Liverpool 2 Real Madrid 5: Champions League tactical analysis

Reigning European champions Real Madrid produced an astonishing comeback at Anfield to take full control of this Champions League round-of-16 tie. In a rerun of last season's final, which Real won 1-0 in Paris, Liverpool went ahead early on through goals from Darwin Núñez and Mo Salah, and appeared on course to get revenge over the Spanish giants. However, the away side hit back in emphatic style, scoring five times over the course of 46 minutes, with Vinícius Júnior, Éder Militão and Karim Benzema on the scoresheet. The only saving grace on a sobering night for Liverpool is that the away goals rule is no longer in effect. Even with that rule change, and their history in overturning big first-leg deficits to Spanish opposition, this tie is more than likely over. 

“I think Carlo [Ancelotti] thinks the tie is over and I think it as well in the moment,” said Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp. “But in three weeks, or the closer you get to the game, the bigger our chances become. Tonight [it was] 5-2 and everyone saw they are pretty good in counter-attacking, and we have to go there and take some risks to score three goals. That could be tricky. It is not even in my mind. We will go there and try to win the game. I don’t know if it is possible, but we will see.”

In possession: liverpool

Attacking shape

Liverpool were set up by Jürgen Klopp in their usual 4-3-3 shape, with fluid movements on the right contributing to a strong start. The hosts’ left side was much more consistent in how the players were positioned, with Darwin Núñez attacking infield as centre-forward Cody Gakpo dropped (below). Andy Robertson then provided the width, and left-sided number eight Stefan Bajcetic dropped alongside Fabinho to form a double pivot or moved left to cover for Robertson. Liverpool’s positive start also came from their high press, as they put pressure on Real’s back line and goalkeeper from the off. Their second goal came from Mo Salah pressing Thibaut Courtois high.

Right side

In the first half, Liverpool caused Real problems down their right, with their rotations into the inside channel exploiting Luka Modric’s high position. This put left-back David Alaba, and then his replacement Nacho, under consistent pressure (below). Vinícius Júnior was also forced to drop back deeper than he may have wished from the left wing, which meant he was far less of an attacking threat on transition. Liverpool repeatedly found ways to progress through this side; their first goal came after a regain in their own half and counter-attack down the right.

Improved Real block

The away side settled into a much improved mid-block in the second half, which helped them nullify Liverpool’s threat through the right inside channel. Individuals improved how well they timed when they jumped out and press, and in doing so they managed to forced Liverpool back towards their own goal when they were attempting to play into midfield. Vinícius jumped out to press, with Modric and Fede Valverde swapping sides; the latter was more able to track Liverpool’s rotations on their right. Eduardo Camavinga moved from side to side to cover ahead of the full-backs, with centre-back Antonio Rüdiger much more aggressive with his positioning, ready to jump into midfield to make an attempt to win the ball (below).

Changes to salvage something

Klopp made several changes in the second half to try and salvage a result, but Madrid simply sat in a compact block with their midfield line dropping deeper. The unit of five in midfield covered the central spaces well (below), and the hosts’ central midfielders struggled to penetrate and find Roberto Firmino, who had come on up front. Therefore, Liverpool were forced to play around their opponents. They got into some decent positions to cross, particularly through their full-backs advancing – but Real dealt with all of these well and saw out a resounding result.

In possession: Real Madrid

Targeting the wide areas

Real Madrid operated in a 4-3-3 shape, with Luka Modric initially dropping short to help build through Liverpool’s high press. Right-sided number eight Fede Valverde then moved higher, with the width provided by wingers Vinícius and Rodrygo. Once Real settled into established periods of possession, though, their central midfield reorganised to attack with two permanent number eights in Modric and Valverde. When they moved the ball wide, the winger and full-back teamed up to attack their opposing full-back (below). Vinícius scored a superb goal after combining and cutting inside from his wide left position. That strike served as the catalyst for an impressive comeback.

Confidence to exploit the inside channels

Once Real’s central midfielders took control of the game and established more consistent periods of possession, they pushed Liverpool’s 4-1-4-1 block deeper and deeper, which in turn limited the home side’s transitions. Real’s front five grew in confidence as the game went on, and they looked to get into the spaces in the inside channels more and more. Benzema’s movements were often just used as a decoy, but he helped create bigger pockets of space between Liverpool’s lines for the Real Madrid wingers to receive and combine with the closest number eight (below). Modric stayed higher to break lines centrally; his positioning was crucial to the momentum Real gathered.

Combinations around Benzema

Real got a third goal in the 47th minute, with Éder Militão scoring a header from a free-kick. Scoring so early in the second half gave the visitors even more confidence. Benzema moved into the inside channels more frequently to receive between the lines and find a winger, before then looking to get into goalscoring positions. Right-back Dani Carvajal’s support close to Rodrygo helped Benzema on that flank (below), and Valverde moved to the left to work with Vinícius. These combinations, along with a base of support from Modric and Camavinga, helped peg Liverpool back.

Transitional attacks

Ultimately, it was Ancelotti’s side who adapted best in-game, as they kept the ball well but also retained a significant threat in transition. They also pressed high at times, but knew when to step off and form a more compact block to protect central areas. The game, and quite possibly the tie, was put to bed after Benzema withdrew slightly to allow Vinícius the licence to stay higher and threaten in behind (below). Right winger Rodrygo and at least one of Real’s central midfielders also broke forward when they had the opportunity, with Benzema scoring his second and Real’s fifth after Modric won the ball in midfield. It was an impressive comeback for the away side, which puts them very much in the driving seat for the return leg.

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