Three at the back may well allow this to happen as the wing backs can move completely up and down the flanks with abandon, whilst leaving extra bodies in the middle of the pitch. The diagrams attached to this article show how the 3-5-2 may work for Brendan in defence and attack.
In defence we can see just how compact the team is, squeezing space making it hard to thread passes through and creating a narrow zone between midfield and attack as shown in yellow. It also shows a hugely compact centre and much like chess, a team controlling this zone will typically do well during the match and the close proximity of players in this orange area can in theory give this required control.
In attack we can see the number of passing options, particularly the diagonal and forward passes – and with players with the required skills this can be a devastating formation. The difficulty is obviously securing players of the required quality to make the system work, but also in executing it with the required speed. Currently Liverpool struggle in both counts. The quality of player is improving with experience and maybe in time they will adapt successfully. However, their greatest strength is also proving one of their weaknesses – Suarez.
His genius as a footballer is clear. Some of the things he can do are amazing. He also counter attacks brilliantly and works hard for the team. But he is being used in a role that causes problems to Liverpool’s attack as often when he hits the danger zones around the box he slows down the play, often waiting for support which of course gives the opposition time regroup and close the spaces.
Tellingly many of Liverpool’s goals this season have come from set pieces as they are lacking the speed and penetration in the final third to turn their ever increasing proportion of possession into meaningful chances and thereby goals.
Another key advantage of the third man at the back and adopting a possession based game is the reintroduction of the libero – the free roaming centre back moving forward into midfield to begin attacks carefully and deliberately. In Daniel Agger Liverpool may have a player able ‘to do a job’ there for now, but more likely is that Rodgers will be coaching his youth players to meet that role in the next season or two.
As Jonathon Wilson predicted in his fantastic book, ‘Inverting the Pyramid’, now Spain have introduced an offensive formation with no designated striker, the next logical progression is to remove unnecessary defenders and reposition them elsewhere – i.e. in midfield. Mancini and Rodgers may well be ahead of the game in this respect, or they could just be crazy. We shall see.
What do you think? What is the future of football formations? Is three at the back here to stay? I welcome your comments!
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