Liverpool make their return to Premier League action tonight with a neutral trip to Budapest to face RB Leipzig in their Round of 16 Champions League 1st leg tie – with the Reds set to face a big challenge against the German side.
Despite Liverpool becoming one of the most feared sides in Europe, they are often one dimensional and stick to a single formation and system – albeit it has worked for Jurgen Klopp and the squad over recent years. We have seen this season that when certain individuals and systems have to change for the Reds, they haven’t quite been at the top of their game.
However, our opponents tonight have been labeled as one of the most tactically flexible sides in the European competition by The Athletic’s Micahel Cox and Tom Worville, whose recent piece on RB Leipzig’s tactics has shown a real detailed insight into the capabilities of Julian Nagelsmann’s side, as cited by LFC Transfer Room on Twitter…
Leipzig are probably the most tactically flexible side left in this season’s competition, with Nagelsmann capable of deploying everything from a 4-3-3 to a 3-4-2-1. [@Worville / @Zonal_Marking – @TheAthleticUK] pic.twitter.com/MaV1dExKkH
— LFC Transfer Room (@LFCTransferRoom) February 15, 2021
The piece comes along with a fantastic graphic that LFCTransferRoom tweeted along with the information provided, which highlights the squad’s flexibility and versatility in regards to their chosen formations and tactics.
Nagelsmann is able to switch from anything between a back 4, and back 3, and even a 5 man midfield in a range of tactical setups.
When looking at their variety of results per formation on WhoScored, the German side is arguably better in a back three rather than a back four with them favouring a 3-4-2-1 which has won them win 4 games, 2 draws, and lose once.
Can Liverpool beat RB Leipzig tonight?
Yes
No
Not only are they flexible with their formations but their personnel is also flexible in positions, with much of their side able to switch wings regularly as well as operate in different systems, such as Angelino going between left-back to left-midfield, and players such as Dani Olmo – who has played in an incredible eight different positions so far this season across the whole of the attack and majority of midfield.
Liverpool will be facing the unknown against Leipzig tonight and it could be a real coup if the Reds manage to overcome the tactically brilliant Nagelsmann and his men.
What do you think Liverpool fans, are you excited for the game tonight? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section down below…