Brendan Rodgers Thread

[Glen C]

Don't know if anyone has read this article but it explains that Rogers more deals with zones on the pitch. Was going to paste in the article but i'm set on mobile background and can't bloody change it back and it has pictures.

 

Brendan Rodgers’ Tactical Approach: How Liverpool adapt to Tiki-Taka?

[Dan]

There ya go

 

Home » EPL Index Featured Article » Brendan Rodgers’ Tactical Approach: How Liverpool adapt to Tiki-Taka?

 

May 31, 2012 7:14 am TPiMBW 10,343 Views 17 comments

 

EPL Index Featured Article, EPL Index Opinion, EPLIndex Tactical Report, Liverpool

 

Brendan Rodgers is a man who has an appreciation of footballing perception and culture, regardless of its roots, a man who strives for perfection in the evolution of the game. The strategies of ‘Tiki-Taka’ and ‘totaal-voetbal’ form the basis of Brendan Rodgers’ modus operandi.

 

For Rodgers the season of 2011/12 will be regarded as the touchstone for 2012/13, this time however, he’ll be upgrading the apparatus of which he conducts his orchestra. In contrast, the season of 2011/12 for Liverpool Football Club was one to forget – a season of ‘comme ci, comme ça’. While Rodgers was masterminding world-class performances from a hamper of championship (or adequate premier league) players, Liverpool were staging average performances week in, week out with players of a different calibre. This article aims to reveal the ‘magic’ ingredients that Brendan Rodgers prepared his Swansea class of 2011/12 with.

 

Rodgers, like Mourinho, is a footballing scholar and to further the similarity also employs strict strategy in his approach to the game. However, that’s where the similarities come to an end; each represents alternative ends of the spectrum in footballing theory:

 

“I like to control games. I like to be responsible for our own destiny. If you are better than your opponent with the ball you have a 79 per cent chance of winning the game…for me it is quite logical. It doesn’t matter how big or small you are, if you don’t have the ball you can’t score.” (Rodgers 2012)

 

Maintaining possession, working the ball through various channels and quality of goal scoring opportunities (rather than quantity) are apropos of the Tiki-Taka school of football. To achieve the success found implementing Tiki-Taka football, not only are a particular set of players required but a template to enable the ever-flowing movement advocated by Spain, Barça and Swansea:

 

“My template for everything is organisation. With the ball you have to know the movement patterns, the rotation, the fluidity and positioning of the team. Then there’s our defensive organisation…so if it is not going well we have a default mechanism which makes us hard to beat and we can pass our way into the game again. Rest with the ball. Then we’ll build again.” (Rodgers 2012)

 

For Liverpool, a new set of fundamentals will need to be put into place; a move away from the over-reliance on direct football that maximizes the quantity of goal scoring opportunities and not quality - a degree of trust will need to be installed in the individual’s know-how and when to shoot or make the decision that the opportunity is only a half chance and not a sure thing. The approach works on the principles that ‘the whole is greater that then sum of its parts’:

 

“The strength of us is the team. Leo Messi has made it very difficult for players who think they are good players. He’s a real team player. He is ultimately the best player in the world and may go on to become the best ever. But he’s also a team player…If you have someone like Messi doing it then I’m sure my friend Nathan Dyer can do it. It is an easy sell.” (Rodgers 2012) The Rodgers strategy

 

Brendan Rodgers, in early 2012, sketched out his strategy and explained his approach to the game for journalist Duncan White. First, he divided the pitch into eight zones and then plotted his formation. The division of zones is suggestive that each player when in possession should play a particular role, including the goal keeper and two centre backs:

 

“When we have the football everybody’s a player. The difference with us is that when we have the ball we play with 11 men, other teams play with 10 and a goalkeeper.” (Rodgers 2012)

 

The formation moves away from the given 4-4-2, 4-3-3, 4-5-1 etc way of thinking and towards a concept of zones within the playing field.

 

Zone 1 – ‘the sweeper goalkeeper’ – This specialised zone is expected to take charge of a much larger zone in Tiki-Taka football compared to the more direct approach. The emphasis is on the goalkeeper to play with the ball at his feet and play far more short threaded passes than usual. Characteristics in this role include: good stature, efficiency with balls in the air, bravery, agility and willingness to play on the deck without fear – the keeper is expected to act as a pressure relief for under pressure team mates. Given that Liverpool’s Reina received his education at Barcelona’s La Masia it will come as a natural for Reina to play the required role in zone 1.

