How Liverpool Will Setup Under Xabi Alonso.

Summary

The video analyzes how manager Xabi Alonso's tactics at Bayer Leverkusen could translate if he becomes the next Liverpool manager. It looks at how Alonso implements a unique 3-4-2-1 formation and the specific roles of players like wingbacks and inverted forwards. The video questions how current Liverpool players like Alexander-Arnold and Salah would fit into Alonso's system and if their profiles match what he needs. Overall, it provides an intriguing analysis of how Alonso's approach differs from Klopp's and the potential changes needed at Liverpool to facilitate his progressive tactics.

Takeaways

• 😲 Jaap Stam could bring unprecedented change to Liverpool's playstyle and squad
• 👀 The 3-4-2-1 formation is key to Jaap Stam's tactics, but it's flexible in attack
• ⚽️ Positional play and dominating one-on-one duels all over the pitch leads to big scorelines
• 🧐 The current Liverpool squad may lack the ideal profiles at CB and LB for Stam's system
• ✅ Van Dijk, Fabinho and Elliott seem well-suited to key roles in midfield and defense
• 🚨 Big question marks around whether Salah and Alexander-Arnold fit into Stam's tactical plan
• 🔍 Stam needs a target man striker like Victor Osimhen to bring others into play
• 👣 Overlapping wingback Jeremy Frimpong is critical in attack under Stam
• ❓ It's unclear if Salah would accept a creator role instead of being an outright goal scorer
• 🤔 Long term, Liverpool may need to transition from reliance on Salah as a focal point

Q & A

What formation does Xabi Alonso favor and how is it unique?

Alonso favors a 3-4-2-1 formation on paper, but in reality it plays more like a 3-5-2 with advanced wingbacks. This allows his team to dominate possession and overwhelm opponents with attacking overloads across the pitch.

How are the roles of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah different in Alonso's system compared to their current roles?

In Alonso's system, Alexander-Arnold would play a more inverted playmaker role while Salah's role would shift from being focused on scoring to being more of a creative facilitator in the half spaces.

What type of striker profile does Alonso prefer and who fits this mold at Liverpool?

Alonso prefers a big target man striker with pace, like Erling Haaland. At Liverpool, Darwin Nunez fits this profile well.

How do Alonso's fullbacks contribute to his attacking system?

Alonso's fullbacks push extremely high up the pitch, almost acting as wingers. This eliminates the need for traditional wingers and allows the attacking midfielders to occupy the half spaces instead.

What changes would Liverpool likely need to make in defense to facilitate Alonso's system?

Liverpool may need to sign a left-sided center back who is comfortable carrying the ball forward. Additionally, the left fullback role would need to be filled by someone more dynamic and aggressive than Robertson.

How are buildup and chance creation different in Alonso's tactics compared to Klopp's Gegenpressing?

While Klopp focuses on winning the ball high up and quick transitions, Alonso builds slowly from the back to pull opponents out of position before more direct balls into attack.

Could Salah thrive in a new role under Alonso or might he be sold?

While Salah could theoretically thrive as a creative #10 under Alonso, after years of scoring goals he may not embrace a reduced scoring role. This could lead Liverpool to transition towards new talents like Gakpo instead.

Why does the 3-4-2-1 formation help Alonso's team progress the ball against a high press?

The back 3 and advanced fullbacks create a box that helps play through the first line of pressure. There are also always midfield passing options that can then progress play upfield.

What Bundesliga players might Alonso want to bring with him to recreate his system at Liverpool?

Alonso could attempt to sign defensive midfielder Granit Xhaka and left wingback Mitchel Bakker, who play similar roles for Leverkusen as Alonso might want for Liverpool.

How quickly could Liverpool adapt to and succeed with Alonso's unique system and style of play?

As Liverpool is so aligned to Klopp's methods, it may take Alonso time to fully implement his tactics. But the squad fits fairly well, so could thrive under Alonso once his system clicks.

Outlines

00:00

😀 An analysis of how Jürgen Alonso's tactics at Bayer Leverkusen could be implemented at Liverpool.

This paragraph provides an overview of Jürgen Alonso and his tactical approach at Bayer Leverkusen. It notes Alonso's belief in a 3-4-2-1 formation and that he could bring major changes to Liverpool, especially regarding the fullbacks and center backs. There is excitement about bringing Alonso's style to Liverpool given Leverkusen's success.

