Video Analysis: How Liverpool’s Scrappy 2-1 Win Over Wolves Unfolded | OneFootball

Liverpool vs Wolves: Tactical Analysis and Key Insights

Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Wolves was far from a perfect display, yet it provided vital insights into Arne Slot’s team dynamics. Despite the scrappy nature of the victory, Slot’s Liverpool managed to pull through, showcasing the resilience of a side that aspires to clinch the Premier League title. Panenka LFC’s post-match video dove deep into both the positives and the areas needing improvement, drawing attention to some of the significant tactical nuances that shaped the encounter.

Role of Rotation and Team Selection

After rotating heavily during the EFL Cup tie against West Ham, Slot reverted to his first-choice eleven against Wolves. As the podcast mentioned, “Allison fully recovered, Darwin Nunez out due to illness, and the familiar backline of Robertson, Van Dijk, Konate and Trent Alexander-Arnold returned.” This consistency in selection was essential, but the team’s struggles in both possession and progression highlighted deeper concerns. As Panenka pointed out, “It’s safe to say that the Reds started the game poorly, just like against Bournemouth and AC Milan.”

Liverpool’s typical 4-1 buildup structure, with Ryan Gravenberch playing as the lone number six, encountered issues as Wolves deployed a 4-2-3-1 narrow block. This caused Liverpool problems, with the podcast stating, “They created a numerical overload in the middle of the park, denying us the possibility to progress the ball centrally.”

Wolves’ Pressing and Liverpool’s Response

Wolves’ compact defensive structure forced Liverpool to bypass the midfield, with the wide areas becoming the focal points of Liverpool’s attacking play. Panenka LFC’s analysis emphasised this tactical shift: “This is why Liverpool took a more direct approach, launching long balls towards Diaz and Salah to bypass Wolves’ pressing line.”

Despite this adaptation, Liverpool remained vulnerable on the right-hand side due to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s forward positioning. As the analysis noted, “Wolves had space once they turned the ball over in the exact same sequence when Trent pushed forward, and if it wasn’t for Konate closing down quickly, it would have been a dangerous situation.”

The Importance of Konate and Set-Pieces

Konate’s performance was a mixed bag, but his contribution was undeniable. While he was partially at fault for the Wolves goal, he redeemed himself with an overall solid display. “Konate finished the game with an 88% pass completion rate, winning four out of his six aerial duels,” the podcast detailed. Moreover, his critical role in Liverpool’s first goal just before halftime, a header from a well-delivered cross, was pivotal in shifting momentum.

Panenka highlighted the significance of Konate’s goal, mentioning that it “wouldn’t have been possible if not for Diego Jota, who brought back the winger version of himself with a great assist.”

Liverpool’s Pressing Struggles

One of the podcast’s key talking points was Liverpool’s pressing inconsistencies, particularly in the first half. Wolves found it surprisingly easy to bypass Liverpool’s press, with the analysis stating, “Wolves found it easy to play through our pressing lines, an odd statement when talking about Liverpool, right?” This vulnerability allowed Wolves to break through Liverpool’s initial press, causing them to create chances and exploit space, especially on Liverpool’s right flank.

The podcast questioned whether Salah’s defensive work rate was starting to wane, commenting, “We’re not saying that Mo Salah is solely responsible, but his movement and positioning at times gave Wolves players opportunities to break our structure and progress the ball higher.”

The Significance of Winning Ugly

Despite all the issues raised, the panel remained optimistic, believing that grinding out wins like this is a hallmark of champions. “It was a scrappy win, but it sheds light on issues Slot needs to address sooner rather than later,” Panenka concluded. The inability to control the middle of the park and the vulnerability to transitions were highlighted as areas needing urgent improvement.

Looking ahead, with crucial matches against Bologna and Crystal Palace on the horizon, Slot faces critical decisions regarding squad rotation and tactical adjustments. As the Panenka team put it, “The next few matches will show whether Slot can resolve these weaknesses before they become costly.”

Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Wolves was a mixed performance, blending resilience with tactical imperfections. Panenka LFC’s analysis provided valuable insights into the evolving nature of Slot’s Liverpool side. While there are areas for concern, especially around pressing and midfield control, there’s also a reason for optimism. Winning ugly is often the mark of a team capable of challenging for titles, and Slot’s Liverpool might just have that crucial trait.