The biggest game in English football has an added narrative to it this year, with Liverpool taking on Manchester United in a top of the table clash, something which has become somewhat of a rare occurrence in recent years. Manchester United go into the game top of the table after a good run of form following their poor start to the season, with the Red Devils now unbeaten in their last eleven league games. Liverpool, despite a blip in form and injuries throughout the season, have kept pace at the top of the Premier League, and sit three points behind United, despite picking up only two points from their last three matches.
The game promises to be an interesting tactical match up from both teams perspective, but it is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who faces the biggest tactical decision. Does he revert back to the 3-4-1-2, or does he stick with the 4-2-3-1? This tactical analysis will focus on both of these systems and their advantages and disadvantages, and will look at how Liverpool can look to exploit either of these formations, with concepts and tactics such as midfield rotations, overloading the half-space, and playing more direct all discussed.
The 3-4-1-2
Looking at the 3-4-1-2 from the outside, you may think that choosing this formation would suggest a more defensive approach from Solksjaer, with United perhaps sitting deeper in a 5-2-1-2 and looking to frustrate Liverpool. However, the 3-4-1-2 typically lends itself to a more aggressive press, and Solksjaers use of the formation against teams such as PSG and Liverpool saw some good pressing performances.
In the earlier stages of the game, United tend to be a lot more aggressive within their 3-4-1-2, and this system matches up well with a 4-3-3 in a man-oriented fashion. We can see below Man United pressing in a more zonal-man oriented fashion in the middle of the pitch, with PSGs structure allowing United to match up easily. Strikers apply pressure from in front of the centre backs, and so central lanes and show the ball wide. The presence of three central midfielders staggered to deal with PSGs deeper pivot also allows for the centre to be made very compact, and so this further helps the ball to be forced wide.
When the ball is forced wide, we see that added aggression from United, as they will push a wing-back forward to press the opposition full-back when they receive the ball. Central options remain covered thanks to the numbers in midfield, and pressure can always be maintained on the ball, while the United backline is then engaged in a 3v3 against Liverpools forward line. We can see in this example also that the midfield doesnt operate with strict man-marking, as Fred here occupies Roberto Firmino, while Gini Wijnaldum has moved higher to try and receive. There is a specific weakness within their midfield pressing which Liverpool can exploit, which I will cover later in this analysis.
We can see another example her
