Klopp and Guardiola in this historical period.

If a 4-3-3 formation is deployed, the biggest difference in the attacking phase is the use of the two full-backs.

Guardiola's Man City has very high demands on the running positions of the two full-backs:

Often one has to tuck inside to switch to center-back, and the other has to push forward to become a deep-lying playmaker, while the midfielders, forwards, and attackers play as they normally would.

Liverpool is simpler, yet more complex:

The two full-backs are closer to the flanks, pushing forward to participate in the attack, making full use of the width.

Subsequent midfield and forward running changes must be developed according to the full-backs' running changes.

Will Henderson charge forward or retreat?

Will Mané and Coutinho cut inside or drift wide?

Will Firmino drop into midfield to participate in the battle?

All answers lie with the two full-backs.

Facing a powerful one-on-one defensive interceptor like Li Kang,

Which approach is more effective?

Liverpool, of course.

...

Emirates Stadium.

A black torrent wildly sweeps across the red and white half of the field.

"Liverpool's formation has become 2-3-5!"

"Klein and Moreno are so far apart on both flanks, yet they can still orchestrate such a wide range of play, both switches were successful."

"The speed of passing is so-so, the prelude to heavy metal rock."

"Arsenal can only retreat quickly as a whole, they don't have enough midfielders to compete!"

From a God's-eye view.

Li Kang observed that the opponent's passing speed was not fast, but the running changes of several attacking players in the frontcourt were particularly quick.

It's a prelude to speeding up the attack at any time.

He had been studying Liverpool's game footage for the past few days, and he knew that Klopp had polished the team's attacking end very well.

He subconsciously prepared to retreat to support.

Suddenly, he saw Wenger raise his right hand, signaling him not to retreat too deeply.

At the same time.

The diligent old workhorse, Giroud, quickly fell back to his position.

Another arrangement that violated tactical defensive principles.

Arsenal's defense was compressed into a flat shape.

Many people criticize Wenger's coaching ability as weak.

In reality, his pre-match arrangements are very strong. After all, he is the manager who won the Premier League's 49-game unbeaten trophy.

Every year, he can turn mediocre ingredients into a delicious dish that finishes in the top four of the Premier League...

On the other side.

Klopp scratched his stubble.

His brain was racing:

'Arsenal clearly doesn't want to fight for midfield control, and the attacking players don't have room to press forward and cut off passing lanes. Are they just letting us compress them so easily?'

'Why is that kid strolling around?'

'What does this mean?'

....

Arsenal fans in Islington were also a bit confused.

This kind of defensive tendency similar to "parking the bus" is not beautiful football at all!

How can they let Liverpool attack into their own territory so easily?

Why isn't our two hundred million man participating in the defense?

Even Barcelona's midfielders have to carry out high-frequency pressing!

Gradually, sparse boos floated from the home stands.

Liverpool fans, on the other hand, were singing "You'll Never Walk Alone," encouraging the Red Army players on the field!

"Mané has run to the flank!"

"Klein and Moreno are stretching very wide on both flanks!"

"A very extreme fan-shaped width!"

"Picking up the pace!"

...

Coutinho suddenly broke into the penalty area, receiving a through ball from Wijnaldum.

He didn't entice Koscielny into a head-on interception.

Giroud is sticking to his butt and pushing up!

He can't stall,

Stalling the attacking rhythm is Liverpool's biggest taboo!

Cazorla is also coming to provide assistance!

Pa!

The Brazilian genius flashed and moved, and finally gave up on breaking through, using a rabona to pass the ball to Klein near the touchline outside the penalty area!

Another pa sound.

The football whistled into Arsenal's penalty area!

"Dangerous!"

"Ah! Too bad, the power of the pass was a little too strong, the trajectory was erratic, and no one touched the ball!"

"The football almost slid out of the touchline, but fortunately Moreno controlled it."

"Liverpool has to reorganize the attack."

"If they are playing sustained positional warfare, the Gunners are not so afraid of the Reds."

"Liverpool's front three are very dependent on space."

....

Time passed second by second.

Under Klopp's tactical framework, Mané, Firmino, and Coutinho will not easily lose possession when playing positional warfare.

When the ball reaches each player's feet, different attacking details can be derived.

Mané's ball-handling characteristics, when not making explosive runs, are "feinting" organization. His passing is very deceptive, passing far rather than near. People in this historical period have overlooked his passing and controlling abilities.

