Lille Left Exposed: Liverpool’s Tactical Victory in the Champions League | OneFootball

Comfortable Win for Liverpool Against Lille: Tactical Analysis of a Champions League Clash

Liverpool secured a 2-1 victory over Lille on Matchday 7 of the Champions League, reinforcing their dominance and sealing their position as top contenders in the league phase. Although the scoreline suggested a tight contest, the gulf in quality was apparent. With this result, Liverpool now require just a single point from their remaining match against PSV Eindhoven to ensure top spot. The game also provided an excellent opportunity for fringe players to impress.

Dominance in Key Metrics

Liverpool excelled in several key areas, as seen in the match statistics below:

While Lille outperformed Liverpool in shot quality (xG per shot: 16% vs 11.6%), Liverpool led in xG, shots (+9), and shots on target (+6). Their superiority extended to deep completed passes, penalty area entries, and touches in the box. It was a comprehensive performance that underscored their attacking intent.

This performance was achieved despite the absence of key players like Alexander-Arnold, Mac Allister, and Gakpo, who were rested for this fixture. Their replacements did enough to keep the team functioning seamlessly.

Defensive Concerns on the Flanks

Liverpool’s defensive frailties this season have been concentrated on the flanks. As illustrated by the xT heatmap, significant threats arise from the right byline and the left side, posing challenges for Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas.

In this match, Lille focused their attacks on Conor Bradley’s flank, targeting the young defender repeatedly. However, with Virgil van Dijk marshalling the defence, Lille’s central threat was effectively neutralised.

Lille’s Limited Penetration

Lille’s attacking patterns have leaned heavily on wing play and half-spaces, as seen in their passes into the penalty area in this year’s Champions League.

Liverpool effectively suppressed Lille’s strategy, allowing only three completed passes into the penalty area throughout the game. This defensive discipline was key to nullifying Lille’s threat from wide areas.

Liverpool’s xT and Progressive Play

Liverpool’s chance creation predominantly stemmed from the right half-space near the penalty area. Salah and Elliott were instrumental in exploiting these zones, with Elliott’s and Bradley’s contributions standing out.

Progressive passing statistics further illustrate the reliance on these areas, with Salah and Elliott ranking highly in terms of effectiveness.

Tsimikas, operating on the left, also contributed significantly, balancing Liverpool’s attacking efforts.

High Press and Defensive Work Rate

Under Arne Slot’s management, Liverpool have developed an aggressive pressing game. In this match, they recovered the ball high up the pitch 16 times in Lille’s territory.

Defensively, Darwin Núñez’s energy and determination stood out. Following his two-goal performance at the weekend, he appeared rejuvenated, applying pressure effectively in the final third.

Liverpool’s defensive work rate was also notable. The rankings highlight the contributions of players like Bradley and Salah, who combined defensive grit with offensive creativity.

Shot Selection and Lille’s Struggles

Liverpool’s shot map reveals a focus on high-value opportunities, with seven shots from the danger zone. Salah’s goal was the standout chance, while Lille’s opportunities were limited to just four shots, three of which came from the danger zone. Notably, Jonathan David’s goal accounted for 0.48 of Lille’s total xG of 0.64.

Despite their limited opportunities, Lille’s lack of precision ensured Liverpool’s victory never truly felt in doubt.

Closing Thoughts

This was a match that showcased Liverpool’s depth and resilience. While Lille posed occasional threats, Liverpool’s structure and tactical discipline shone through. It wasn’t a perfect display, but with key players rested and a positive result achieved, it was a valuable outing.

As Liverpool prepare to face PSV Eindhoven, securing top spot remains the priority. While the road to Munich will undoubtedly present greater challenges, performances like this offer a solid foundation for a deep run in the competition.

Credit: Tactical analysis provided by Mark Matrai (@MatraiMark on Twitter) and xfb Analytics for the visuals.