Liverpool – West Ham United: Substitute Moles Outmaneuver A Near Whack (2-1)

David Moyes’ West Ham provided one of the sturdiest deep blocks that the Anfield stands might have ever seen. The visitors ceremoniously allowed their opponents all the possession in the world and managed to not crack at all while they sat back in their 5-4-1 stronghold. Sadly for West Ham, this was the case prior to one small, ingenious tweak that led to their unfortunate demise. 
Tactical analysis and match report by Peter Munnelly.

Looking to make it four wins on the bounce in all competitions, and to at least temporarily take the top of the league, Klopp’s team selection differed quite significantly from the side that beat Midtjylland 2-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Back to their accustomed 4-3-3 system, only Jordan Henderson kept his place out of those ahead of the back four. Most notably returning to the side were Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, and Sadio Mané. Away from the frontline, however, Fabinho was added to the casualty list, as the twenty-three-year-old Nathaniel Phillips was drafted into the eleven in the Brazilian’s place alongside Joe Gomez.

Following a worrying start to their 2020/21 league campaign, Moyes had spun together a run of four games without defeat, coming against no less than Wolves, Leicester, Spurs and Manchester City. So, looking to cause a similar, even if less devastating upset to the one Aston Villa did at the beginning of the month, the manager named just one change from the side that earned a point against City.

In-form striker Michail Antonio had suffered an injury in the intervening period since their last match, so in came Sébastien Haller to . . .