Liverpool win by gegenpressing. Gegenpress, to put simply, is the immediate attempt to win back possession after losing the ball, rather than falling back to regroup. Gegenpressing is a concept used widely around the football world, but Jurgen Klopp is a unique mastermind and added a single twist that sets Liverpool’s style apart. Instead of a familiar Pep Guardiola run squad (see Manchester City), where they attempt to quickly regain possession in order to retain possession, Klopp uses that quick turnover moment to spark an immediate offensive strike. For him, counter-pressing is the playmaker and creator, leaving the execution and finishing up to the talent on the pitch.
As Klopp explains his football philosophy, “The best moment to win the ball is immediately after your team just lost it. The opponent is still looking for orientation where to pass the ball. He will have taken his eyes off the game to make his tackle or interception and he will have expended energy. Both make him vulnerable.” (1)
This diagram demonstrates Klopp's gegenpress at his former club, Borussia Dortmund.
Besides gegenpressing, the next technical term to know is the "umschaltmoment", a German word that translates in English to “switching moment”. Already self-explanatory, the umschaltmoment is the exact point Klopp and Liverpool strive for. The moment their competition loses the ball and is no longer setup defensively. (2)
More technically, Klopp often fields a 4-2-3-1 lineup with wing play and width provided by fit and pacey fullbacks. (3) The name of the game is organized and relentless pressure, from the centre-back up to the forward. If just one member of the Liverpool eleven is not correct in his calculation of high-pressure positioning at the opportune moment, then the whole system becomes unstable. The opponent suddenly has an outlet and from there, open space to create and score. Gegenpressing is a dominating form of football, but you need fit and intelligent footballers to effectively implement this unyielding tactic.
This Saturday, May 26th at 2:45PM EDT, Liverpool will aim to compete with flawless gegenpressing as they face the widely talented Real Madrid in the Champions League Final. With the skill Real Madrid possess, Zidane (Madrid’s manager) simply does not need to implement a masterful gameplan. Ronaldo is your gameplan. Kroos is your gameplan. Modric is your gameplan.
Real Madrid combine wing play, with support from their fullbacks, with an attacking mindset that is heavy on the crosses. (4) Liverpool and Madrid are similar in that fashion, as they both require aggressive and fit wing players.
The CL Final will pit two offensive teams against each other. There will no doubt be chances for both sides, with the game likely needing the full 90 minutes to crown Europe’s champion.
To recap, come Saturday watch for specific moments of gegenpressing by Liverpool, witnesses the talent of Real Madrid showing itself in brilliant spurts, and enjoy an intense game between two of Europe’s finest.
Every Monday afternoon and Thursday evening an update on all things LFC will go live @liverpoolnews!
Sources:
https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/12/what-is-the-gegenpress-and-how-does-it-work.html
https://www.footballwhispers.com/blog/zinedine-zidane-tactics-real-madrid
Images/Gifs:
https://www.martiperarnau.com/differences-between-sacchis-klopps-and-guardiolas-counterpressing-concepts/ - Gegenpress at Dortmund
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/863356/Liverpool-Andy-Robertson-injury-Scotland - Andy Robertson
https://giphy.com/gifs/lfc-football-soccer-xUA7aR8nxuHSStG5BS - Quick goal off of a pressure-induced turnover