Liverpool face Manchester City at Anfield on Super Sunday
Friday 5 October 2018 06:05, UK
Liverpool and Manchester City both play with a front three, but how do they operate differently? Danny Higginbotham offers his tactical insight ahead of the Super Sunday's clash on Sky Sports Premier League.
Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane have started all seven Premier League games up front for Liverpool so far this season, scoring nine goals between them.
Meanwhile, City's front three is more interchangeable, with one of Sergio Aguero or Gabriel Jesus the focal point up top, while Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane are often favoured out wide ahead of Riyad Mahrez.
Opposing managers Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola will focus heavily on quelling the other's attack, but that is easier said than done. Here, Higginbotham outlines the challenges facing both defences at Anfield on Super Sunday.
"It's a similar system, played in very different ways," Higginbotham told Sky Sports News, with Liverpool relying on the movement of both Firmino and Naby Keita - who is expected to be fit for Sunday's match - to create space for Salah and Mane in behind.
"Keita and Firmino's movement is excellent, especially off the ball in Firmino's case.
"We talk about Firmino being a very selfless player, and we know Salah and Mane start out wide and like to drive inside. Firmino drops deep continuously because he tries to drag centre-backs with him into areas they don't want to go into.
"That then leaves room for Salah or Mane to have one-v-one situations, while Keita has reversed roles with Firmino.
"Because Firmino drops back, the space is there for Keita to get into. All of a sudden Keita is the one going through the middle and Firmino often ends up receiving the ball later in the play.
"Also, we talk about the wingers, but Liverpool's wing-backs are important as well. Against West Ham (below), Mane drags Ryan Fredericks inside and the space is then created for Andrew Robertson to get into.
"It's two phases of play, and it ends up with Salah putting the ball in the back of the net.
"It's the movement off the ball that creates space for the other players, they're outstanding to watch. That's one way of playing with a 4-3-3."
Meanwhile, Higginbotham highlighted how opposition full-backs often come unstuck against City, as they are faced with a number off-the-ball runs to deal with.
The key for City, Higginbotham says, is to make space for midfield duo Bernardo and David Silva.
Higginbotham added: "When you look at the average position of where they play, the wide players will actually play quite wide. That then creates space for Bernardo and David Silva.
"Space is created between Aguero and one of the wingers, and creates real problems for the opposition full-back.
"The problem for the full-back is, which player does he go towards? If he goes out wide, he leaves space for David Silva. If he stays where he is, it gives space to the winger. Once again it's players off the ball creating space.
"It's so difficult to play against because you've got runners from all over the place. And you have the insurance of Fernandinho too.
"As a full-back, it's difficult either way. You can go out to the winger, but then it gives space to the two Silvas. Or if you come in narrow to stop those runs, all of a sudden there's space out wide.
"Once again, it's runners off the ball. Two fascinating teams with players making space for their team-mates because of unselfish runs."
