Variations Formation Rodgers
One of the highlights of the trip Liverpool this season is the variety of formations they use. Noted, there are 5 types of patterns that have been used Rodgers, ranging from 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 are often applied to the last season, until the new formations such as 3-5-2, 4-4-2, and 4-3-1-2.
Of the five strategies, only 4-4-2 are considered a total failure and never used again until the end of the season. This formation is only used 2 times, ie when the current win against Fulham and a draw against Aston Villa.
Who tinkers is actually influenced by many things, especially by the squad conditions and the availability of two main strikers, Suarez and Sturridge. At the start of the competition, the Uruguayan striker was suspended and Rodgers could only lose Sturridge. No doubt the 41-year-old coach to use a 4-2-3-1 formation in his first 5 games.
After Suarez back, Rodgers had to look for the right formation to be able to combine these two goal-hungry striker. He landed his choice at 3-5-2. The result is not bad, Liverpool won 3 wins from 4 matches by using this pattern.
After the formation of Rodgers changed after Sturridge back injury. Liverpool return to play with one striker. But this time Rodgers is more likely to play a 4-3-3 formation with Coutinho and Sterling as an attacking wing.
After missing seven games, Sturridge returned as Liverpool against Aston Villa. At that time, Rodgers played a 4-4-2 which failed miserably. Then, in the game against Everton, Rodgers back in a 4-3-3 formation with one between Sturridge and Suarez play more wide.
At the end of the competition, Rodgers then found a concoction that until the end of the season be the most appropriate formation to maximize the game Suarez and Sturridge up front, namely a 4-3-1-2 or 4-4-2 diamond is often called.
Gerrard As a Defensive Midfielder
But of course, a good explanation about the performance is not just an election Liverpool play formation. As explained in the first article, from the beginning was appointed as the coach of Liverpool, Rodgers much talked about 7 game zones. Any changes made Rodgers was always based on the division of the area.
Rodgers difficulty in choosing the right players to fill the zone 3 also began to find a bright spot. The captain Steven Gerrard was the one answer from Rodgers deadlock early in his term of this.
Gerrard has the ability to drain a ball and a good ability of the duel, the two initial conditions to fill this position. Liverpool attack would be deadly with Gerrard being in this position.
But Rodgers is not a reason since the beginning give it to the captain's position is due to the frequent habit of late fall after the attack. Gerrard also tend to be slow when I have to close the space. Thus the Liverpool defense will be weak if Gerrard is in this position.
To overcome the shortage of players numbered 8, Rodgers then put double shaft at a crucial zone. He combined well in attack Gerrard with Lucas Leiva who is an expert in defense. This means that the expense side of the attack, because zone 3, which should only be filled in one player, occupied by two people and players in zone 5 is reduced (read: Seven Issues Zone Brendan Rodgers).
However, it is felt still better because Liverpool's attack and defense become more balanced.
That's why the average Liverpool goal at the start of the season is not too flashy. In the first 13 games, Liverpool scored only 25 goals, or an average of 1.9 goals / match. Although not the only factor, but reduced because of the attacking force must put more personnel in zone 3 is certainly influential.
But conditions change. Gerrard, who has been able to play its role well without the help of Lucas or Allen finished blessing for Rodgers. 41-year-old manager was then revoked permission for Gerrard to come forward attacking too much and give the task to keep the middle of the field.
This is demonstrated by the statistics, which touches the ball Gerrard area as well as data heat map. An example is the last Premier League match against Newcastle United (see chart below). Seen that Gerrard is rarely moved from the middle of the field.
The decline of data and activities receiving the pass touches from seasons 2012/2013 Gerrard was addressed to 2013/2014 increasingly rare that the captain was in the area of the opponent (see table below). Yes, Gerrard is more concentrated maintain its own defense and more rarely come up attack.
Evolution Raheem Sterling
Other changes were seen prominently from Liverpool this season is the evolution of Raheem Sterling. This then makes the strategy more perfect 4-4-2 diamond Rodgers.
In previous seasons, we only know Sterling as the next Aron Lennon could only run - and only God knows when it will stop. He is not projected to make a breakthrough visionary, let alone to be able to play a role player with the number 10 is very good.
Sterling ability to dribble and penetrate the opponent's defense it is not a secret anymore. During this time, while still in the wings, Sterling will more often poking from the side into the penalty box.
Simply put, it would be dangerous if Sterling's special ability is applied from the middle sector. By doing so, Sterling does not need to rotate it first, but direct stab to the heart of the opponent's defense.
But move a player from the wings to the center is not a simple thing. Moreover, the condition of the middle area of the field will be more dense than in the wings. Break through the blind in the middle will only make Sterling a month thereafter Premier League defenders uncompromising.
Rodgers had to eliminate the habit of Sterling is too monotonous break through. Sterling must play like a number 10 player who knows when to dribble, when to pass, and when to stop or return the ball to the back.
Rodgers was lucky to have two strikers who are always actively looking for the ball. Sturridge Suarez and often do move to the side and open space on Sterling to penetrate the defense. By doing so, partly defenders will be hooked by the second movement of the striker. This is what makes Sterling work becomes easier.
Assist Sterling to Suarez against Norwich is one of the tangible results of development.
In this position (see picture below), Sterling in the past will be seen in the wide space behind the defender and perform dribbling. By performing this action, the young English players that could have resulted in a goal since his dribbling ability is not arbitrary. However, in that game, Sterling prefer sending a beautiful curved ball that can be executed directly Suarez easily.
Behind all these developments and the Liverpool players, there is one improvement that can not be missed, namely to increase the ability of Rodgers as a coach. The architect team was now not just a manager who has a stiff concoction strategy, but has a wide range of alternatives with flexible applied in the field.
Rodgers is not even always impose his philosophy that attack through short pass from foot to foot. Even a quick counter-attack involving only five touch had been frequently applied to this season.
Records show that Liverpool last season, or Swansea two years ago, only able to create a counter-attack goal by the scheme. In this season, this number increased dramatically to 9 times. Similarly, the more deadly train to Liverpool via the scheme dead balls, one thing that failed to do the previous Liverpool managers.
Although Rodgers still failed to bring Liverpool to be the Premier League champions, especially in matters of defense are still very often leaked, but what Rodgers built in the first two seasons of this certainly can not be underestimated.
Building a team is not going to be done in a jiffy. Liverpool Liverpool today not already perfect, Rodgers still has some homework to be done to live next season. But, the maxim is not to say that Rome was not built in one night?
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