05:02

😃 How Alonso's midfield roles could translate to Liverpool's current squad.

This paragraph focuses on how Alonso's midfield roles at Leverkusen could fit Liverpool's current squad. It suggests Thiago as the deep-lying playmaker and Henderson as the shuttler, similar to how Alonso uses Aránguiz and Palacios. There are questions around the suitability of Alexander-Arnold and Salah in Alonso's system.

10:04

😅 The potential impact on Liverpool's attack under Alonso.

This paragraph examines how Liverpool's attack could look under Alonso. It notes how Alonso uses narrow forwards focused on chance creation over scoring. There are questions around whether Salah would accept a different creative role and if Liverpool should move away from building around him. Darwin Nunez is seen as a good fit at striker for Alonso's system.

Keywords

💡Jürgen Alonzo

Jürgen Alonzo is the current manager of Bayer Leverkusen. He is speculated to become the next Liverpool manager after Jürgen Klopp. Alonzo is known for his tactical innovations, including the 3-4-2-1 formation that Leverkusen currently deploys. This formation, along with Alonzo's emphasis on positional play and one-on-one battles across the pitch, has brought great success at Leverkusen.

💡3-4-2-1 formation

The 3-4-2-1 is a tactical formation with 3 center-backs, 2 wingbacks, 2 central midfielders, 2 attacking midfielders/wingers, and 1 striker. This is the primary formation Alonzo uses at Leverkusen. It provides defensive stability but also attacking width and freedom for the advanced midfielders/wingers.

💡positional play

This refers to players maintaining control of specific areas of the pitch. It is a key part of Alonzo's tactics - players are tasked with dominating their direct opponent one-on-one all over the field. This gives Leverkusen control during builds up and prevents the opposition from advancing.

💡direct passing

Once the ball moves into the attacking third, Leverkusen will often use direct passes from defense to the forwards rather than slow build up play. This injects speed and verticality into their attacks.

💡half-spaces

The half-spaces are the channels between the center and the wings on the pitch. Leverkusen's advanced midfielders will often position themselves in the half-spaces to create passing options and confuse defenses. This helps facilitate chance creation.

💡wingbacks

The wingbacks (e.g. Jeremy Frong Pong and Alex Galdo) provide attacking width in Alonzo's 3-4-2-1 system. They have huge responsibility to run forward on the flanks as well as track back defensively. The heatmaps show their extremely high & wide positioning.

💡pressing

Pressing is a defensive strategy of aggressively pressuring the opponent's build-up play. Leverkusen let teams advance but then spring an intense team press to win the ball back. This prevents easy progression into Leverkusen's half.

💡inverted fullback

An inverted fullback is when a defender moves into the center of the pitch rather than hugging the touchline. Alex Galdo will often take up playmaking positions in midfield, acting as an additional creator.

💡chance creation

Chance creation refers to producing opportunities to score goals. The two advanced midfielders/wingers - Hoffman and Wirtz - focus on facilitating chances through combination play and taking up dangerous narrow positions between lines.

💡target man

The target man is the central striker, typically big and strong, who serves as a focal point for direct passes. Victor Boniface fits this mold perfectly. He provides an aerial threat and holes up the ball to bring his teammates into play in the final third.

Highlights

Jabbi Alonzo will likely be the next Liverpool manager and bring major changes in tactics and personnel

Alonzo favors a 3-4-2-1 formation that looks defensive on paper but is actually very attacking in practice

Liverpool may need to strengthen at center back to fit Alonzo's preference for a left-footed ball-playing CB

Alonzo's buildup play is unique, using the back three to bypass the press and progress the ball

Thiago and Gravenberch fit the midfield profiles that enable Alonzo's style of buildup and chance creation

There are big questions around whether Trent and Salah fit into Alonzo's tactical approach

Alonzo's fullbacks play very attacking roles, so new personnel may be needed on the left side

Trent could take on an inverted playmaking role similar to Galdo, Liverpool's left wing back

Alonzo's forwards stay centrally in the halfspaces to facilitate creativity rather than mainly score goals

Salah's goalscoring role would change to being more of a creative facilitator

Gakpo is a type of versatile forward who could thrive in Alonzo's system

Darwin Nunez fits the profile of the big, fast striker that is key to Alonzo's tactics

