Pep Lijnders has provided insight into Liverpool’s preparations when facing formidable opponents in the Premier League, including the likes of Manchester City.
Following a challenging previous season that saw Liverpool finish in 5th place, missing out on Champions League qualification due to a difficult start, Lijnders has shared how the team is approaching matches against strong rivals.
In the current season, Liverpool have displayed a promising start, securing seven points out of a possible nine in their first three league games, with two wins and a draw. This positive performance indicates their determination to bounce back from the previous setbacks.
“One of our main principles is counter pressing. Jurgen says it isn’t a proposal, it’s a law. That’s what makes us, us. Counter pressing is the moment when you lose the ball. At that moment, do you go back to defend behind the ball, or do you want to use that moment to create and score?” Lijnders told Training Ground Guru.
“We want to play with a lot of offensive aggression. You use that moment to attack again, because many times the opposition in this moment is not well organised. You want to play in the opposition half and stay there as long as possible, because it gives our front three the chance to express more often.
“We always say pressing and counter pressing make the difference at the end of the season in points; whether you win the Champions League or lose it, whether you win the Premier League or come second.
“Today we played out counter-press rondo: three teams, they have to earn the right to keep the ball, because the better they attack and keep the ball the less they have to defend. The ones in the middle really need to try to catch the ball and play with the team that didn’t lose it, so this constant chaos.”
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