Match Analysis: Liverpool - Manchester United

1. © Copyright by Athanasios Terzis 2015
Match analysis: Liverpool – Manchester United
Tactical adjustments more effective for United
By Athanasios Terzis
The most important match of the Premier League was the one between
Liverpool and Manchester United. United managed to win in a very interesting
match as regards tactics.
1st
half: The tactical adjustments for United were much more
effective
Liverpool: The reds used their usual 3-4-3 formation. Brendan Rodgers
wanted to take advantage of the numerical superiority near the side lines,
while the quality wingers Lallana and Coutinho could also converge and
attack through the middle by passing vertically or shooting at goal. As regards
the defensive phase their main aim was to compensate for the numbers down
in midfield and close Carrick down, who was the free player for United.

2. © Copyright by Athanasios Terzis 2015
Furthermore Rodgers wanted to maintain safety at the back, that’s why he
tried to retain numerical superiority against the three United forwards. So in
most of the cases Liverpool maintained two more players at the back (5 v 3)
by using a more defensive minded 5-4-1formation..

3. © Copyright by Athanasios Terzis 2015
Manchester United: Van Gaal used a 4-3-3 formation. This shape was
attacking minded as Mata and Young stayed most of the time in advanced
positions marking the side defenders Sakho and Can, while Rooney was on
Skrtel. This created a 3 v 3 situation. As regards the 2 v 3 near the side lines
Van Gaal tried to deal with Carrick’s intelligent positioning which was the key
for winning the game.
Both managers are attacking minded and want their teams to dominate
possession. A very important element during this game was which team
would dictate the game through high percentages of possession. Liverpool
had to compensate for the numbers down in midfield while United had to deal
with the 3 v 2 near the side lines. Rodgers tried to deal with Carrick through
two tactical tricks. When United’s deeper midfielder was on the weak side, the
winger of the weak side (Coutinho or Lallana) had to take over his marking by
converging towards the centre.

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On the other hand when Carrick was on the strong side one of the central
midfielders either Allen or Henderson had to take over his marking. The rest
midfielders shifted accordingly.

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United had to deal with the numbers down on the flanks. Furthermore Van
Gaal wanted to apply pressing high up the field to force Liverpool defenders to
long kicks, as Sturridge is not the best forward to fight for long balls.
Additionally Liverpool’s attempt to dominate possession would fail by adopting
this style of play. To achieve this Carrick had to take up intelligent positioning.
So as soon as Mata or Young put pressure on the side defender Sakho or
Can, United’s defenders shifted in a form of chain reaction without loosing
balance or creating equality in numbers at the back. This was Carrick’s crucial
intervention. He sat in front of the back four and when there was need, he
dropped between the centre backs to retain numbers up and fill any potential
gap.

6. © Copyright by Athanasios Terzis 2015
When this wasn’t necessary to take place, as the winger of Liverpool dropped
into midfield, Carrick moved forward to mark him and put pressure in case
there was a pass directed towards him.

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United’s tactical adjustments were more effective as not only Liverpool couln’t
attack properly due to heavy pressure up front but also Carrick finded time on
the ball. Van Gaal’s team dominated possession and forced Liverpool into a
passive role. The wingers couldn’t make timing runs to close Carrick down
and they were forced to cover long distance in order to take a position close to
him. When Carrick was marked united finded a way to pass the ball to the free
fullback. Fellaini won every long ball towards his zone of responsibility and
Mata together with Young stayed high waiting for a gap between the side
defender and the wing back to be created. Liverpool most of the time
defended in a 5-4-1 formation and United players could easily reach the
penalty area.
Mata took the chance and scored by taking advantage his advanced position
and the space between Sakho and Moreno. United was 1-0 and continued
dictating the tempo.
Rodgers in an attempt to close Carrick down and stop United, he brought
Coutinho centraly (to be close to Carrick) and moved Sterling in a more

8. © Copyright by Athanasios Terzis 2015
advanced position. Now there was a 4 v 3 situation at the back. However
during the attacking phase the defenders switched to a three man defence.
The switch didn’t have a great impact as regards the form of the game as Van
Gaal’s team still had possession. However Lallana missed a scoring chance
that could change the fate of the game, after the assist from Sturridge.

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2nd
Half: Good defensive organization against Liverpool’s ten
men
Despite Rodgers’ intention to change things in the second half, Gerrard’s
quick sending off postponed it. Rogers switched into 4-3-2 with the intention to
create a 2 v 2 in the centre of defence and take advantage of it. At the same
time Moreno tried to take advantage of Mata’s advanced positions and made
several overlapping runs in order to create width, receive and make crosses.
However Manchester united players were well organized and defended with
many players behind the ball. Additionally they tried to move the ball towards
the fullbacks who had available space to take advantage of in order to dictate
the tempo. The second goal was crucial. Liverpool worked hard to get back,
they scored once but they couldn’t achieve anything better against a well
organized team that could score another one, but Rooney missed from the
penalty spot.

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Conclusion: The match’s fate was determined during the first half and in the
first minute of the second half. Van Gaal managed to beat Rodgers as
regards the tactical battle as his tricks proved to be more effective. Carrick’s
performance had very positive impact for United tactically, whereas Gerrard’s
sending off prevented Liverpool from getting back in the game. However
United was the better team and they deservedly won.