In the modern Premier League, success is no longer defined solely by goals and points. Tactical intelligence, data-led planning, and structural clarity have become essential in differentiating genuine progress from surface-level performance. This data analysis report utilises a combination of progressive metrics, possession models, and underlying performance data to examine...
It has been quite the season in the Premier League. At the summit, a fight to secure UEFA Champions League football in the next campaign broke out, lasting right up until the final day. For the second consecutive year, the three teams promoted last summer were relegated back down to the Championship....
The 2024/2025 Premier League season has become a tactical battleground where vertical progression and transitional threat are redefining success at the top level — this data analysis explains exactly how. In this data analysis report, we focus on how Liverpool, under new coach Arne Slot, have reclaimed their dominance with...
Very few people can question Liverpool Manager Arne Slot's tactics or personnel choices this season. The Dutchman arrived last summer and won the Premier League against Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta on his first attempt. Despite this, young Englishman Harvey Elliott is one player some Liverpool fans feel has been underutilised. Elliott, a...
Football is an ever-changing sport, with no two seasons ever being the same, and the game constantly evolving. As each year passes, new players are discovered, teams alter their appearances, and emerging coaches seek to add their stamp to the game. The other aspect that changes year-on-year is the tactics...
Listen to this article free on the TFA Podcast! Subscribe for free on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or via RSS. The Premier League has one unique advantage over the other top-five leagues in Europe: The language. English has essentially become the global language; therefore, most of the younger generation is learning...
The Shift To 4-2-4 Formation In recent times, certain formations have become the convention for deployment, as they are conducive to meeting the tactical demands of modern football. The 4-3-3 formation, for example, somewhat phased out the regular 4-4-2 formation due to its numerical superiority in midfield. By extension, the...
The departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool will be a seismic shift for the club tactically. From academy graduate to generational talent, Alexander-Arnold embodies Liverpool’s identity. A local lad and a Scouser, he has redefined the full-back role in modern football. His ability to dictate games from deep areas, passing...
Liverpool find themselves at a crossroads regarding their left-back options. Andrew Robertson turned 31 this season, and his contract is set to expire in 2026. His understudy, Kostas Tsimikas, will be 29 by the end of the campaign and remains under contract until 2027. Both players may have passed their...
The inverted full-back position is an ever-evolving position, and new ideas and tactics for best utilising these players are constantly being introduced. This tactical analysis will show some of the most common ways inverted full-backs are being used not just in the build-up but also to finish off attacks. Inverted full-backs can become...
After an exciting final against Liverpool, Newcastle United won the EFL Cup, securing their first trophy in 70 years. In a match that Newcastle United aimed to be filled with emotions, physicality, and transitions, the Magpies triumphed as they succeeded in their objectives, securing their first silverware since the FA...
The days of the classic "big and small" striker duo or the "act 1 and act 2" partnerships were once a staple of football, especially in English leagues. These partnerships combined different strengths, like power, skill, flair, and goal-scoring ability, to great effect. Think of the iconic pairings that defined...
In the Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League, there are no matchups left where bad teams represent their countries and leagues, but there are still standout matchups that people are talking about. Paris Saint-Germain vs Liverpool was definitely one of those and is arguably the best matchup we...
Liverpool have overcome another hurdle on their way towards the 2024/25 Premier League title, defeating Manchester City away from home by two goals to nil this past weekend. Arne Slot’s Reds took an early lead through Mohamed Salah from a set-piece in the 14th minute before Dominik Szoboszlai doubled the...
For Liverpool fans, the 2024/25 Premier League season has been one of mixed feelings. On the plus side, the appointment of head coach Arne Slot as Jürgen Klopp’s replacement has proven to be a masterstroke. The team currently leads the English top flight by seven points and has advanced to the Champions League last...
Since last season, Arsenal have been consistent in creating goals from crosses. This season (not including the game vs Leicester last weekend), Arsenal have already scored 11 goals from crosses, which means they're just seven goals away from matching last season's total. Their 0.5 assists per game this season are...
Liverpool are nearly the best in everything in the Premier League. They are in first place in the table with 53 points, six above Arsenal, who have 47 points, knowing that the Reds played one less game. In the UEFA Champions League, the situation is nearly the same, holding the...
One of the biggest emerging stories of the January transfer window is Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's status as a Napoli player. It’s been reported that Kvaradona and his club have reached a stalemate in contract extension talks. The Georgia international’s current deal expires in the summer of 2027. This news has put...
The highline in football is not a new concept but one that coaches still treat with some trepidation, mainly because it is rarely coached and often just told. Many coaches don't spend time on the skill of catching an opposition forward offside, but when teams employ a high press, coaching...
This tactical theory will analyse tactics used in the attacking phase by teams playing in a 4-3-3 formation. The tactical analysis will focus on both the individual techniques and movements used by players in Europe's top teams as well as how these forwards interact with their teammates. Current Premier League...
