Hamzah on Liverpool’s dominance over Man City: “A systematic Swiss army knife approach that punished Man City” | OneFootball

Liverpool 2-0 Man City: A Tactical Masterclass on The Under Pressure Podcast

Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Manchester City was a statement win, and the Under Pressure Podcast on Anfield Index dissected the performance in forensic detail. Hosted by Dan Kennett, Simon Brundish, Phil Barter, and Hamzah Khalique-Loonat, the discussion highlighted the tactical nuances, pressing efficiency, and statistical dominance that defined Arne Slot’s side in this top-of-the-table clash.

Liverpool’s Pressing Prowess: A Well-Executed Strategy

One of the key talking points was Liverpool’s pressing intensity, particularly their ability to nullify City’s threats through an aggressive, coordinated press. Simon Brundish noted, “The incessant nature of the intensity of Szoboszlai and Lucho is understated… and Jones as well. We’ve talked about how good Curtis Jones is at pressing, but I don’t think we’ve talked enough about Lucho’s pressing.”

The statistics backed up this assertion, with Phil Barter revealing, “Szoboszlai is top of the entire Premier League for counter pressing—total counter presses per 90 and counter pressing duration.” Meanwhile, Hamzah Khalique-Loonat pointed out, “Mac Allister is top of the league for regains from pressing activities.” The high-intensity work off the ball from Liverpool’s midfield was pivotal in keeping City’s attacking threats at bay.

Photo: IMAGO

Liverpool’s Defensive Organisation: The Trent Conundrum

Despite Trent Alexander-Arnold being dribbled past numerous times by Jeremy Doku, the Under Pressure team emphasised how Liverpool had structured their defensive shape to minimise any real danger. Hamzah explained, “If Doku was running past Trent and moving infield, he was running into Gravenberch, Konaté, and occasionally Szoboszlai. There was just a lot of support there.”

The defensive solidity was further reinforced by Liverpool’s control of the central spaces, as Dan Kennett observed: “City had one shot inside the box all game. They had no threat centrally.” Liverpool’s backline, marshalled by Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté, ensured that despite City’s 13 shots, the quality of those efforts remained low.

Trent and Salah: A Partnership Rekindled

One of the standout moments from the podcast was the focus on the Trent-Salah connection. Despite an underwhelming overall performance, Trent produced one of the defining moments of the match. Simon Brundish summed it up: “Trent’s got this artistry… he will pass the ball five yards in 17 different ways. And when it works, it’s beautiful.”

Liverpool’s second goal epitomised this. Simon continued: “Trent clips a lovely ball into Mo, who returns the favour to Szoboszlai, and he just rolls it in.” Dan Kennett highlighted the significance of this relationship, stating, “Trent to Mo was the highest connection in the team other than Ali to Konaté and Ali to Van Dijk.”

Photo: IMAGO

Shot Suppression and Game Management

The closing stages of the podcast emphasised Liverpool’s ability to manage the game effectively after going 2-0 up. Hamzah noted: “Man City had eight shots in the second half, two on target, four blocked. The shot quality was really poor because the block was in front of them.”

While City persisted with possession-heavy football, Phil Barter pointed out, “Liverpool played short, sharp sequences—49% of our passing chains were five passes or fewer. Meanwhile, City had 33% of theirs in the high range, 16 passes or more.” This adaptability was a hallmark of Arne Slot’s tactical blueprint.

Conclusion: A Statement Victory

This was not just a routine win—it was a tactical masterclass. As Hamzah Khalique-Loonat concluded, “This was a systematic, Swiss army knife approach—we found their weakness, were better than them in that area, and punished them.”

Liverpool’s performance showcased their evolution under Arne Slot, blending pressing intensity, defensive resilience, and structured attacking transitions. With stats and analysis reinforcing what was seen on the pitch, the Under Pressure Podcast once again provided an unparalleled breakdown of an elite-level contest.