 

Zone 2 - the ‘líbero’ – The players in zone 2 are (like the goalkeeper) expected to play a much larger role in ‘keep-ball’. They are too expected to act as pressure relief to a compact midfield as a way-out option. The two centre backs are expected to compliment one another: one technically brilliant and one with a powerful physical presence (see: Puyol-Pique). The more technical of the two is to act as a playmaker for changing the pace of the game – Ashley Williams made more long ball attempts than any other outfield player during 2011/12, mostly fast yet grounded balls played forward to feet. As a ‘líbero’ you have the whole picture in front of you –you are in a position to say pim let’s go this way, pim let’s go that way.

 

Zone 3 – the ‘volante de salida’ – This player must be particular good at playing his way out of trouble and yet still excellent at winning the ball back. Typical characteristics are the ability to read the game, act as an outlet for under-pressure team mates consistently and continually pass the ball within pressure:

 

“I get the ball, I pass, I get the ball, I pass, I get the ball, I pass.” (Xavier Hernandez 2011)

 

Xavi’s hypnotic approach to the game summarises the mindset for the player in this particular zone and like Leon Britton should boast a remarkably high pass completion rate – a 93.3% pass rate was widely acknowledged in January 2012.

 

Zone 4 – the wing backs – the players in this zone will need to be prepared to work particularly hard up and down the wing; both defensively and in more advanced positions. It is important to note that crosses will now be made from the by-line rather than from deep – within zone G (8). Liverpool currently boasts a number of players who can fulfil this role – Johnson, Kelly, Enrique.

 

Zone 5 – the box to box creative midfielders – flair, the ability to change the pace of the game within a second, the decision of when to do so and an all round technical ability are required to fulfil the roles in zone 5. Zone 5 players are expected to continually find space amongst the ‘traffic’ and complete the triangles in possession. The players should not constantly look to create the spectacular but are expected to simply knit the possession and keep the ball more often than not. Steven Gerrard is one player who may have to adapt to fit within this role and play keep ball rather than looking to create often – however will no doubt still act as a catalyst to change the game.

 

Zone 6 – the inside forwards – Messi, Alexis Sanchez, Sinclair, Dyer et al. all represent the highly creative, technically gifted and unpredictable player expected to fulfil the requirements of this zone. Luis Suarez is one player who could walk into the Barcelona model and will no doubt give Liverpool with much of the answers in this zone.

 

Zone 7 - the linking target man – This player is expected to be technically gifted when assessing his first touch, link up play and off ball movement. Carroll may well represent a target man, whether he adapts to act as a target man in this model is a question yet to be asked of him. While Carroll possesses world-class aerial ability, questions may be asked of his ability on the deck as well as his off ball movement. However, towards the end of the 2011/2012 season Carroll showed glimpses of being an extremely hardworking forward and may well find much success in this role. Anyone lucky enough to watch Fabio Borini will know that he was a huge loss to Swansea this past year, despite the success of Danny Graham.

 

Zone G (8) – the goal scoring opportunity and assist zone – this zone is vastly important zone to understand. The quality of chances cannot be stressed enough. Liverpool has, over the past five years, been noted for creating chance after chance without scoring. The players who break into this zone should be extremely good at making the decision as to whether a goal scoring opportunity is available or to turn back and play the ball back into the organism of Tiki-Taka. Barcelona however, highlighted the danger in over relying on this concept as their play became slower and more predictable as the game went on against Chelsea in the Champions League 2011/12. For situations like this, just maybe Steven Gerrard will recreate the brilliance he showed against Olympiakos (2004) and West Ham (2006). However, a balance between the Tiki-Taka patience and Gerrard’s direct play will be reworked under Rodgers without a doubt. As a general rule, one goal should be scored to every nine shots.

