On this episode of The Longball Premier League Preview Show, John and Declan are joined by TheMastermindSite's very own Kaustubh Kapoor to discuss all things Liverpool! The lads rave about how important Virgil Van Dijk is to this Liverpool team, and discuss whether or not Klopp will give more time to their young talents this season.
Tag: Georginio Wijnaldum
Should Klopp consider a back-three in 2021-22?
For much of Jurgen Klopp’s Anfield reign, Liverpool have favored a 4-3-3 shape. In this system, the Reds have enjoyed defensive solidity, offensive prowess and become one of the most dominant forces in world football. The results speak for themselves regarding the effectiveness of this shape, with the well-rounded formation taking Liverpool to Champions League and Premier League success. While the Reds weren’t always ruthless in their title-winning season, few can deny that they were efficient. But is it time for Klopp to freshen things up? Well, he may have the chance to try something new in 2021-22.
Bundesliga Weekly – Bayern crowned champions, Schalke’s defensive woes, and Wijnaldum on the move
Brandon and Dan take you through all the latest news and events in German football. This week's episode includes a discussion about Bayern Munich's latest title win, Peter Gulacsi's new contract, and Javi Martinez's departure from Bayern. The panel then head off into the rumour mills to discuss the likelihood of Georginio Wijnaldum moving to Nagelsmann's team, Jose Mourinho's interest in Marcel Sabitzer, and Raul's possible Frankfurt takeover. Follow the show via the links below!
Previewing the international break (March 2021) – Netherlands, Germany and Canada
The first international break of 2021 kicks off an exciting spring/summer in the world of football with three major tournaments: the Euros, Copa America and Olympic Games - taking place in a few months' time. All three tournaments were supposed to take place in 2020, however due to the COVID-19 pandemic they were pushed to 2021. Here we will highlight a few teams and storylines to keep an eye on this international break.
Liverpool 0-2 Everton – Tactical Analysis
The last time Everton won at Anfield, Trent Alexander-Arnold had just had his first birthday. September 1999 was the date, a match that lives long in Don Hutchinson's memory and almost no one else's. But even though it had been more than twenty-one years since Everton last won at Anfield, you just got the feeling that it might happen again this season. In the end, Carlo Ancelotti put on a tactical masterclass and his team put on a defensive clinic, but Liverpool were also woeful in attack and looked on different wavelengths at times. It all culminated in a historic win for the Toffees and an embarrassing defeat for Jurgen Klopp as things continue to go from bad to worse for the Reds. Here is a tactical analysis of Everton's historic 2-0 win over Liverpool.
Liverpool’s Tactical Concerns (2020-21) – TMS Podcast
Much of the dialogue going into this weekend’s Liverpool-Manchester City match centered around the fixture as a potential title decider for Liverpool. The assumption was that if Liverpool lost, their hopes and dreams of winning the title would dash before their eyes. As it turns out, Liverpool didn’t just lose, but were badly beaten and bruised by a terrific Manchester City side. With all of their struggles this season, not just against City, we take an in-depth look at where Liverpool have gone wrong tactically and beyond. Guest: Russell Tho is a Liverpool and Barcelona fan and friend of the show. You can find him on Instagram @russelltho96. Host: Rhys Desmond is the creator and owner of TMS. He is lifelong lover and educator of the beautiful game. You can find him on Twitter @DesmondRhys.
Where Liverpool Have Gone Wrong This Season – Tactical Analysis
Much of the dialogue going into this weekend's Liverpool-Manchester City match centered around the fixture as a potential title decider for Liverpool. The assumption was that if Liverpool lost, their hopes and dreams of winning the title would dash before their eyes. As it turns out, Liverpool didn't just lose, but were badly beaten and bruised by a terrific Manchester City side that absolutely terrorized the Reds. It was their third home loss of the season and fifth in total. So with all of their struggles this season, not just against Manchester City, we take an in-depth look at where Liverpool have gone wrong this season. Here is our latest Liverpool tactical analysis.
Jurgen Klopp – Liverpool – Tactical Analysis (2020-21 Edition)
Much has been made about Liverpool's start to the season, and a lot of the discussions have centered around Jurgen Klopp's team not being what they used to be, regardless of the injuries they've suffered. The fact of the matter is that the Reds have been better than any other side in the league this season. Liverpool have lost just a single game so far this season, although it was an absolute thrashing against Aston Villa. They've scored 36 goals in 14 games, and currently hold the best goal differential of all teams in the league. Perhaps most crucially, the performances have been good, even despite their injury woes, and they've been able to give young players a chance to perform in the side. For a side that some would say haven't been brilliant this season, Liverpool very well might be on their way to becoming champions again this season. With that, here is a Tactical Analysis of Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool in 2020-21.
Top 100 Male Footballers of 2020 (60-41)
2020 was a strange year for everyone in the world, not just footballers. But the COVID-19 pandemic has meant that we haven’t gotten as much football as we might have done otherwise. That said, there were still plenty of matches played across the year, and some surprise performers and performances along the way. As always, TheMastermindSite.com will now count down the top 100 male footballers in the world for the year. This list takes into account a player’s form in 2020 as its primary mechanism, with reputation, difficulty of league, club and national team success each playing a secondary role. So with that in mind, here is TheMastermindSite’s Top 100 Male Footballers in the World for 2020 (60-41).
Top 100 Male Footballers 2019 (50-41)
It’s almost the end of the year, so it’s only fitting that we count down the top 100 footballers of 2019. Check out the next section of the list (50-41) below. 50. Marcelo Marcelo's career is certainly winding down. He's had an injury-ridden 2019 and was even excluded from Brazil's 2019 Copa America squad. Meanwhile … Continue reading Top 100 Male Footballers 2019 (50-41)
2017-18 Premier League Team Guide: Liverpool
The Mastermind brings you an exclusive guide to every single Premier League team going into the highly anticipated 2017-18 season. From lineups, to transfers to the wackiest of predictions, The Mastermind has you covered. Here is your guide to a team that is on the rise and looking a whole lot better under the influence … Continue reading 2017-18 Premier League Team Guide: Liverpool