Liverpool created numerous chances but couldn’t convert more. Still, this was a huge improvement from the Everton game.

Slot showed great adaptability—something Liverpool fans will hope to see more of in the coming weeks.

Robertson’s Best Game This Season?

The new structure gave Robertson freedom to attack. He created 4 chances, including Liverpool’s best opportunity of the match.

His passing was also key in progressing the ball—one of his best performances this season. Just look at his metrics

2️⃣Slot’s Tactical Switch in Possession

With Jones replacing the injured Gakpo, Slot adjusted the shape:

🔺 Box midfield of Szoboszlai-Jones-Mac Allister-Gravenberch
🔺 TAA joined the CBs to form a back three
🔺 Robertson held width on the left, allowing him to bomb forward

Jones was brought in to cover the other double pivot next to Szoboszlai, but this left Garcia open, making Liverpool’s midfield work much harder to cover him also.

This led to some dangerous Villa moments, as McGinn’s ball-carrying & Garcia’s direct runs caused problems.

But after 10 minutes, Emery reacted. Rogers moved deeper & more central, disrupting Liverpool’s structure.

Robertson didn’t want to follow Rogers too deep, so Mac Allister had to cover instead. This meant one of Villa’s midfielders would be free.

This pressing led to 6 Villa ball losses in the danger zone—compared to just 2 Villa ball regains.

Liverpool even scored a goal from this. The press was working.

1️⃣ Liverpool’s Pressing

From the first minute, Liverpool pressed aggressively. Mac Allister & Szoboszlai covered Villa’s double 6s, while Jota & Salah forced the ball to Villa’s right side.

This left Disasi with no choice but to go long or make a risky pass to the double pivot.

Aston Villa - Liverpool Analysis

From the lineups, it was clear that Slot had something special planned. After two disappointing performances vs Everton & Wolves, Liverpool looked sharp, and the coach showed great adaptability again.

Let’s break it down. 🧵👇

It’ll be a tough test for Liverpool against one of the most in-form teams in the league, but it promises to be an exciting game.

Let’s see what solutions Arne Slot comes up with against Iraola’s aggressive style.

Who do you think has the edge? 👀
#LFC #BOULIV

Solution 3️⃣: A less risky approach – use wide forwards as target men

This allows Liverpool to bypass the press instantly.

The issue? Salah struggled against Kerkez in their last matchup (Kerkez won 8 of 12 duels).

On the other side, Gakpo has a better chance against Cook.

Solution 2️⃣: Let Gravenberch do his thing

B’mouth will leave him isolated against Kluivert or Christie in midfield. If that happens, he can use his dribbling ability to break lines.

One shoulder drop, and transition again.

Risk? If he loses the ball, it’s a high-quality chance

This is a tough pass, but that’s why you have the best right-back/quarterback in the world. If Alexander-Arnold executes this ball properly, Liverpool escape Bournemouth’s press entirely and enter transition – an area where they are arguably the best in the world.

Solution 1️⃣: Let TAA do his thing

If Bournemouth force the ball to his side, Liverpool’s numerical advantage lies in the far-side fullback (Robertson).

Liverpool struggled with this a lot.

Just check their ball losses in dangerous positions (via @markstatsbot.bsky.social).

Bournemouth thrive on these high turnovers all season, as @theathleticfc.bsky.social visualizations highlight.

So how can Liverpool counter this?

Bournemouth press with five players against Liverpool’s six, while keeping a +1 advantage at the back against Liverpool’s four attackers.

To compensate for the numerical disadvantage, Iraola forces play to one side before switching to man-to-man pressing on the ball side.

The 3-0 scoreline from their last meeting doesn’t tell the full story.

For the first 30 minutes, Bournemouth’s hybrid pressing (from @jonmackenzie.bsky.social ) approach caused serious issues for Liverpool.

What does that mean?

B’mouth vs Liverpool Preview

The brilliant @ahmed-walid.bsky.social & @liamtharme.bsky.social wrote a great piece about how difficult it is to play against B’mouth.

I show you the potential problems for L’pool in build-up&the possible solutions, w examples from their prev matchup this season
👇🧵👇

my newsletter, wranging data from the last 15 seasons to show how shocking it is to watch a Pep Guardiola team not only lose matches, but consistently not be the better team in a run of matches www.expectinggoals.com/p/the-crisis...

#Liverpool #LFC #DarwinNunez #PremierLeague #FootballAnalysis #Tactics #FootballData #DataDriven #SlotBall #FootballTwitter #SoccerStats

• This tactical shift limits Núñez’s ability to maximize his strengths while exposing weaknesses in finishing, technique, and link-up play.

End of thread 🧵

Next time I will take a look at the potential solutions.

To sum it up:

• Núñez excels in shot volume, movement, and effort.
• Slot’s Liverpool prioritizes control, composure, and structured chance creation.

🔴Build-up play:

Slot’s up-back-through (pic nr2) progression highlights Núñez’s inconsistent layoffs:
• Striker receives under pressure.
• Clean layoff to midfield.
• Space attacked behind.

Salah leads here, thriving as a receiver of long passes—see @Walid_4 pic here:

🔴Pressing:

While Núñez works hard, his high-energy, less-coordinated pressing contrasts with Slot’s structure.

Against City, Díaz played centrally—likely due to his superior composure and timing.

For an excellent breakdown, see @jonmackenzie.bsky.social post:

🔴Chance creation:

Shot distribution reflects the system’s favours the wide attackers:
• Salah: 3.16 sh/90
• Díaz: 2.51 sh/90
• Núñez: 2.31 sh/90

Slot’s wingers exploit turnovers better, leaving Núñez with fewer opportunities to generate his signature high-volume shots.

2️⃣ Pressing: The #9 coordinates with Szoboszlai/Jones in a 4-2-4, requiring precision and timing.

3️⃣ Winger-centric attack: Salah and Díaz take more central roles in transitions.

How does this clash with Núñez’s game?

Slot’s Liverpool departs from Klopp’s high-risk chaos in key ways:

1️⃣ Control over chaos as a result lower shot volume but sustained chance quality.
Limit opponents shots volume and chance quality.

1️⃣ Finishing:Underperforms his xG consistently, though chance generation mitigates
2️⃣ Miscontrols:2.33 miscontrols/90 limit his reliability in build-up.
3️⃣ Composure & Coordination:Plays at maximum intensity, which doesn’t align with more measured pressing and positional demands.

1️⃣ Runs in behind: His movement is excellent in exploiting defensive gaps.
2️⃣ Athleticism: Combines pace and power with a unique physical frame.
3️⃣ Pressing effort: His work rate is undeniable, even if imperfect in execution

But weaknesses emerge in Slot’s tactical setup.

Núñez’s attacking profile is undeniably elite, prev season numbers:
• Shots/90: 4.7 (compared to Haaland’s 4.64)
• xG/shot: 0.15 (Haaland: 0.18)
• xG+xAG/90: 0.95 (Haaland: 0.89)

These highlight his ability to generate and assist high-quality chances, a trait valued highly

Darwin Núñez and Slot’s Liverpool: a mismatch of profile and tactics?

Liverpool’s more controlled system under Arne Slot has elevated the team but raised questions about Núñez’s fit as a #9.

Let’s analyze the data and tactical shifts behind the struggle

Thread 🧵 👇