Reborn Liverpool

Chapter 241 Experimenting with New Formation

Liverpool's thrilling season opener gave Klopp the determination to transform the midfield, because teams with strong offense and weak defense will not go far in the Champions League.

The Red Army's two wings are a bit of a problem. Klein's strength and Milner's age can hardly meet the requirements of high-speed up and down wings.

The 3 goals conceded by the Red Army in the opening game were more or less related to the defense of the two wings.

Either the assists can't come back, or there are loopholes in flank protection and man marking.

Besides, the UEFA Champions League is also different from the Premier League. There are so many amazing teams in the five major leagues, and the Red Army's "4-3-3" lineup has to start to differentiate between "attack" and "defense".

Zhang Mai's offensive and defensive skills are excellent, his midfield organization ability is strong, his skills are superb and he doesn't stick to the ball. He is the best candidate for Liverpool's midfielder who pursues high-speed pressing and quick counterattack.

Chamberlain's role in the midfield is similar to that of Zhang Mai, but his organization and imagination are not enough, especially the overall situation on the field is not enough.

Wijnaldum's offense is strong and his defense is weak. When facing strong enemies such as Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern, it is likely to become the opponent's weakness in the midfield.

Lallana and Grujic, who rotated as substitutes, are basically black holes in defense, and basically they will not have the chance to play against strong opponents.

Both Henderson and Fabio are defensive midfielders, especially Fabio's midfield interception. Zhang Mai feels that the Brazilian is comparable to his old friend Kanter, but the two sort out and organize in the midfield The offensive ability is lackluster.

Milner is a tough character who doesn't talk too much, but he must have a qualified left winger to release the energy of this England titan.

Klopp's goal this year is to make Liverpool blossom in the third tier, that is, domestic leagues and various cup competitions, as well as good results in the Champions League.

Therefore, it has become Uncle Zha's top priority to quickly improve the defensive strength of the Red Army and not to pin all the Red Army's victory on offense.

8月19日22：00（英国当地时间15：00），2017/18赛季英超第2轮一场焦点战在安菲尔德球场展开角逐，
Liverpool, who are playing at home, have a brand new lineup:
Liverpool: (4-3-3)

22 - Mignolet;

66-Arnold, 4-Van Dijk, 3-Maguire, 26-Robertson;
14-Henderson, 7-Milner, 10-Zhang Mai;

9-Firmino, 11-Salah, 19-Mane.

The visiting team that came to Anfield to challenge was Crystal Palace. Allardyce, who lost his troops to Zhang Mai at the end of last season, also changed his formation this time:
Crystal Palace: (3-4-2-1)

13 - Hennessey;
24-Mensah, 6-Dane, 5-Tomkins;

2-Ward, 4-Milivojevic, 42-Ponjon, 3-Van Aanholt;
10-Townsend, 8-Loftus-Cheek;

17 - Benteke.

Crystal Palace is piling up troops to fight for the midfield this time, and it just fell into Liverpool's trap. Henderson, Milner and Zhang Mai's defense are all good. will be useless.

"Klopp should have found the most correct instruction manual for 31-year-old Milner starting from this game."

Zhang Mai looked at the seemingly loyal and ruthless Milner next to him, and was silently mourning for the opposite Crystal Palace.

Benteke's foot injury on the opposite side has healed, but Zhang Mai's eyes obviously began to dodge, so Zhang Mai didn't bother to pay attention to the chimpanzee any more.

Liverpool won the championship ahead of schedule by beating Crystal Palace at home at the end of last season. Obviously, they have an advantage psychologically. Even the latest starters Arnold and Robertson have their nostrils upturned.The two sides have scored each other in the past 10 encounters, averaging 3.9 goals per game.Liverpool have conceded a goal in their last 13 games against Crystal Palace.

这是双方历史上第50场交锋，此前利物浦25胜11平13负占据上风，其中英超交锋16场，利物浦9胜3平4负占据优势。为备战周中欧冠附加赛，克洛普轮换了5人。

Crystal Palace coach Allardyce on the sidelines was a little confused when he saw Liverpool's hardcore midfielder and pink wingers.

"Liverpool is not Tottenham, which ranked 4th last season. There is no need for a large-scale rotation to participate in the midweek Champions League play-offs. How...???"

