At Anfield, Liverpool will face a Herculean task in Barcelona as their opponent after a 3-0 defeat in the first leg game. Jürgen Klopps side will need to evolve attacking power up front and defensive solidity in the back. Obviously, this will be a tough nut to crack against the Spanish champions Barcelona.
However, why Liverpool might not be without a chance? How Klopps side might overcome Barcelona will be outlined in the following tactical preview. Moreover, we will point out how Barcelonas positional play needs to be improved in order to ensure Valverdes side to outplay the opposition press.
Tactical approaches in the first leg game
In Barcelona, the home-side was capable of beating Liverpool with 3-0. Nevertheless, as football is a game with a relatively low number of goals, the result should never be the only foundation when evaluating a match.
Liverpool deployed a 4-3-3 system facing Barcelona. The biggest surprise of Liverpools lineup was that Klopp lined up usual midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum as the central player of their attacking department.
Barcelona, on the other hand, played, as expected, in their typical 4-3-3 formation. With wingers who preferred to tuck inside and high positioned full-backs, Barcelona attempted to progress up the pitch.
Liverpools attacking trio played in a slightly asymmetrical shape. Whereas right winger Mohamed Salah often stayed in a wide area, left winger Sadio Mané tucked inside. The Senegalese often tried to get behind Barcelonas back line with diagonal runs. To create space for Mané, striker Wijnaldum regularly dropped into midfield and therewith acted like a false nine.
The home-side used a 3-4-3 system duri
