Cottage Tactico: Liverpool’s risk and reward balance

What is particularly notable about Andoni Iraola’s defensive approach?

A) He always uses an aggressive man-to-man marking system.
B) He prefers his team to avoid pressing high up the pitch.
C) His team can change pressing approach depending on certain cues.

What does The Cottage Tactico suggest is changing about possession in modern football?

A) Top teams are becoming much more dominant in possession.
B) Differences in possession between teams are becoming less pronounced.
C) Possession is becoming less relevant to successful teams.

What makes Bradley Barcola particularly suited to Liverpool’s approach?

A) He has the ability to drive with the ball and attack the space when games start to open up.
B) His technical quality in congested areas of the pitch allows Liverpool to hold on to the ball.
C) He is used to playing in the kind of offensive system that Iraola favours.

‘…the resulting joy had by Newcastle and Forest, particularly with pace in transition, raised some eyebrows’.
What does raised some eyebrows mean?

A) Made people laugh.
B) Caused surprise, shock or mild disapproval.
C) Got people’s attention.

‘So why were people so intrigued by whether Iraola would succeed at a top club?’
What does intrigued mean?

A) Sceptical.
B) Interested, curious.
C) Indifferent.

‘…Virgil reliably remains pretty imperious both in the air and on the deck and organises everyone around him.’
What does imperious mean?

A) Domineering, commanding, authoritative.
B) Unpredictable and dangerous.
C) Reluctant to take responsibility.

Liverpool have started the season playing a lot more long balls than they did last season under Arne Slot.

Liverpool have averaged less possession this season than Fulham.

The Cottage Tactico thinks Cody Gakpo could be well suited to the way Iraola likes to play.