Implementing Alonzo's new system would require major tactical and personnel changes from Liverpool's current approach

There are questions around whether stars like Salah will adapt to very different roles

Alonzo could take Liverpool to exciting new heights or struggle to shift them from Klopp's proven methods

Transcripts

I believe jabbi Alonzo will be the next

Liverpool manager and I think he will

rip up everything at Liverpool and start

again I think there will be

unprecedented change at fullback the

center backs will play roles that they

may never have played before and some

positions that have become synonymous

under klopp could get left behind

completely so the excitement around Jai

Alonzo right now is through the roof

understandably so B Leverkusen are

killing it they are top of the

Bundesliga they have an unbeaten run

they have not lost the game that's what

unbeaten means and to put that in

perspective pep guardiola's 28 match

unbeaten run Is Still Remains the

longest ever unbeaten run and leverkus

are on their way to beating it right now

so does that mean that Liverpool will

get their hands on the new Pep Guardiola

well maybe but not for the reasons that

you think we're going to break down what

makes Alonzo so good and look at how

that relates to Liverpool piece by piece

because there may need to be some work

done although he is the most exciting

appointment it isn't a like for like but

I'll explain that so get comfy Alonzo is

a firm believer of the 3421 now some

spurs fans will be watching this

shuddering at the thought of a back

three although or excited because it's

Liverpool right from those con days but

this 3421 is only that on paper we're

going to show you how and why it

actually makes it kind of one of the

bravest and most aesthetically pleasing

systems on the planet right now that's

right the planet so goalkeeper wise

Allison I think is good to go he's

making it in the team well done Allison

technically he's good enough to play the

role that Alonzo wants which revolves

around playing it short and being brave

in possession buildup is one of the key

parts of Alonzo's approach but he does

it in such a way that makes him very

unique not only in the Bundesliga but

across Europe positional play is huge

for Alonzo with his players's task with

controlling their specific area of the

pitch and dominating their opponents

one-onone all over the pitch and it

results in some ludicrous score lines in

terms of the buildup the back three

as you can see here the three center

backs are dealt the task of handling the

first phase of possession the wide

center backs often mve as wide as

possible to make the pitch as big as

possible but this isn't the only reason

and we'll get on to that a little bit

later on but it's it's genius but the

center backs is where things start to

become interesting because in particular

hppy this one here on the left hand side

he's a center back but he also has

experience at left back and also has a

lot of pace now this profile is missing

from Liverpool's Center back group and

it could be an area that they need to

strengthen to facilitate the style of

play that Alonzo would want at Liverpool

because as we look to build out that

Alonzo blueprint in this Liverpool side

of course Van dijk comes in and he's

done this for the Netherlands he's been

brilliant in that Central role he would

be fantastic in that Central role canate

comes in as well but as we say on that

leftand side not totally sure what the

future is canate as I say fits the mold

really really well well but Quanza is he

good enough do you need to bring someone

in that's something to keep an eye on if

Alonzo gets the job will he bring H cppy

with him or will he be looking for

someone of a similar profile to come in

step in and be that I guess that Juran

Timber maybe on that left hand side that

Arsenal saw at the start of the season

now this next image could be perceived

as a bit of a problem when you're

playing a back three to some sort

traditionalist and can you spot the

problem well the problem is the

inability for the defender to play

straight in because if they do let's

change up the arrows here you've got

people ready to press you've got people

all over the place ready to bloody press

getting at them get

out see what I mean so the potential

problem is that the back three are

unable to find the center midfielders to

initiate that second phase of play

because you've got people ready to press

them but this is the difference that

you'll see with Alonzo side is that

actually it's a five against three and

so you can get a way around it whereas

opposed if you're playing a back four

you might have two center backs here and

here and then your fullbacks as you can

see a little bit wider obviously a lot

wider than you can see with the

screenshot and you'll be looking to work

out that way but then there might be

Defenders that be be able to deal with

those passing lanes and again if the

ball's going wide generally people are

okay with that but with leig you've got

a team that plays quite narrow as you

can see here all these players like to

play that narrow press and so with that

in mind you need an ability to get

through into the second phase and Alonzo

doesn't view that as a problem and

that's the whole point of these center

backs and ability to move along and

almost create that bit bit of a box to

get yourself through that first line by

having Hing cppy as that passing option

