FA Cup 2019/20: Liverpool vs Everton – tactical analysis

The FA Cup continues in the very first weekend of this new decade. There were only two games where two Premier League sides meet each other in the tournament’s third round. In Saturday, Wolverhampton faced Manchester United, which ended in an unwanted stalemate for both teams. Less than 24 hours after, Liverpool had to host Everton at Anfield; a mighty fortress for the Reds.

Both managers approached this match differently. Jürgen Klopp opted to rest almost all of his regular starters and played lots of reserve players, while Carlo Ancelotti picked his best team for this cup game. Despite all of that, it was Klopp’s side that successfully reached the next round after a narrow 1–0 win via Curtis Jones’ goal. Without further ado, this tactical analysis will inform how the match unfolded.

Lineups

For this game, Klopp picked his usual 4–3–3 for Liverpool. The starters were heavily filled with youngsters, starting with Neco Williams and Nathaniel Phillips at the back. Upfront, Divock Origi started as a left-winger, supported by 16-year-old Harvey Elliott in the opposite side; with Takumi Minamino leading the frontline. The bench was filled with names like Yasser Larouci, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Rhian Brewster.

In the other side, Ancelotti fielded his strongest squad in 3–4–3; which shifted to 4–4–2 defensively. Séamus Coleman, Yerry Mina, and Mason Holgate started as the back three. Talisman Dominic Calvert-Lewin was flanked by Richarlison and former Arsenal player, Theo Walcott. Names like Bernard, Fabian Delph, and Moise Kean had to start the game from the dugout.