for you guys. um He is our star. He is our main man.
00:36:18
Michael
He is our coffee bar king. um And he he like gets focused on, and that's going to obviously reduce his game time. But I think, he like same with Verz, he just needs time to kind of settle in with these new players.
00:36:32
Michael
I think the the whole point about it is that, like... this is a whole new system basically like it's not it's nowhere even near the last season system like stuff like the out of possession shape is different we're setting up as opposed to a 4-2-4 like last season we're setting up in a 4-3-3 like slightly off centre because Gakpo drops and Salah doesn't but like We're setting up in that way. So that's completely different in terms of like who, which players are pushed up, how we're pressing, where we're winning the ball back.
00:37:03
Michael
All those things are changing. So like all the players need to kind of adjust to what Slott is thinking. But I have full faith that after a bit of time that Slott is, that Slott gets with these boys and kind of has all like the big players like Anizak kind of settling in a little bit more.
00:37:20
Michael
I think then we'll be able we'll be seeing more of the fruit of his labour in terms of getting Salah more involved because last season Salah carried the team entirely.
00:37:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:37:31
Michael
But this season, we've already seen Ekotike contributing with goals. We've seen Salah contributing with goals. We've seen alllthough like a few different players kind of popping up with goals at this early point in the season where...
00:37:45
Michael
I think maybe Salah would have been a lot more involved last season. So it's it's interesting to see how he's kind of having to adapt, but he's ah he's a world-class player and can get a goal when he wants in terms of he can score a penalty, which is his first penalty that he scored because I'm pretty sure he's missed two already this season.
00:38:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, no, yeah, he has. um It's been a, yeah, mix I was very nervous about him taking the penalty, but I realised when he took it, I shouldn't be nervous because when when it comes to the clutch penalties, and we were talking about this actually on um yesterday's post-match, with Salah, when it comes to the clutch penalties, he scores.
00:38:09
Michael
No, no.
00:38:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
When it comes to the penalties when in a community shield, um you know, penalty shootout or friendly match against Atletico Bilbao,
00:38:26
Michael
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
00:38:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's not it's it's not that important if he's if he scores. But the clutch once he scores, and I think that that's a sign of a world-class player, like you mentioned. You mentioned getting the goals, spreading the goals around the team.
00:38:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
um We can't say the same for spreading the goals in terms of the 90 minute mark because Michael, this season, I mean, how many goals are we scoring in the last 10 minutes of matches and moving on to sort the last part of today's episode?
00:38:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
um It's just really interesting.
00:38:53
Michael
All
00:38:53
Michael
All
00:38:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
We've always had that sort of mentality that we're going to fight to the death.
00:38:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're going to score late winner. i had I just had that feeling.
00:38:59
Michael
right.
00:39:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know about you I had the feeling that it was a 93rd minute and I still thought we would score. It's just something within our mentality, mindset. But also, is there anything from sort of the the tactical point of view, from slot, from the management team, where...
00:39:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know Is it to do with our fitness? I know um the boys are spending a lot more time in the gym in terms of you know physicality and fitness.
00:39:20
Michael
Thank you.
00:39:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Slot's made that big part of sort the the training regime. So what do you think it is in terms of how we're leaving it late and the fact that we are managed to get the these late goals?
00:39:31
Michael
I think we are just kind of suffocating teams, especially against Burnley. Like we had kind of, we were literally kind of choking them with like, we had players all the way around the edge and we had players in the middle and we had literally one centre back on the pitch. Like we were kind of just pushing them and pushing them and pushing them until they cracked.
00:39:51
Michael
And like, it turned out it was a United player who bottled it for them, which is apt. um I mean, Mersuri being a former United player, it just seems right that he would be the one who bottles it for them. um Like, what was he doing sticking his arm out like that? I think it's one of those things that like when a team has to defend for 90 minutes, usually it's the players that are on the pitch for the whole time.
00:40:17
Michael
Not in this case, but like those players have to concentrate for the whole 90 minutes. It's like, if not more without a time and like any slip up can mean that you lose the game.
00:40:28
Michael
So like when you just put in on that much pressure and like your players are just keeping the ball and not having to move as much and stuff like that, it just leaves you fresher for those last few minutes.
00:40:39
Michael
um And I think Slott knows that and he brings on players that are good in in kind of game-dying situations where plate the way where the opposition are kind of tired and they they just need, like, movement will kill them.
00:40:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:40:56
Michael
like So that's why he brings on Chiesa. That's why he brings on Ngomoua. That's why he brings on, like, Frimpong. Like, know these players are... they're not necessarily like going to bully you, but they're going to move.
00:41:08
Michael
They're going to move a lot and you're going to have to move with them. And if you're not if you're not entirely up with it, you might not have that awareness to kind of not move out a position when you like when you should or like kind of break the line or you're going to make mistakes ah if you've got players moving around you all the time and you have to concentrate.