you will then see someone like Benjamin

cesco who will look to go and press but

that's not a problem because very

quickly you can then play the ball to

palus who is on his way wow and even if

you can't play that pass watch this

watch this are you watching you'll just

pass it back and then pass it through to

Jaa that way easy peasy so the opening

of the passing Lanes to palasio and Jac

is really important this is what Alonzo

wants he wants engagement he wants sit

to look like they're vulnerable but the

truth is that that's all part of the

plan and in relation to Liverpool I

think the profiles that suit Alonzo's

style of play the best I think are

grenberg just can't find him here he is

and as that six I think it's got to be

mallister for me I think it has to be

you know McAllister's Tage as a six it

makes him a great option for what has

become Granite jaa's role in the

Leverkusen team and I think this entails

being the receiver from the center back

and then being able to turn in

possession facilitate a direct ball to a

forward area and obviously graur could

be seen as the Palos in this side that

means he has a slightly more advanced

role when it comes to combining with the

left wing back but also taking up

positions outside of the box as well

when they attack and he's got the legs

to to get back and help but also to get

on as and work as well and these two I

think would be fantastic in that similar

role that we're seeing at Leverkusen at

the moment now there are big question

marks when it comes to this team and

those question marks are Trent and Salah

and I bet you're wondering where are

where where are the fullbacks Jim and

all of this because after all Trent is

often at the heart of buildup for

Liverpool and is used as a Si from time

to time to help facilitate play and then

if I showed you this FR pong's heat map

you'd probably think that you're looking

at a right winger and not only that an

incredibly attacking Winger with little

defensive responsibilities but you'd be

wrong this is Jeremy Fring pong's heat

map and what you see before you is one

of the reasons behind Le in success but

also one of the huge question marks

around Alonzo going to Liverpool look at

this little Scamp on his way isn't he

now if I zoom out you will see that once

the ball enters the second phase of play

the team will be somewhat Direct in how

they look to find the final third this

brings some pace and aggressiveness to

how they attack and is often a reason as

to why Alonzo isn't seen as inherently

Spanish in how he plays because there

are those sprinklings of German Football

every where you look and you can see

that from the pass here they are looking

for frong straight away and he is the

right back right back is on his bike

sharpish that ball being played directly

into frong and the ability to do this

facilitated by Fong's average position

eliminates that need for width to be

delivered by the Wingers because

essentially frong is doing that FR

pong's direct running and take on

abilities sees him effectively play as a

Winger but that wouldn't be possible

without the skills that he possesses and

that is a bit of a question mark when

you think about Trent maybe now when I

said it was going to get a bit crazy in

fullback this is what I meant now what

you see before you is Alex galdo in

possession yeah the B lusen left wing

back on paper that is his positioning is

incredibly different to frong now whilst

he can often be seen wide at times and

delivering the ball into the box at

times he also is given freedom to

operate in an inverted fashion and in

the final third meaning he effectively

becomes a a playmaker and his heat map

against merchin gladbach demonstrates

exactly this he is making a claim for

the signing of the Season across Europe

right now and I wouldn't be surprised if

Alonzo brought him with him as well

you're getting ten hog Vibes aren't you

I think this would be fine if you don't

like the whiff of ten hog then you may

look to do exactly what they do with

romaldo with who yeah Trent yeah so as

we look to sort of move across this

blusen side and how they set up and of

course there might be some tweaks along

the way but we can only work with what

we've got right now and move into that

Liverpool setup the problem you have

when it comes to the fullbacks is that

there is no one in this Liverpool team

that is truly like fro and certainly not

between Trent and Robertson who of

course have been wonderful for them but

you've got a new manager with new ideas

so for context frong averages around 50

touches per 90 whilst Trent averages

around 90 touches per game their styles

of play are completely different they're

both unbelievable at different things so

the easy fix here is that Trent plays in

a role similar to Grimaldo in which he

has responsibility out wide but also

acts as a Creator in the half spaces so

with Alexander Arnold in that role we

then find ourselves with Salah coming

and playing here should should we highl

him let's highlight I think Darwin Nunes

could well be that Central Striker

killing it right now Robertson over to

this side and sabage line in this left

half space and the question I really

want to focus on here is this man here

Robertson you know can Robertson do what

frong does some may think so but the

take on ability of frong is a part that

really sets him apart from others and it

unlocks that right hand side for

