Premier League 2018/19: Liverpool vs Everton

The 232nd edition of the Merseyside Derby saw two of the more in-form clubs in the Premier League play out an energetic if not chaotic match. Marco Silva has Everton threatening the top six in the Premier League with proactive, balanced football. Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool had just come off a frustrating Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain. The Reds looked to regain the momentum of an unbeaten league start and what better way to do so than with a win against your domestic rival in your own home?

Lineups

Klopp has used two notable formations this season: the archetypal 4-3-3 Liverpool have utilised in years past, and the newer 4-2-3-1, something the German has slowly been more comfortable applying with the expanded midfield personnel. This specific 4-2-3-1 saw one of the two deeper central midfielders- more often Gini Wijnaldum- push forward into a 4-1-4-1 (this also is an example of how formations are mostly coached foundations, freer-flowing than they look).

Everton deployed a similar formation, albeit more of a 4-4-1-1 with the wide attackers staying back further to maintain structured defending.

The Potential and Pitfalls of Pressing

In the beginning, it was clear Marco Silva wanted his team to press. When Liverpool’s centre backs or deep midfielders were in possession, Everton’s attackers Richarlison and Gylfi Sigurdsson pushed forward in a front-two press in attempts to block outlets and intercept the ball with open space in front of them.

Liverpool Tactical Analysis Statistics — The early attempts from Everton’s front line in a 4-4-2 shape had mixed results, though the few times it was successful either Joe Gomez or Virgil van Dijk made excellent last-ditch defending plays. Here, however, notice how Richarlison not only presses van Dijk but also makes sure he is directly between him and Fabinho, blocking any potential pass to the midfielder. Van Dijk resorts to hitting a long ball.

This early tactic also meant a positioning further up the pitch for midfielders Andre Gomes and Idrissa Gueye, which in turn left pockets of space around Everton’s back four to exploit. Liverpool did a good job resisting the press through Fabinho and via outlets in the wide areas.

Everton’s bold attempts to attack Liverpool in a direct approach often left the Toffees exposed at the back. Liverpool chose to counter-attack and get into said space using long balls from the full backs to the wide attackers, usually, Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mane, running behind Everton’s back line, often just barely failing to connect.