The old man began to worry about gains and losses for his new effect...

At the beginning of the first half of the game, the old and new hatreds of the players on both sides came to their hearts, and they skipped the link of testing each other directly.

In the 7th minute, Milner brought down Van Aanholt in front of the penalty area, and Tomkins missed the goal with a header from a free kick.

Liverpool immediately retaliated. New aid Robertson passed the ball on the left, and Milner's low shot from a small angle on the left side of the penalty area was confiscated.

In the 11th minute, Robertson, who continued to step forward to assist, made a cross from the left in the free kick melee, but Maguire missed the goal with a header from the edge of the penalty area.

In the 21st minute, Arnold, who assisted on the right, passed back to the center, Firmino passed the ball, and Salah shot high from 2 yards after getting rid of the two.

In the 31st minute, Robertson made a pass from the bottom and was blocked by the Crystal Palace defender. Zhang Mai sent a corner kick and made a pass from the left. Mane's close-range attack was confiscated by Hennessey.

Crystal Palace's dominant midfield was held back by Zhang Mai and others, and they failed to organize an effective offensive at all. On the contrary, it was Arnold and Robertson who made the Crystal Palace's side like a sieve.

In the 38th minute, Zhang Mai intercepted Ward's pass in the frontcourt and tore through the defense line of Crystal Palace with a round moon scimitar. Salah on the right formed a single-handed ball, but the Egyptian's lob shot was exhausted. Hennessey made a save to the baseline.

Milner sent a corner kick. Van Dijk, who was in front of the goal, and Zhang Mai, who was in the back, made an alley-oop. In the end, Zhang Mai headed the ball into the empty goal at the right post.

1-0!Liverpool, who completely suppressed their opponents, finally scored.

With the last 5 minutes left in the game, Liverpool continued to put pressure on the opponent.

In the 43rd minute, Salah got another chance. After receiving Zhang Mai's split, the Egyptian shot from the edge of the penalty area and was blocked by the defender.

Crystal Palace only got their first shot of the first half before the end of the game. Pang Qiong burst into the left side of the penalty area and was saved by Mignolet.

The two sides fought again in another place, and Allardyce stubbornly did not adjust the formation of Crystal Palace. Liverpool continued to put pressure on the opponent from both sides.

In the 48th minute, Milner directly shot a free kick from 20 yards slightly higher.

In the 52nd minute, Zhang Mai's corner kick was cleared by the Crystal Palace defender, and Henderson's volley from 25 yards was saved.

Crystal Palace almost broke the goal in the 55th minute. Loftus-Cheek cut into the right side of the penalty area and passed back.

In the 62nd minute, it was Zhang Mai who broke through the middle and scored again. Firmino shot from the left side of the penalty area and missed the far corner slightly.

In the 71st minute, Robertson and Salah, who assisted on the left, played an exquisite cooperation. Salah made a wall pass, and Robertson also shot high from the left side of the penalty area.

In the 75th minute, probably because he felt that the Red Army had completely controlled the situation on the field, Klopp sent Sturridge to replace Salah.

In the 79th minute, Arnold made a pass from the right. Both Mane and Milner's shots were blocked. There was chaos in the penalty area. In the end, Mane's low shot from the edge of the penalty area was confiscated by Hennessey.

Liverpool continued to make substitutions, and Solanke replaced Zhang Mai.

After Zhang Mai left the field, the situation of the Crystal Palace still did not improve, and Benteke, who was resurrected with full blood, still could not receive the pass from his own midfielder.

Liverpool broke the deadlock again in the 85th minute. Mane made a pass from the left and continued to advance. Milivojevic made an interception error. Firmino in the middle passed the ball back. Mane shoveled into the net in front of the small penalty area.

2-0!Liverpool sealed the victory.

Liverpool then launched several waves of offensives, continuing to leave the Crystal Palace side helpless.

In the 91st minute, Liverpool implemented a tactical substitution and Firmino was replaced by Lovren.

At the end of the game, the Red Army, which had tried the "hard core midfielder + sharp winger" formation for the first time, defeated the visiting Crystal Palace 2-0 and won the second consecutive league victory.

(End of this chapter)