Jurgen Klopp transforms Liverpool with tactical change vs Sheffield United

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Jurgen Klopp made one tactical change for Liverpool against Sheffield United. It might transform the Reds.

Back to basics. That was the clear message from Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool took on Sheffield United on Sunday.

The Reds ran out 2-0 winners – their first Premier League win since the end of January. And they went back to their old style to do it.

Back to basics

Liverpool have been a possession side over the last two years. It helped them secure the Premier League title and run Manchester City close the year before.

The Reds control the ball, limit opposition chances and grind teams down. It’s undoubtedly their best way of playing with their first XI.

That team is filled with players capable of controlling a game with the ball. It’s wonderful and incredibly successful.

Only, Liverpool don’t have that first XI anymore and won’t for the rest of the season. They’ve tried to continue in the same way but, plainly, it doesn’t work.

And that saw Klopp try something new on Sunday. Instead of being the safe, possession side of the last two years, he reverted to his old style.

Liverpool went long. They took advantage of having several great passers, tons of energy, and the most-threatening wingers in the world.

In total, the Reds played 659 passes against Sheffield United. 64 of those were a long ball, so nearly 10 per cent.

Compare that to facing Everton last week. Liverpool played 726 passes in that game, with just 46 long balls.

Away at Leicester City, the Reds attempted 602 passes, with 38 going long. Of 731 passes against Brighton, Liverpool went long on 48 occasions.

There was a huge difference against Sheffield United, then. Liverpool didn’t just play far more long balls but a much higher percentage of their passes went long.

That, to us, suggests a clear strategy.

Interestingly, their second goal against RB Leipzig came this way. Liverpool went long, put defenders under pressure, and used the rapid transition to score.

We wonder, then, if Klopp wants more of this. At a time when Liverpool lack their best XI, leaning into their world-class pressing and pace makes a lot of sense.

Less control, more aggression.