 

En Assemble - The formation laid out sets about moving forward as a team and defending as a unit too. The team are expected, rather poetically, to move back and forth much like turquoise waves crashing onto shore:

 

“You win the ball back when there are thirty metres to their goal not eighty” (Guardiola 2009) Conclusion

 

Whether or not Rodgers’ methodology is a success at Liverpool is the question. However, the success may come down to the amount of control Rodgers is offered over the club structure: from the academy to the first team. Liverpool have kept no secrets in their approach to managers and directors this summer but all roads point to one single conceptual view of football – that of Barcelona and La Masia; the hope of becoming a successful club in perpetuity.

 

The variable of ‘time’ presents Liverpool with the biggest challenge. Tiki-Taka football simply does not transpire from one single season of transitional change – just ask A.S. Roma and Luis Enrique of 2011/12. Swansea were already a technically gifted side and good in possession long before Brendan Rodgers, both P.Sousa and R.Martinez provided the club with the foundations. The core of the Swansea side has been with the club for many years; Tiki-Taka has become the club’s tradition.

 

However, Liverpool needs change – the club needs to move away from the over reliance on two or three individuals and a move away from the many, many wasted chances over the years. Progress and longevity are the goals of Liverpool & Brendan Rodgers and it is this collaboration of ideologies that may well lead Brendan Rodgers and Liverpool back to the glory years of yesteryear, a glimpse of futuristic realistic success.

 

Liverpool needs to restructure from the ground up and no man is better suited to become Liverpool’s very own Pep Guardiola than Brendan Rodgers. Liverpool fans should expect the unexpected. But then again, what’s new here? Liverpool were 3 nil down at the Atatürk Stadium when half time came in 2005.

 

“…and Milan now, playing football out of this

 

Please see supporting articles:

 

La Masia – http://thepathismadebywalking.wordpres

[J-V]

Compensation agreed for Rodgers and three of his backroom staff.

[Redexile]

The supporters.

Take a look in this thread.

That's been about the only thing Rodgers & Martinez had going for them.

 

They're not my choice FSG spoke to two of the parties themselves.

They ignored Rafa, spoke to AVB, spoke to Van Gaal and Capello's agent said he'd be open to the idea.

 

 

I'm not sure that this thread is a good indication of the way the red half of the world is thinking.

I was quite open to AVB ( which I still think would have been a gamble) and the original Rafa. I thought that Capello, Van Gaal and Martinez were the wrong choices for different reasons. I can't help but think that FSG would have been influenced by Rafa's history of conflict with the board at Valencia, Us and Inter - whether right or wrong. They probably just decided to jib it based on the fact that there was conflict.

Perhaps Rodgers will be the right choice it's a direction we've never chosen before , so for me it's a case of wait and see.

The whole Kenny issue however has finally opened my eyes to the fact that the club I grew up with and it's relationship with the fans appears to have changed forever, so I'm not even sure if I will bother in the future.

[Jairzinho]

Thanks, Dan. Interesting stuff.

[kalasoma]

Does this comp package for Rodgers and 3 members of staff mean Steve Clarke is staying or going?

[Whelan]

Does this comp package for Rodgers and 3 members of staff mean Steve Clarke is staying or going?

 

Staying, the assistant manager is not one of the staff.

[El Rojo]

I'm in nerd heaven with all this tactical stuff.

 

Good luck to Brendan with trying to impart it to our sulky, spineless misfits though.

[Guest Numero Veinticinco]

Who is this Irish lass on Sky Sports News?

[bonesman]

LFC Transfer Spec ‏@LFCTS

Hearing Ryland Morgans head of sports sciense at Swansea is joining #LFC too.

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[Saucepan]

Staying, the assistant manager is not one of the staff.

 

You sure about that? Norwegian site says Colin Pascoe is indeed coming along.

[Whelan]

You sure about that? Norwegian site says Colin Pascoe is indeed coming along.

 

No, read it somewhere but can't remember where! Alan Curtis is first team coach and he is staying, which I read as Steve Clarke will be staying!

[Jhinge Machha]

he has fantastic coats

[Whelan]

he has fantastic coats

 

Yes, although I think Caragher may struggle!

[Glen C]

Who is this Irish lass on Sky Sports News?

 

I've been trying to find out that myself ;-).

[TheHitman]

All speculation I guess but looking like just Segura and a chief scout with Ayre handling the negotiating role of Commoli's job and Rodgers and his backroom team.

 

Liverpool have removed the final barrier in the way of appointing Brendan Rodgers as manager after agreeing a compensation package with Swansea City.

