#LIVLEE: HOT OFF THE PRESS

Any loyal fan of Leeds United would tell you he/she has seen everything football and their club has to offer in recent decades. One of the truly great clubs of English football and the only one representing Yorkshire, Leeds have had their ups and downs.

They have been on top and competed at the highest level in Europe and yet they' have been relegated and gambled with bankruptcy at one point. A far cry from the glory days. And now, 16 years after they relegated, the club are back in the big time and facing arguably the most complete team in Europe (Bayern withstanding).

THE DEFENDING CHAMPIONS (LIVERPOOL FC)

In recent seasons, Liverpool have gradually become a side that is less exciting to watch, hard to beat and very clinical in their finish. There is a sense of ruthlessness in their gameplay.

The front 3 is potent and fluid, whilst the midfield is industrious but efficient. Their full backs are proficient defensively and the highest chance creators relative to their position in Europe. Their central defence led by man mountain VVD combines power, pace and high defensive IQ. Credit for constructing this tactical behemoth goes to one man… Jurgen Klopp.

MASTERY OF THE TRANSFER MARKET

Jurgen Klopp is a man with a very distinct reputation. His Gegenpressing philosophy involves counter pressing the opponents into making errors allowing his attackers converting a quick transition into the goal scoring opportunity.

In order fulfil that premise, Liverpool have historically bought smartly and gradually in the transfer window – happy to take one step back to take two steps forward. Many players have been recruited (many of whom brought in January) and then sold off at higher prices up and until the right mix was obtained.

TACTICAL SET UP: GEGENPRESSJNG AND HEAVY METAL FOOTBALL

Klopp’s counter pressing system involves stealing possession within the opponent’s half to allow a quicker transition. Once they have the ball they do not keep possession for too long as Klopp's focus is usually about starting and finishing a move in quick fashion. It is worth noting that Liverpool’s approach is less ‘heavy metal’ than it used to be to avoid long-term fatigue.

Klopp’s tenure has predominantly seen the deployment of a 4-3-3 system. Whilst his 3 midfielders are workmanlike, his front 3 possess genuine world class pedigree - Salah, Mane and Firmino have combined for a total of 250 goals in all completions. Firmino famously features in a false #9 role while Mane and Salah seek to moving outwards to the channels or inwards to goal.

Yet the celebrated trio are not the only sources of goal creation. Liverpool have the best pair of full backs in the English Premier league. Both Alexander Arnold and Andrew Robertson produced a scintillating combined 34 assists since the start of 2018-19 campaign and are already considered fantasy football legends.

BACK FROM THE DEAD (LEEDS UNITED)

When Andrea Radrizzani took over 100% ownership of Leeds united in 2017, it was a start of a new chapter in the clubs history. Radrizzani was a man with ambitions. He wanted the bring back the winning culture to his club and in doing so he made backroom changes to allow a smooth transition.

In came Victor Orta as director of football, Ivan Bravo as Director of Strategy and Angus Kinnear as Chief Executive. The main aim was to bring in young talents and future stars. Leeds were aiming for the top.

After a couple of seasons that had a mix of near misses and mediocrity, Argentine manager Marcelo Bielsa was named by Radrizzani as the club's new head coach in 2018. It would not be an exaggeration to say that bringing in the Argentine coach has been the biggest turning point for the club.

MARCELO 'EL LOCO' BIELSA: THE FUNDAMENTALIST

Marcelo Bielsa is an enigmatic personality. He's an introvert that does not believe in giving exclusive interviews (a principle that is followed by his disciples most notably Pep Guardiola) stating every journalist should have an equal chance of gathering information.

He also loves discussing tactics. He has what many consider as the biggest library of football which includes videos, literature and technical material. He has followers all around the globe, some have worked with him, while others have learned from afar. They consider themselves his disciples.

But above all, Bielsa is a a fundamentalist. He believes in principles. Whether in the form of players cleaning the stands to understand how the average worker earns for a living, his apartment which was kept at walking distance from the training facility or most famously when he ordered his players to allow Aston Villa to score (earning him and his Leeds side the FIFA fair play award).

Whilst Bielsa has won league titles in Argentina, the Olympic gold with the national side but he ultimately has not win anything in Europe. His disciples argue that success for Bielsa has a rather different definition and dimension. But was hiring him a gamble?

Theoretically perhaps but the results speak for themselves. Bielsa is an astute tactician with a mix of resilience and rigidity which seeks to leave nothing to chance. He’s an uber professional who likes details - his work involves tactical scenarios with players separately and build up patterns that are created keeping the upcoming games in perspective.

TACTICAL SET UP: 3-3-3-1 AND VERTICALITY

Many pundits consider Bielsa to be the father of modern progressive attacking football. Almost every team in the world has had one or two tactical shifts that come from Bielsa's fundamental philosophy. His disciples have followed in his footsteps and added a touch of their own flavor to the basics but the overall concept remains the same.

At Leeds, Bielsa’s most common tactical system has been the 4-3-3. The biggest shift was to move Kalvin Phillips to a central midfield sweeper role sitting in front of the defense. The player has proven to be revelation. Another tactical twist has been the focus on wing play. Leeds tend to expand the field as much as possible.

The hallmark of Bielsa's system has been the pressing and verticality. Pressing can vary depending on the opponents. Generally, Bielsa's Leeds "press to steal" the ball in key zones thereby creating lightning quick transitions. They do counter press at times too.

Bielsa has invented "Verticality". A system of quick vertical passes that result in a more aggressive movement both on and off the ball. In attack, Bielsa's teams favor the 3-3-1-3/3-3-3-1 system (noted in his second season in charge of Leeds). In all of their games, Leeds United have recorded a combined run rate that has always been more than their opposition.

THE PYTHAGORAS PERSPECTIVE

Liverpool FC: Alison, J. Matip, Virgil Van Dyke, Alexander Trent, Andy Robertson, G. Winaldum, Fabinho, J. Henderson, R. Firmino, M. Salah, Sadio Mane

Leeds United: I. Meslier, Liam Cooper, Ben White, L. Ayling, S. Dallas, T. Roberts, Kalvin Phillips, M Klich, Helder Costa, J. Harrison, Rodrigo M.

Prediction: Even though at Liverpool are at Anfield, Leeds might shade the possession stats since Klopp favors quick patterns and finishes. With Kalvin Phillips and Klich controlling the midfield Liverpool will rely on Salah and Mane exploiting the space in behind the flanks. Liverpool have the better quality no doubt and they should score first.

But Leeds have the element of surprise, we might see a quick comeback. This has all the means for turning into a fist for fist boxing contest. As good as the full backs have been for Liverpool, both Andy Robertson and Alexander Trent are likely to be more cautious as Bielsa will focus on creating overloads in the wings.

New signing Rodrigo will have a say in proceedings and considering this being both clubs opening fixture, the coaches will be happy to take a point. The Doc is going for a goal scoring draw.

WRITTEN BY

DR AMER WASEEM