How ‘clinical’ Liverpool and their pressing were able to edge a win over a dangerous Leipzig side

The UEFA Champions League got back underway on Tuesday night, with RB Leipzig hosting Liverpool in Budapest. The match posed an interesting challenge for both teams, with Liverpool struggling in the Premier League to recapture their form of last season, while Leipzig were aiming to make a statement of intent in the tie. The matchup of managers was also an interesting one with a similar dynamic, with Julian Nagelsmann out to prove (if he still needs to) that he can battle it out and manage at the highest possible level. The match itself gave some answers to these questions, with the game a close-knit affair where both teams were probably happy with their overall performance, but Liverpool were obviously happier with the result.

Some pundits and fans seemed to criticise RB Leipzig following the game, suggesting that Liverpool had dominated the game and deserved to be clear winners,  which is a statement I would disagree with. Leipzig showed their tactical nous and flexibility in the game and caused Liverpool problems at times, and their defensive structure made the game a very even one in my eyes, with Liverpools technical quality in the final third helping them to score their two away goals. Liverpools pressing also allowed them to control many moments of the game, and although they did not create many chances as such, they certainly forced the errors out of Leipzig. In this tactical analysis then, we will look at the pressing of Liverpool and how this allowed them to win the game, as well as looking at Leipzigs own pressing and some concepts around their positional play tactics, which created some good opportunities for them.

Lineups

As predicted in my tactical preview for the game, Nagelsmann opted for a 3-1-4-2. Kevin Kampl acted as the six within this midfield, with Marcel Sabitzer and Amadou Haidara either side of him, while Leipzig also didnt opt for a recognised striker, instead using Christopher Nkunku and Dani Olmo up front. Liverpool went with their usual 4-3-3, with the midfield of Gini Wijnaldum, Thiago, and Curtis Jones particularly impressive.

Leipzig pressing

Leipzigs pressing shape was effective in the game and was very rarely broken by Liverpool, and much of this was down to their pressing in central areas. Leipzig pressed in a 3-1-4-2 formation with some slight flexibility in the midfield. This formation was chosen, as it aimed to maintain pressure on Liverpools full-backs at all times without sacrificing a central player either from defence or in midfield. The two strikers Olmo and Nkunku pressed the Liverpool centre backs, while the two higher Leipzig central midfielders (eights) would press any Liverpool midfielders in front.

The main reason for using this press I belie