super storm

Can't afford to gamble

Goalkeeper Alisson, the defense is Robertson, Van Dijk, Matip and Arnold, the three midfielders are Wijnaldum, Fabinho and Henderson, and the front trident is Mane, Firmino and Salah.

This is Klopp's starting lineup for tonight.

When Yang Yang got the starting lineup, his first reaction was...

"Is this still the Klopp we are familiar with?" Yang Yang handed the list to Harvey Alonso with a wry smile, and turned to the tactical board behind him. In the starting list guessed above, the midfielder is Milner, not Wijnaldum.

The assistant coach also smiled helplessly, this time he really guessed wrong.

Milner is a very comprehensive player, a typical English midfielder, with both offensive and defensive skills, strong enthusiasm and tactical execution, rich experience, more stable passing, and few mistakes.

Both Yang Yang and Harvey Alonso have watched many of Liverpool's previous games. Milner mainly appeared in the left midfield position. In addition to the tasks of intercepting and passing the ball in the midfield, he also had an important task to fill in for the left back Robertson.

"From Wijnaldum to replace Milner in the starting lineup, there are basically only two possibilities. Either Klopp believes that our right wing cannot threaten their left wing, or he does not intend to let the left back advance too much." Harvey Alonso analyzed.

Before the game, many people analyzed that Liverpool and Ajax, the two teams that reached the Champions League final, have one very obvious thing in common, that is, both sides are very strong.

Liverpool has Robertson and Arnold, and Ajax has Tagliafico and Ashraf. Both wings have strong attack power and are also important weapons for the team's offensive on both wings.

Xavi Alonso's analysis is right, but there is only one answer, because Liverpool cannot be arrogant enough to think that the right flank formed by Ashraf and Sancho cannot threaten their left flank, so it can only be that Robertson will reduce the forward penetration.

"Liverpool's midfielders are typically both offensive and defensive, as is Wijnaldum, but he can hold the ball, turn around and get rid of it, he can drive the ball forward, and his running coverage and defensive capabilities are also very good. If there is no accident, Henderson and Wijnaldum are responsible for man-marking, Fabinho is responsible for zone defense, plus Firmino..."

Harvey Alonso didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was clear.

This is definitely the rhythm of high-pressure pressing!
Yang Yang also recognized Harvey Alonso's judgment, "Wjjnaldum is good at passing the ball behind him. Obviously, Klopp still expects us to press from a high position and wants to try to play behind us. Judging from Liverpool's starting three midfield configuration, the hardness is indeed very strong, but the control is weak."

Harvey Alonso listened silently, he knew that Yang Yang had roughly guessed Klopp's train of thought.

This cunning guy can always guess the opponent's strategy, which is probably related to his always watching a lot of opponent's intelligence and video before the game, as well as his personal super analysis ability.

You know, as a teammate, Harvey Alonso knows that Yang Yang will do a lot of analysis on his opponents before every game, which has run through his entire career. It is conceivable how terrible this ability is accumulated over time.

"To put it bluntly, Klopp still wants to be steady. He believes in his defense, but he doesn't take risks easily. In the opening stage, the two full-backs should reduce their forward penetration, and the midfield press will be very strong, especially against Frankie De Jong. I guess, he will definitely attack at the beginning!" Yang Yang analyzed with great certainty.

"So what do we do?" asked Javi Alonso.

Yang Yang closed his eyes, thought for a while, and sighed, "Klopp can't afford to bet, and neither can we!"

…………

…………

Amidst the overwhelming noise, the world-renowned UEFA Champions League final finally kicked off!
Liverpool, wearing a red jersey, took the lead.

I saw that within the center circle, Firmino directly sent the ball back to the defense line. The Liverpool midfielders who had been ambushing near the center line sprinted forward at the fastest speed, especially the left winger Mane.

Van Dijk made a long pass directly and sent the ball from the backcourt to the left side of the frontcourt with precision, wanting to find Mane.

Ashraf leaped high and headed back.

The ball was flying in the air, and the two teams fought back and forth between the center line and the 30-meter zone of Ajax, but the ball never landed, and it was still flying around in mid-air.

The game was fast-paced, with the ball changing hands back and forth.

In less than 30 seconds, behind Liverpool midfielder Henderson's pass, Mane sprinted forward at a very fast speed like a black lightning, chasing the ball towards the penalty area.

But Ashraf, the right back of Ajax who started almost at the same time, was also extremely fast. Although he was a little behind in the start, he came from behind in speed.

The two African players directly competed in speed at the beginning of the game, which made all the fans in the audience exclaim and was very enjoyable. After all, watching this kind of speed is quite visually impactful.

