Real Madrid worked wonders by beating Liverpool 5-2 after trailing 2-0, so the question is, why is this big matchup so ups and downs? And how did Carlo Ancelotti's team turn around against the wind?
Liverpool's signature press, Real Madrid suffered from injuries
Sitting at Anfield, Liverpool's tactical play after the opening is predictable, and it is also Klopp's masterpiece: fast attack and ferocious pressing.
Liverpool's attack is mainly on the right side, and a big routine is right-back Alexander-Arnold's adduction, and the use of his footwork is to connect, create and transfer; Right midfielder Henderson pulled the wings and created width, which left Salah room for movement on the right winger.
The first goal was born: Henderson's set-up, which attracted Alaba's defense, Salah was able to send a cross from the corner of the box; Antonio Rudiger went up to block Salah and Núñez was able to cut in from the weak side behind Militão and steal a spot.
The second goal, directly due to Courtois's stoppage error, but Salah seized the opportunity thanks to Liverpool's high pressing: as shown above, in addition to the Egyptian, Gakpo was also in the Real Madrid penalty area, trying to cut off Couva's passing line, while on the outside, Nunez, Henderson and Fabinho were waiting for the opportunity.
For Real Madrid, the lack of two main players in the midfield is a major loss. After Casemiro left, Joan Armeni needed to defend and cover in the single back position, and Tony Kroos's control and passing can largely defuse the opponent's high pressing.
Alignment is key: the Bear Emperor bursts Liverpool's weakness
However, Real Madrid will definitely not be tied down, because they have stronger overall strength and personal ability, and because Klopp's style of play has its well-known weaknesses, Ancelotti will naturally not let go.
Where are the weaknesses? Defend on the right. Right-back Arnold has long been criticized and has been repeatedly beaten by Kaoru Mikata in the Premier League. On the other hand, Uncle Scumbag let him collect in the middle, and once he was counterattacked by Real Madrid, the right side was an open field, allowing Real Madrid left winger Venicius to gallop.
The personal ability of the bear emperor is indeed super, but Real Madrid's first goal, he and Benzema in the ribs, Liverpool players just look at the defense, especially Alexander-Arnold and Gomes, in their own penalty area did not press closely, leaving space for the Brazilian wings to shoot, is it not a hand-to-hand goal?
Looking at the equaliser's goal, the most direct reason is, of course, Alisson's mistake, but when Valverde breaks the ball in midfield, look where is Alexander-Arnold's position? There is simply no way to defend back. Vinicius played smarter, he did not go to the left wing, but directly attacked right-back Gomes, using speed to pressure the opponent back, and finally Liverpool made a big mistake.
Liverpool had a psychological breakdown, and Real Madrid's comeback came naturally
With a 2-0 lead to a 2-2 draw, Liverpool's confidence has been hit, coupled with huge physical exertion, and the pressing intensity has plummeted. At the beginning of the second half, Militão's header hit their psyche even harder, because this leak was very amateur, and Liverpool's defenders were like stakes.
The collapse of the psychological defence was evident in the fourth goal, Benzema took the ball, the Liverpool midfielders had panicked and lost their minds, and the two experienced veterans Fabinho and Henderson had retreated into the box, where it was 5-0! This left Real Madrid's four attacking players untargeted, and Benzema's shot, although there was an element of luck, was inevitable.
As for the fifth goal, it was a repetition of the second goal: Modric pushed after breaking the ball, Vinicius cut behind Gomez, and Alexander-Arnold watched from a distance in the opposing half, not bothering to even make a symbolic return.
In short, Vinicius finished Arnold + Gomez, which became the key to Real Madrid's reversal, and this is a natural comparison of advantages and disadvantages, in the second leg, will Kropp abandon Arnold? Will Arnold's defense get better all of a sudden? If not, then we can expect the bear emperor to continue to erupt.