Coutinho's characteristic is that he is a genuine number 10, occasionally cutting into the center to receive the ball. His dribbling ability is superb, restraining the opponent's defensive positioning while also seizing the opportunity to speed up and break through Arsenal's defense.

After all, he is a super genius produced by Inter Milan's youth training. The players who played with him during his growth process were all Champions League-level superstars. Barcelona has been coveting him for a long time.

What about Firmino?

He is more like a hub for the two to exchange possession and switch attacking routines.

However,

The overall attack is never just a matter of three people.

"The front line that Klopp has trained, ordinary teams really can't withstand it."

"It's definitely Champions League-level firepower!"

"It's just that the chemical reaction between the midfield and the two full-backs is not strong."

"Wenger's defensive arrangement is very targeted!"

"Liverpool's attack always fizzles out on Moreno's side."

"If Coutinho focuses on attacking Klein's direction, he will fall into Arsenal's trap."

Wenger kept looking at his watch, still signaling Li Kang not to retreat too deeply.

Boos rang out at the Emirates Stadium.

Islington fans were very dissatisfied:

'They spent two hundred million to buy back a grandpa? Didn't they see the team being beaten so badly? He was supposed to be a deep-lying midfielder! Why isn't he defending?'

Arsenal fans around the world were looking forward to something.

-【Although it's a bit against tactical principles and doesn't look like Arsenal, Wenger's defensive deployment has no problems.】

-【Not much pressure, leaving a Li Mingdeng in the middle and a Morata on the front line. It's a very traditional counter-attack support connection.】

-【Not only that, but look at Wijnaldum's running position. He doesn't dare to cut in too deep and has to pull out from time to time to follow Li Mingdeng, indirectly weakening the number of Liverpool's attacking participants.】

-【When we accompany our leaders to play football at work, we don't need the leaders to participate in the defense.】

-【Well, pay attention, the opposing players are also particularly afraid of the leader.】

....

Morata was wandering between the two Liverpool center-backs, occasionally looking back to see the situation in the backfield.

At this time, he had not yet learned to trash talk, nor had he learned to "accidentally injure" his opponents.

He is temporarily nicknamed by fans: Pure and Immaculate.

Lovren and Klavan were a little uncomfortable: whenever the ball possession in the backfield was unstable, the Spanish striker's running tendency became particularly strange, and his starting speed was also particularly explosive, making him feel very tricky.

On the sidelines.

Klopp also felt it was very tricky.

There was nothing wrong with his tactical system.

Compared with last season, he has also greatly reduced "ineffective running," and the attack in the middle and front is also better at controlling the rhythm.

But.

The ingredients for this dish are not good!

They don't meet the lower limit of Liverpool's attacking needs.

"Arnold is still young, this game cannot be his Premier League debut."

"I still need an inside forward who is good at tearing apart the weak side."

In his thoughts.

Liverpool's manager couldn't help but tug at his hair in distress.

...

18th minute of the match.

Moreno's cross was intercepted by Walcott.

Arsenal sounded the horn of counter-attack.

Fortunately, Lallana counter-pressed in time and regained possession.

26th minute of the match.

Moreno was "ganged up on" again.

Arsenal sounded the horn of counter-attack again.

Fortunately, Lallana and Mané counter-pressed in time and regained possession.

34th minute of the match.

Coutinho received a pass from his teammate on the edge of the penalty area.

He observed that Moreno had run into an open space, but he didn't dare to pass the ball over for a while.

Facing Giroud's butt-pushing,

The Brazilian genius quickly turned around in circles, creating space for a long shot.

In an instant.

Arsenal's defense quickly shrank.

Cheers rang out from the four stands.

"Wow, that pre-shot movement! That position!"

"He finally has a chance to unleash his ultimate move!"

"An arrow that pierces the clouds, and thousands of troops come to meet him."

One trick, use it everywhere.

Coutinho's cloud-piercing arrow is a great skill in today's football!

Bang!

The football was accompanied by a loud bang.

Like a sharp arrow.

It whistled through the dense red and white crowd.

Curving towards the far corner of Arsenal's goal.

The visual impact was explosive.

At the critical moment.

The Czech man wearing a tank hat stretched his body and pushed the ball out with both fists.

The Gunners' goalkeeper at this time was Čech!

"A miraculous long shot!"

"A miraculous save!"

"We also have to praise Koscielny and Mertesacker's positioning here!"

"Monreal clears with a long pass!"

"It's a pass!"