 

Swansea were entitled to around £5m in compensation for Rodgers due to the three-and-a-half year contract their former manager signed in January. The package includes payoffs for several members of the Swansea backroom staff – the clearest sign yet that the new management structure Fenway Sports Group envisaged for Anfield has been compromised to allow Rodgers the control he wants.

 

Rodgers' insistence on bringing his own team with him to Merseyside may prompt the departure of Steve Clarke from Anfield and also ends Louis van Gaal's prospects of joining Liverpool. The Dutchman was FSG's preferred choice in a sporting director-type role at Anfield but Rodgers, and Wigan's Roberto Martínez, who was also interviewed by John W Henry, Liverpool's principal owner, made it clear that a partnership was unworkable.

 

Clarke, the assistant manager to Kenny Dalglish, offered his resignation in the wake of Dalglish's sacking but that was rejected. FSG still intend to reshape the coaching structure at Liverpool but not to the same extent as they originally proposed.

 

Rodgers agreed personal terms on a three-year contract at Liverpool on Wednesday and is expected to bring his assistant Colin Pascoe, conditioning expert Glen Driscoll and chief match analyst Chris Davies with him to Anfield. He may also hijack Swansea's £6.8m deal with Hoffenheim for Gylfi Sigurdsson. Swansea agreed a club record transfer for the Iceland midfielder earlier this week but Sigurdsson has yet to sign a contract.

[bonesman]

LFC Transfer Spec ‏@LFCTS

BR bringing his own man instead of working with SC whom he knows very well shows that he has no sentiments and is very strict to his rules.

[Kennys_spell]

Have you read your PM off this board?

[PaulMcC]

All speculation I guess but looking like just Segura and a chief scout with Ayre handling the negotiating role of Commoli's job and Rodgers and his backroom team.

 

Liverpool have removed the final barrier in the way of appointing Brendan Rodgers as manager after agreeing a compensation package with Swansea City.

 

Swansea were entitled to around £5m in compensation for Rodgers due to the three-and-a-half year contract their former manager signed in January. The package includes payoffs for several members of the Swansea backroom staff – the clearest sign yet that the new management structure Fenway Sports Group envisaged for Anfield has been compromised to allow Rodgers the control he wants.

 

Rodgers' insistence on bringing his own team with him to Merseyside may prompt the departure of Steve Clarke from Anfield and also ends Louis van Gaal's prospects of joining Liverpool. The Dutchman was FSG's preferred choice in a sporting director-type role at Anfield but Rodgers, and Wigan's Roberto Martínez, who was also interviewed by John W Henry, Liverpool's principal owner, made it clear that a partnership was unworkable.

 

Clarke, the assistant manager to Kenny Dalglish, offered his resignation in the wake of Dalglish's sacking but that was rejected. FSG still intend to reshape the coaching structure at Liverpool but not to the same extent as they originally proposed.

 

Rodgers agreed personal terms on a three-year contract at Liverpool on Wednesday and is expected to bring his assistant Colin Pascoe, conditioning expert Glen Driscoll and chief match analyst Chris Davies with him to Anfield. He may also hijack Swansea's £6.8m deal with Hoffenheim for Gylfi Sigurdsson. Swansea agreed a club record transfer for the Iceland midfielder earlier this week but Sigurdsson has yet to sign a contract.

 

If we don't get someone in a sort of DoF role we should've just went for a more proven manager who didn't want a DoF either.

[Glen C]

David Anderson ‏@MirrorAnderson

Looks like Steve Clarke and Kevin Keen have been sacked to make way for Rodgers and his gang from Swansea.

[xerxes]

If we don't get someone in a sort of DoF role we should've just went for a more proven manager who didn't want a DoF either.

 

I agree.

 

This is the worst of all worlds.

[Whelan]

Bit of a cunts trick from Liverpool that. He offered his resignation after Kenny left and it was turned down, so now we sack him!

[Kennys_spell]

I agree.

 

This is the worst of all worlds.

 

Are we absolutley sure we're not getting a DofF?

[Whelan]

Are we absolutley sure we're not getting a DofF?

 

According to Duncan Jenkins that is still the plan, or some variant on a DoF.

[elvis]

I agree.

 

This is the worst of all worlds.

 

Really ?