How Liverpool must play to beat the Ancelotti trap
Support Alexander-arnold against Vinicius
Despite the vehement protestations of Liverpool partisans, Trent Alexander-arnold is a defensive vulnerability. One only needs to look at the areas Liverpool’s opponents funnel attacks to see that he is highlighted as a pinch point. When Alexanderarnold is isolated in one-againstone situations, he struggles, and he is susceptible to diagonal passes over his head.
The defining match-up of the final could be Alexander-arnold against Vinicius Junior, although Liverpool will hope their right-back can influence the game offensively to render his defensive problems academic. Real Madrid’s winger is their main link to Karim Benzema, and is allowed by manager Carlo Ancelotti to “cheat” and remain high, poised for the counter-attack. The Brazilian has completed more dribbles than any player in this season’s Champions League with 78. Manchester City were so concerned with stopping him they fielded Kyle Walker with one healthy ankle.
Liverpool have to support Alexander-arnold and offer him safety in numbers, principally through Jordan Henderson, who spends much time in areas more familiar to a right-winger or right wing-back. Giving Alexander-arnold support inside will be critical.
Another tactic Jurgen Klopp could employ is to build attacks down the left – if Liverpool lose possession they can squeeze Real against the touchline and make it difficult to escape to Vinicius on the opposite side.
Fabinho screens Benzema
Benzema is one of the most dangerous forwards in Europe, but there is so much more to his game than penalty-box threat. He is adept at drop
ping between the lines, and either buying a foul or linking with his team-mates. His wide-ranging touch map in the quarter-final first leg against Chelsea demonstrates the challenge Liverpool will face.
Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate are more than a match for Benzema in a physical contest, so they can afford to get tight and squeeze the space between defence and midfield. It is critical Fabinho is fit and firing, too, to block passing lanes to Benzema and make Real’s midfielders turn away from finding their striker. A one in front, one behind approach would be ideal.
Bait Casemiro with Mane
Defensive midfielder Casemiro has committed 17 fouls in the Champions League this season but collected just three yellow cards, and is a master of the dark arts.
One of the tactical discoveries of Liverpool’s season post-christmas has been Sadio Mane playing in the role previously reserved for Roberto Firmino. Mane is not associated with one-touch play and wall passes like Firmino, but can receive the ball in dangerous areas and dribble through the gut of the opposition.
Mane drops into No10 positions so a Liverpool diamond midfield could outnumber Real’s four to three. Mane is also all too aware of where his elbows are in the challenges and, in addition to his dribbling ability, he could get Casemiro a booking early in the match. Get the upper hand against Casemiro and Liverpool’s midfield will enjoy more time on the ball.
Manage the game to cope with Real’s fresh legs
Ancelotti is not associated with tactical dogma or any particular scheme of play, but has played his in-game cards to perfection during this run to the final.
The midfield of Casemiro, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos is packed with technical quality but ageing, so Real have used Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde and forward Rodrygo to give them fresh impetus off the bench. Camavinga has been especially effective late in games.
With Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara suffering recent injuries, it is imperative that Klopp makes sure Liverpool sustain intensity in the middle third of the pitch. In-game changes are a strength of his, though, and Liverpool could have players such as Naby Keita and Harvey Elliott in reserve.