00:41:26
Michael
And I think just suffocating teams and kind of constricting them into their own 18-yard box and kind of putting that pressure on um And we are the mentality monsters. That is how we've been described in the past. That is how we are.
00:41:40
Michael
like we are We are the comeback kings, the mentality monsters.
00:41:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:41:43
Michael
we are the We are the team that fights until the end. We do not leave things. like Nothing is dead until we until the gate the full-time whistle. That is how we approach games, and that is obviously working for us. so And...
00:41:58
Michael
like A win is a win. Like, it doesn't matter if it's in the first minute or in the 95th minute.
00:42:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Tell them out, yeah.
00:42:03
Michael
Like, a win is a win is a win. Like, we are able to find these ways to kind of... This one obviously obviously might have been a bit lucky, but, like, the other games that we've scored late, like, we've... Just because of persistence, it's because we've wanted it more.
00:42:20
Michael
It's because we pushed for it all the way. And I think like as much as like the team can be maybe criticised for not getting it done earlier, it shows the quality and it shows the kind of perseverance that we have done it.
00:42:35
Michael
like where the the The ability to kind of win four from four and score all the winners after the 80th minute is just it just shows that maybe the opposition might have turned switched off and we didn't.
00:42:49
Michael
And like obviously that's difficult to do for the whole of the season and we do probably need to start killing games off earlier, but... especially in this game where there's ah this game and the last game in terms of teams that just like to defend and have nothing going for them when they're going forward.
00:43:05
Michael
Like just being able to constrict and kind of taking the opportunity when it arises is completely key and is what we need to be doing. And that's what champions do. Like Arsenal have no concept of that because they're not winners. They are...
00:43:19
Michael
second place merchants they are a crap team that's set piece FC like that is what Arsenal are you're a set piece FC you don't know how to win games properly you are a you're you're a second place team champions champions win no matter what
00:43:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm not a year.
00:43:38
Michael
We push until the end. We don't just go, ah well done, lads. A draw, a draw. Well done. There, there, draw, yes. Oh, come on, get in.
00:43:48
Michael
All those videos of AFC TV celebrating nil-nils. Like, that is that is that is a bottom-tier fan base with a bottom-tier mentality. That's what that is.
00:43:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
and tell
00:43:58
Michael
Like, they we are mentality monsters, and we are better than them. We are better than every team. We are better than them. We can do this.
00:44:07
Michael
They cannot. They cannot do this.
00:44:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
We owe 100%.
00:44:10
Michael
We are a different breed.
00:44:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know what?
00:44:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
you make That is such a good point around the fan base. Because, I mean, I just mentioned to you about the mentality. It got to 93 minutes and I thought we were still going to win. And that's the belief that this team has put into us as fans.
00:44:25
Michael
Mm-hmm.
00:44:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like, even the start to season, we've we stuck with the team. even We know that the performances have been below par. But whether it's the first minute or the 95th, 96th, 100th minute in some games, we've still found a way and still felt that belief.
00:44:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
i I now have the confidence going forward in the season. We just need the chance to win a game. we We are so deadly when it comes to that sort of 90-minute mark. And Michael, one of my favourite quotes is, it's better late than never.
00:44:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that's what Liverpool been doing. um
00:44:52
Michael
Yeah, of course.
00:44:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, yeah, it's absolutely brilliant. And um just the final point, actually. but don't know if you saw on like social media, but Liverpool, I think, at the AXA training ground have like a wall where they they've been putting their like most you know
00:45:06
Michael
The winners, the iconic highlights from this season, yeah.
00:45:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah but clutch moments and and this is just another one that's going to go on that wall and you can see that that's that's instilling that mentality that you know never say die attitude that we're going to win no matter what and I mean that's a powerful sign and scary for other teams really um yeah that's true
00:45:18
Michael
yeah Yeah, I mean, I want to see that wall having 11 different players on that up there because at the moment we're four for four.
00:45:29
Michael
Four different players in the last minute winning it for the team, showing that anyone can do it. That's what we need to do. um
00:45:37
Michael
But yeah, I like that, but having it up on the wall and kind of showing that like these are key things and these are key moments for the season and um we're just going to keep adding to it and we're just going to keep winning.
00:45:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
hmm
00:45:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, i know, 100% and long may it continue. um But that's all for today's episode of Tactics Tuesday. Thank you, Michael. I've thoroughly enjoyed today's episode episode. I felt like we we touched on a lot of um really interesting topics.
00:45:59
Michael
Yeah.
00:45:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Join us tomorrow as we review more latest news around Liverpool and obviously Liverpool are back in Champions League action against Atletico Madrid at Anfield.
00:46:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
um European nights under the lights at Anfield. can't wait. From all of us at Daily Liverpool, it's goodbye for now and we'll see you all soon.