"Another counter-attack!"

Liverpool has a "five-second rule" after losing possession in the frontcourt.

This is the essence of Klopp's tactics.

Ordinary opponents will not be able to withstand it if they are eager to counter-attack.

Unfortunately, Wenger's Arsenal does not pursue extreme counter-attack speed too much.

...

Thirty-meter area.

Walcott received the ball and did not rush to pass the ball directly to Morata.

Instead, he was observing Li Kang's movement.

Wijnaldum did not dare to retreat too much, but stuck behind Arsenal's number 10.

"Don't rush."

"Arsenal's counter-attack is not fast, but it is very stable."

"Once Cazorla comes up, they will speed up!"

"Oh no!"

"Li Kang faked a run, shaking off Wijnaldum!"

"Walcott passed the ball over!"

In Li Kang's vision, a slightly chubby, curly-haired figure appeared.

Platini.

The pride of France.

He did not bring an increase in attributes, but conveyed the easiest way to get rid of the defender.

He followed the tendency of the phantom.

Feinting to the left.

Wijnaldum then moved two steps horizontally, the movement was halfway through...

Li Kang had already drilled out from the right side!

The audience was shocked!

"Agile."

"Elegant."

"A fake run can shake off the defender to create the most suitable space to receive the ball?"

"Terrifying observation, terrifying speed of adjusting the center of gravity!"

...

Klopp was not panicked at all.

He had foreseen this situation.

Li Kang can get rid of Wijnaldum, but he can't get rid of Henderson, let alone Lovren and Klavan!

That's right.

Wenger's slow counter-attack rate is no longer in line with the mainstream of the Premier League.

Do they still have to wait for their teammates to come up and play passing and cutting during the counter-attack?

Even if we can't intercept Li Kang's ball... we can still delay until other players come back to defend.

...

Henderson's paper strength is very weak, but he will explode when he puts on the Liverpool jersey.

Facing Arsenal's number 10, who is famous in Europe,

He did not easily make a tackle.

Delay.

Wait.

Force.

Li Kang sensed Cazorla behind him.

He lightly tapped the ball with his heel.

The two seemed to have a telepathic connection.

The football rolled back two meters, and at the feet of the Arsenal magician, it drew a graceful arc.

"A very, very crucial transition in the middle!"

"We now understand Wenger's intention to keep Li Kang in the midfield!"

"It's not fancy passing and cutting!"

"It's about delivering a fatal blow!"

"When did Morata drift wide?"

"No offside!"

"Lovren and Klavan can't keep up with him!"

"The Spanish striker's explosive speed is too strong!"

"He's broken through!"

"One-on-one!"

...

On the sidelines.

Assistant coach Bould was stunned: "Boss, how did Morata play at a world-class level? He was still..."

Wenger said seriously:

"Morata's childhood dream was to join Arsenal."

"He must understand our football philosophy very well."

On the other side.

Klopp anxiously directed his players.

He was very annoyed.

The frontcourt attack cannot be perfectly executed due to the individual abilities of some players.

The backcourt defense was clearly arranged perfectly, but it was easily torn apart.

He can't give up!

There are still trustworthy players!

Goalkeeper - Karius!

...

Emirates Stadium.

Cheers and boos were mixed together.

Morata ran all the way, reaching the edge of Liverpool's penalty area!

Karius wasn't afraid of him.

He is only bad when facing Li.

As for Arsenal's other attackers?

I had already prepared for the game: detailed information on each person's preferred foot and shooting habits!

...

Morata suddenly felt that he had become smarter.

The opponent's goalkeeper's blocking position was perfect.

He didn't give himself a good shooting angle.

If he slowed down and adjusted his shot at this time, would he be caught up by Lovren and Klavan behind him?

That was secondary.

He seemed to have lost a trace of confidence in shooting.

What should he do?

He glanced at Li Kang's running position.

He immediately lowered his head and found a perfect answer: stretch the width!

"Why doesn't he shoot?"

"What a waste of opportunity."

"Doesn't he observe his teammates' running positions?"

"Karius's blocking position is perfect, not giving Morata any chance!"

"Textbook one-on-one defense."

"Morata is dribbling wide!"

...

In the shot.

Morata soon found himself surrounded by three people near the touchline in the penalty area.

Just as the ball was about to be lost.

Li Kang broke into the penalty area, Henderson followed closely behind.

In his vision, Platini's phantom reappeared.

It still did not bring an increase in ability.