Leverkusen so if Liverpool look to

replicate this on their left I think

they need a new profile in there for me

the fullbacks are absolutely and

unequivocally important to this system

so they have to get it right from the

off and before people say that Trent

will play in Midfield I'm not so sure

that Alonzo would risk it as part of a

Midfield to from the off he might down

the line but I just don't think he would

do it straight away with the amount of

midfielders that are available and

especially the balance that you would

have with mallister and graen now for

the attack now again the profiles and

roles within the attack are completely

different to what Liverpool currently do

and it does beg a question and we'll

show you why in just a minute but

firstly let's focus on two players Jonas

Hoffman who's on the ball here no

naughty there and Florian vers who's

over here with his socks down pull them

up now they're not exactly what you

think when you think of forwards

Liverpool currently possessed now

despite being very advanced in their

positioning they often remain really

narrow and are seen as two sort of

floating tens meaning that their roles

are more centered around creativity and

chance creation rather than being solely

centered around scoring goals they're

more midfielders than forwards if if you

will but obviously it clearly works with

the pair routinely looking to enter the

half spaces you can see it here with

Hoffman he's in this little half space

here and that what that facilitates is

great creative numbers because it's

harmful for the opposition not as much

about them and this is a great example

because you're bringing in other players

into the arena a little bit but say

someone like frong you're creating an

option for those players by going into

those half spaces and because of this

they average extremely high creative

numbers but who does this for Li

Sabai in an attacking system there's

always going to be excitement and

Dominic shabai could be one of the

biggest beneficiaries when it comes to

that and Alonzo moving to Liverpool in

general because he would instantly be

thrusted into a more advanced position

most likely as the left-sided 10 here

and it's a position that he played for

leig previously but one of the biggest

question marks in all of this has to be

with Salah would accept this new role

you know with the elimination of Wingers

salah's new role as an inside 10 would

see his role move away from scoring as

many goals as possible to being a bit of

a facilitator and whilst his creative

numbers would Excel I think the question

remains if he sees himself as that type

of player or not and is that actually

the best you can do in terms of getting

the best out of him I think previously

when you think of someone like Trent one

thing that's great about him or one

thing that he has allowed with young

klopp's team is Runners he's always got

Runners and Salah always on his bike

Nunes always on his bike Robertson

sometimes on that other side as well but

obviously in a different system you've

got someone like um jot on that left

hand side or Diaz on that left hand side

ready to go and it it facilitates

Alexander Arnold does Salah want to be

that player who doesn't do that who

stays still and allows just Nunes to do

that and does that take away a little

bit from the Brilliance of Alexander

ronold time will tell strangely though

you have to think about life as much

after klopp as after Muhammad Salah look

I think he's got years in the bank but

do you continue to build around him or

do you start to look to move away from

him with all these exciting young

players inside and I think one player

that could absolutely Thrive under

Alonzo in a similar system if we do take

Salah out is Cody gakpo I think Cody

gakpo could really really thrive in that

area in terms of being able to get on

the ball being able to you know have

that interplay but also turn and drive

with the ball as well it's exactly what

he loves doing but I'm not saying get

rid of Salah I am not saying get rid of

Salah obviously the guy's a joke but

these are the question marks that will

come if and when Alonzo comes and lastly

we need to talk about the striker

position and that is a mantle that 6'4

in Victor Bonny face has taken to like a

duck to bloody water under Alonzo's

guideance Bon face is seen as a Target

man but also has exceptional pace and

think of harand essentially he's got

that similar profile now Alonzo has made

it abundantly clear that this is a must

for him within this system because it

allows for the floating tens to take up

these positions around the box but also

to have someone to look to and find in

the final third as well so in that

Striker position under Alonzo at

Liverpool Darwin Nunes fits the profile

for Alonzo in terms of size and pace and

whether that translates as well as

bonface is a question that I think

people are divided on one for the

comments for sure please do get involved

let me know how you feeling about this

team right now because there will be

moments it's going to take time to build

and to to to understand it as a group

because they are so aligned with klopp

and what he's done and if you want to

become clued up on exactly the benefits

of Alonzo and why there's not a single

manager in the world like him click on

this video where we break down Alonzo's

tactics but also what the key

ingredients have been to his success

away from the field