When Mane walked back, he shrugged helplessly at his teammates, looking a little depressed.

He is already the fastest and most explosive player in the Liverpool team, but I didn't expect that Ashraf's speed was not inferior to him in the first contest just now, but he even had a slight advantage.

Of course, to find out who is faster, it takes a race on the track, but judging from the sprint just now, Ashraf's speed is really very fast.

……

The first attack failed to create a threat, but Liverpool did not die down.

As Yang Yang expected before the game, Klopp's starting tactic was to attack.

This season, the biggest difference between Liverpool and the previous ones is their defense. They have won many games by shrinking, which has allowed them to achieve better results. Tonight, facing Ajax, Klopp is also unwilling to take risks. On the basis of stabilizing the defense, he will try to attack more actively.

And the way to attack is to hit behind.

Henderson and Wijnaldum are both good passers.

In contrast to Ajax.

This team, known for its opening attack, was uncharacteristically tonight. It did not take an active opening attack. It was more defensive in its own 30-meter area.

Yang Yang replaced Van der Beek in the starting lineup tonight and ambushed behind Jovic, but he kept reminding his teammates to slow down appropriately and be patient.

This made Klopp on the sidelines frowned uncontrollably.

……

"The midfielder presses forward again, and puts more pressure on the opponent!"

Klopp went to the sidelines and directed the team, signaling that they could go a little further.

One of the tasks of the Liverpool midfielder is to suppress the double midfielders of Frankie De Jong and Ndombele, as well as Mane, Firmino and Salah in front, all of which are specifically aimed at Ajax's midfield.

With the tactical execution and pressing ability of Liverpool's frontcourt players, Ajax fell into a passive position at the beginning of the game. The disadvantages on the scene were obvious. They were almost pressed by Liverpool in the half-court, but Klopp was still worried.

"It went so well!" Klopp shook his head.

He did not believe that Yang Yang would give up the initiative of the game so easily.

The reason why Ajax took the initiative to give in and show weakness at the beginning may not be that simple.

"He wants to take the initiative to shrink, slow down the rhythm, and use the disadvantages on the scene in exchange for the Ajax players to integrate into the game and adapt to the rhythm of the game." The first thing that came to Klopp's mind was this purpose.

This is the Champions League final.

Even though Liverpool has a slight advantage in strength and experience, when facing Ajax, Klopp did not dare to defend and gamble, so he did not dare to let the two full-backs boldly advance to participate in the attack.

So is Yang Yang.

Ajax is younger, and their players' mentality and game experience are not as good as Liverpool. Playing rashly and letting go of their hands and feet to press high will certainly make the game better, but the risk is too great.

In the Champions League final, for a team like Ajax, conceding the goal first is undoubtedly quite fatal.

How did Liverpool lose the Champions League final last season?
How did Karius get tricked by Yang Yang?Finally forced to have a psychological breakdown?
Klopp's memory is still fresh, and I believe Yang Yang is also very clear.

Thinking of this level, Klopp walked to the sideline again and gestured towards Henderson in the midfield, indicating that the team can press again and strengthen the pressing force in the frontcourt.

……

After Klopp's adjustment, Liverpool decisively increased the pressure of the trident in the frontcourt on Ajax's defense.

Yang Yang also felt the pressure, but he was still telling the Ajax players to be patient and calm.

In the opening seven and eight minutes, it was all Liverpool attacking, and Ajax didn't even have a decent counterattack. If Yang Yang hadn't taken the lead and pressed the players on the court, I am afraid that this group of young boys would have lost their composure.

But even so, Klopp's team is still increasing the pressure again and again.

Even in the 9th minute, Liverpool's three lines were all over the half, and the defense line was directly pressed to the outside of Ajax's 30-meter area, especially after Militao succeeded in stealing, Liverpool directly pressed to the bottom line.

Tagliafico was almost cornered, protecting the ball with his body, and was almost squeezed away by Salah.

The Liverpool winger frequently interfered behind him. After Tagliafico desperately blocked the opponent, he saw Frankie de Jong coming to meet him. Then he feinted a shot, knocked the ball with a heel, and passed the ball to Frankie de Jong.

Ajax stopped the ball in midfield and turned around. Under Liverpool's strict marking, he hurriedly sent a long kick to the frontcourt.

On the periphery of the 30-meter area, Jovic was ahead of Van Dijk and Matip, and stopped Frankie De Jong's long pass to Yang Yang who came in from the back row. After landing, he turned and sprinted forward.

Yang Yang passed the ball to the right without stopping and handed it to Sancho.

The England winger stopped the ball and started quickly, while Ashraf on the right sprinted along the right line at great speed.

(End of this chapter)