Jurgen Klopp’s playing style is famous and revered in equal measure.
Not many coaches have a definitive style which others around the world look to directly imitate, such is it’s effectiveness.
But Klopp’s counter-press, the English for gegenpress, is known by all – although very few can counter it – as proven by Liverpool’s start to the Premier League campaign.
Klopp’s team look to win back the ball as a unit, closing off passing opportunities, restricting opposition time in possession – before quickly turning defence into attack – hopefully as high up the pitch as possible.
SEE MORE:
Likely Liverpool XI v Southampton with Adam Lallana ruled out
But like any tactical plan, sometimes it can go wrong – such is football and such is life.
“The longer we have the ball, the less can happen against you. Then you lose it and you need to get it back, I thought it’s a good idea to get it back immediately, because it makes life easier,” the boss told Goal.
“That is why we think counter-pressing is really important, but it doesn’t work all the time, so then you have to defend in a different way.
“That’s how football works – you close one hole, unfortunately you open another one. It never ends, it never ends!
“I was never part of the perfect game – I never saw it. It’s always about handling the problems the game gives you in specific moments, and to try and prepare for them.
“The problem is there are a lot of good teams out there, who want to win the games, to collect the points, to climb up the table and to fight for a specific position.
“That’s what we are working to do as well and along the way, you have so many different things to do, to play different teams with different types of plans.
“Nobody is born saying they’re a real competitor, you get it on the way as you grow up, and we want to be a real competitor together in the Liverpool shirt.”
In just one summer, it seems like Klopp has managed to forge a squad which perfectly understands his tactical demands. He has a ball-playing keeper in Loris Karius, a ball-playing centre-half in Joel Matip, unbelievable pace and counter-attacking ability in Sadio Mane – and coolness in possession and transition in Gini Wijnaldum.
Currently, we’re top of the table and will look to maintain that with a Saturday victory over Southampton, which is no mean feat. We’ll be without the excellent Adam Lallana, but hope to have enough without him to get through. Last term, Mane put us to the sword at St. Mary’s – but this time – he’s on our side!