Instead, it pointed out the most suitable position to receive the ball.

An analysis of the ball's trajectory in the penalty area that is more accurate than a God's-eye view?

No.

This ability is close to prediction.

Pa!

The football drilled out of the crowded area.

It was a trajectory that no one had expected.

Li Kang circled around and got rid of Henderson.

He cushioned the ball with his left foot.

A natural shooting motion.

Straight into the empty net!

2:0!!!

"Wow!"

"That ball was beautiful!"

"It's Li Kang again! A brace!"

"The ball arrives, and the man arrives!"

"The finishing connection between the two hundred million man and the half-million man!"

"The chemical reaction between the two is so gorgeous!"

"Morata assisted, and Li Kang broke through the empty net to score, helping Arsenal extend their lead!"

"All of Wenger's deployments that violate tactical principles have allowed Li Kang to master the most abundant offensive resource allocation in the frontcourt!"

"Creating space for teammates to initiate counter-attacks!"

"Creating opportunities for teammates to transition the ball when they insert from behind!"

"Providing finishing support for frontline teammates!"

"Arsenal, in his hands, is like a delicate pistol."

...

Live broadcast room.

Barrages flew.

-【Fixing Li Mingdeng on the attacking end... is also very strong.】

-【He plays so easily on the field.】

-【Arsenal's two hundred million was well spent, the style of the entire counter-attack is different.】

-【Wenger abandoned beautiful football... but the process of these two goals is also beautiful.】

-【It's still too risky, if the backcourt can't withstand Liverpool's attack, it's over. It can only be said that Arsenal's pre-match arrangements were very thorough, grabbing Moreno's side to disrupt the attack.】

-【Pay attention to the slow motion, Karius is really not bad, he and Lovren and Klavan resolved this one-on-one from the perspective of the situation.】

-【Morata is also a monster... being pressed by three people, he can still send such a tacit pass, 50 million euros! Where can you find a forward that is so suitable for Arsenal!】

-【With this kind of dominance, the Gunners can win the Premier League if there are no injuries! They can overturn the universe team in the Champions League!】

-【What to do? Will Liverpool be slaughtered?】

-【Don't worry, watching Liverpool's games often, you'll know that the second half is the time for reversals.】

....

Islington fans were red-faced.

They were still denouncing Li Kang's "defensive attitude" just a few minutes ago.

Now they can only use even more frantic cheers to cover it up.

"Lee!!!"

Li Kang was surrounded by his teammates.

Even Sánchez, who harbored resentment, subconsciously developed the awareness of being a good accessory.

It turns out that making Arsenal take the lead is so simple.

"Lee, your running position is too magical. I was still thinking about waiting for Giroud to run up before passing the ball!"

"Asshole, if we waited for Giroud to run up, Mané would have been standing next to our own goalpost!"

"Did you see that? Play with my idea in mind, creating space for Lee."

Li Kang inadvertently thought of the match footage of other teams again:

Platini's thinking may not be universally applicable to any opponent.

If I attract most of the defenders in the attacking process, then Arsenal still has a lot of attacking points in the frontcourt... Sánchez, Giroud, Walcott, Cazorla, etc., and a group of players on the bench...

In short.

This Arsenal's future competitiveness in the Champions League is very strong.

Below the Liverpool goalpost.

Karius took off his gloves, tugged at his blond hair in distress, and a cloud of worry covered his handsome face.

This is his Premier League debut.

His value was lost by Li Kang before the first half even ended.

Henderson took the responsibility for the lost goal on himself:

"It's my problem... I didn't realize that Morata's passing trajectory would be so strange."

"Cheer up, we're only two goals behind, there's still time in the game!"

....

On the sidelines.

Wenger clapped his hands vigorously in excitement.

Bould and the players on the bench hugged each other.

"Boss, Liverpool seems to be making a substitution."

"Is it that young player named Arnold?"

"Bad, he hasn't played in the Premier League yet! The coaching staff doesn't have enough information about him."

On the other side.

Klopp put his arm around a curly-haired youngster and spoke rapidly.

"Listen, I'm going to replace Moreno with you."

"No, no, no, I won't let you play on the left."

"You play in Klein's position, let him go to the left."

"We weren't far from scoring throughout the first half!"

"Good boy, don't ask such stupid questions, just do it like you do in training!"

The tactical board fell to the ground.

Liverpool's manager couldn't help but punch Arnold in the chest.

"Overturn them!"