Inside Liverpool’s 2022-23 Struggles: A Deep Dive into Tactical Issues

In-Depth Analysis: Liverpool’s Tactical Challenges in the 2022-23 Premier League Season

Liverpool’s 2022-23 Premier League season kicked off with high expectations, but reality has proven more challenging. While memorable wins, such as the 9-0 demolition of Bournemouth and a solid defensive display against Manchester City, showed flashes of their potential, inconsistency has plagued Jürgen Klopp’s side. As Arsenal soar under Mikel Arteta and Manchester United and Chelsea continue to improve, Liverpool face tactical hurdles in the race for the top four. This article takes a closer look at the tactics and structural issues behind Liverpool’s struggles, highlighting areas for improvement as the season unfolds.

Pressing Patterns and Defensive Fragility

Klopp’s Liverpool has long been respected for its relentless pressing—the famed “heavy metal football” that leveraged energetic players like Gini Wijnaldum and Sadio Mané. This intensity was central to their success, leading the league in both tackle and pressure metrics during the previous season. However, a noticeable drop-off in pressing efficiency has left Liverpool vulnerable, especially down the right flank.

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s advanced positioning is often exploited by opposition attackers, particularly since Liverpool increasingly build down that right side (accounting for 39% of attacks this season). The young full-back frequently receives criticism for leaving space behind, yet the root of the problem lies deeper. When full-backs step forward to press, they expose gaps that require quick coverage from teammates—a structural concern rather than merely individual errors.

This systemic vulnerability became glaring during the 4-1 defeat at Napoli, where Alexander-Arnold’s advanced role forced centre-back Joe Gomez into frequent wide duels, highlighting how Liverpool’s pressing shape and coverage can unravel under pressure. Aging legs in midfield and the transition to a two-man engine room have only made it harder to recover ground swiftly.

Statistical Trends: Pressing and Possession Battles

Comparing current season statistics to last year’s highlights the tactical setback:

The effects are clear: Liverpool’s once-imposing press and territorial dominance are slipping, especially as the midfield appears less robust after Mané’s departure and the shift to a double pivot.

Full-Backs and Issues in Transition Play

Liverpool’s attacking system relies on full-backs pushing high and wide to stretch defenses and deliver crosses. While this remains a strength, it is also a primary source of defensive risk. When Alexander-Arnold and his left-sided counterpart (often Kostas Tsimikas or Andy Robertson) surge forward, Liverpool’s central defensive structure can be exposed—especially if anchor midfielder Fabinho is bypassed.

Quick counter-attacks from teams like Crystal Palace, Fulham, and Arsenal have repeatedly exploited Liverpool’s weakened rest-defense. For example, Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka capitalized on this very pattern in their 3-2 win, finding space created by the full-back’s absence and midfielders being drawn out of position.

These defensive issues have led to scenarios where centre-backs are left isolated in wide spaces or exposed to direct runs from opposing attackers.

Energy Levels and Squad Evolution

The compressed schedule and the aging core of Liverpool’s squad have contributed to declining intensity. Veterans such as Jordan Henderson, Thiago, and Fabinho are pivotal for dictating tempo and winning duels, but maintaining the high-octane style of play has proven difficult as the season progresses. The introduction of younger talents like Darwin Núñez, Fabio Carvalho, and Harvey Elliott has added some zest, but gaps remain when it comes to off-ball aggression and synchronized pressing.

Liverpool’s drop in tackles and pressures per 90 minutes underscores the challenge in maintaining their identity. The match against Manchester City was a notable exception; the team managed to produce 178 pressures, momentarily matching their best standards. Consistency, however, remains elusive.

Attacking Structure and the Challenge of Consistency

Tactically, Klopp has not been afraid to tinker—switching from the customary 4-3-3 to a 4-2-3-1 formation. This change aims to get the best from players like Roberto Firmino, who excels in the number 10 role, and to unlock varied attacking combinations. However, frequent injuries and squad rotation in response to the demanding fixture list have disrupted on-field chemistry.

Without Luis Díaz and with Mané gone, only Mo Salah offers a consistent threat in behind. While Núñez shows promise running channels, his finishing hasn’t matched his underlying statistics (with an xG/90 surpassing even Erling Haaland but fewer goals). Elliott and Carvalho prefer more creative, inverted roles from wide positions, but this clogs central spaces and limits direct running power.

Klopp’s ongoing challenge is to blend these diverse profiles, perhaps by deploying Jota centrally (whose movement combines depth with link-up play), moving Núñez to the left, and maximizing Salah’s right-wing threat. Unlocking a harmonious front four is crucial to restoring attacking edge.

Strategic Adjustments Moving Forward

For Liverpool to reclaim momentum in the Premier League race, several tactical shifts are needed:

– Strengthening defensive structure when full-backs advance, perhaps by requiring a more conservative midfield screen or adjusting counter-press triggers.
– Rotating veteran players with emerging talents to ensure energy and physical sharpness remain high throughout matches.
– Focusing on restoring consistency in lineup choices to develop familiarity and rhythm, especially in the attacking third.
– Emphasizing rest-defense principles to minimize exposure during transitions and quick counters.
– Encouraging positional discipline, particularly for players prone to being drawn out during pressing phases.

Conclusion

Liverpool’s current campaign has exposed gaps in their tactical setup and squad management, but the solution lies within reach. By restoring intensity in pressing, reinforcing rest-defense mechanisms, and finding the right blend of attacking talent, Klopp can guide the Reds back towards the top. As the season continues, Liverpool must channel their old ferocity and tactical discipline—becoming, once again, a side that no Premier League team relishes facing.