Poch’s best chance is to play five at back
WHEN Liverpool went to Tottenham earlier in the season, Mauricio Pochettino played with a four-man defence and got battered by Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mo Salah.
It is logical to use a back four against Liverpool’s front three as, in theory, it gives you an extra defender.
But at Wembley in September, Tottenham’s full-backs pushed on too high, too early. Salah and Mane also pushed high and wide so when Spurs lost the ball, their full-backs could not retreat into position quickly enough. It was a great tactical move from Jurgen Klopp. Spurs could match them and play 4-3-3 but, this time, tell the fullbacks to stay at home.
Players quite like that. It is tactically straight-forward. It comes down to the individual battles: can Kieran Trippier keep Mane in check? Can Virgil van Dijk look after Harry Kane? Can Jordan Henderson control Christian Eriksen?
If that happens, I think Liverpool would still win. The other option is for Pochettino to play three at the back. He could then push his wing-backs on again and be left with three on three if Liverpool turn over possession quickly. That is still high-risk. Or Pochettino could tell Trippier and Danny Rose to stay further back to create a five in defence.
That will be harder for Liverpool to break down but it will become more difficult for Tottenham to attack. It is about balancing that risk.
I think this is what Pochettino will do. Be cautious, stay in the game. Liverpool know they have to win it. Tottenham know that means Liverpool will throw everything at them. The longer the game goes on, if Liverpool have not scored, they could become edgy and give Spurs the chance to pounce.