Recreating a Rafa Benitez Liverpool tactic (2008-2009)?

[YOSHIMITSU33]

First of all my english is not perfect so I can't write lenghty posts.

Okay,so basically what I want to make is a tactic that replicates the style used by Rafa at Liverpool during the season (2008-2009) that Liverpool had a lot of matches won by 3 or 4 goals difference,but I am currently struggling in recreating it and having only about 6 or 7 shots a game of which only about 2 are on target,while the opposition completely dominates me with 10-15 shots a game.And this is against teams from the lower table This is how my tactic looks like:

Any help on how to make a better tactic out of this that will at least partially look like Liverpool from that season will be really,really appreciated

[Draigh]

Just a couple of things I noticed on first sight:

- Weren't Benitez' Liverpool often playing on the break? Especially with Alonso's long passing (hence why Allen probably isn't the right player for that role) and Torres' pace. Perhaps a counter strategy would open up more space to attack?

- Your attack may be slightly static, with Sturridge always playing on the shoulder and Gerrard making no forward runs. Torres was always working the channels, pulling defenders wide and creating space. Perhaps play Sturridge as AF(a) to get him to move about, creating space and then set Gerrard to AM(s/a) to take advantage of that along with Suarez.

- With neither of your DM's making runs forward you definately need players moving up to connect defence and attack. I'd suggest moving one or both of your fullbacks to FB(a) or any wingback role, or a combination of those.

[ModernLefty]

I know you are looking to adapt with Liverpool's recent players but I'll do my best to suggest how I would set up the 2008/2009 Liverpool in Benitez's style as a reference point.

First thing I remembered in to this was something written about philosophies in Tactical Theorems 10.

Again, Benitez may not readily come to mind as a “fluid” manager, but his teams do rely on this sort of methodology – half defend, half attack. As the holding midfield players and defence stay back and hold the fort, the attacking midfielders and striker look to open up the opposition defence. When it plays well, it is quite fluid as the forward players move in and out of each other looking for space, but it also provides the defensive steel which means that Liverpool only lost two games in the 2008/09 league season. A lack of creative freedom, width and attacking intent, however, can lead Benitez’s side to look sluggish and boring at times.

Tactical Theorems 10.

So for general settings I would probably suggest it us:

Philosophy: Fluid

Strategy: Counter

Passing Style: More direct/ (though possibly Default)

Creative Freedom: More disciplined

Closing down: Stand Off more/(default)

Tackling: Default

Marking: Zonal

Crosses: Default (Looking back at 2008/9 footage on youtube, Torres scored a fair few with his head as well.)

Roaming: Default/More roaming (I have a fond memory of a Dirk Kuyt hatrick of tap in goals from that time, so I think the players were allowed to roam quite heavily)

Focus Passing: Mixed

Counter Attack: Yes

Torres-CF/A (or AF/A I thought originally I'd put him as an advanced forward, but when I watched the old footage, it seems that he created a fair bit as well, it was at that point when he had the lot you want from a Striker, strong quick, clinical, but technical enough to link up play, and play others in.)

Reira- Winger Support (Fairly standard, not particularly quick, looked to assist the others)

Gerrard- AM(S) (Now if you could play a Box to Box midfielder in the AM slot that was Steven Gerrard at this time, up and down the pitch all game, game after game. The AM(S) was chosen as he excelled at late runs into the box and his long shots from those, and he fed Torres throughballs and thrived in the pocket of space that Torres' pace created in pushing back opposition defenders. )

Kuyt- DW(A) (Maybe with 'Moves into channels' instruction, Famed for working hard for the team and tracking back, but when he got forward he drifted into space off the line and found space to put away plenty of classic poachers goals.)

Alonso- DLP(S) (The brain of the team, superb long range passer with a brilliant football intelligence, who linked attack and defense.) Edit: (Maybe a DLP (Defend) I think what I'm thinking is that when one of the supported the other one sat deeper, so the roles probably shifted situationally mid game.)

Mascherano- DM(S) (I thought originally he should be a DM(D), but looking at footage he was more than just a stationary defensive midfield destroyer, he had the ability to get forward occasionally, and support play, even scored a few goals.) Edit: I think he probably should be a DM/D now, he was behind he ball 95% of the time.

Aurelio-FB(A) ((Possibly Wingback Attack) Attacking fullback, defensively abit shoddy, typical Brazilian fullback)

Carragher (CB(Stopper) Bit slow, but like Terry, great defensive awareness, bravery and understanding.)

Skrtel (Ball playing defender (cover) Good on the the ball, decent pace and anticipation, allowing him to cover well for the pressing Carragher)

Arbeloa (Fullback (support) Not particularly fast, but defensively solid, provided a bit going forward, but not an out and out attacking fullback.)

Reina- Sweeper Keeper (D) (Didn't see much footage bar his saves, but from FM attributes and my recollection, he was happy to distribute accurately and have the ball at his feet, he just didn't do it particularly riskily)

Hope that helps.

P.S. Obviously tailor it to the players you have.

An example would be that of Yossi Benayoun in the team that year, the role he would probably play would have probably been an Advanced Playmaker (Attack), in either the LAM or RAM role.

[SJ234]

Key thing I think when trying to recreate an old tactic is unless you are going to buy replica players you should be fitting your players into the style of the team and then use the roles appropriate for those players. I would go for something along these lines for that Liverpool team. Fluid, default passing and a counter strategy otherwise the same as what you have. In terms of the player roles I think with the starter squad I would go for: Reina (sk D); Johnson (Fb a); agger bpd, skrtel cd, Enrique Fb(a); gerrard in the alonso role (dlp s), Lucas (dm) d; downing winger support, coutinho (inside forward support), Sturridge inside forward (a); suarez (cf a) Sorry for how messy that is but i am on my phone. I would say the key parts of that team and thus the roles shouldn't change is the alonso role and his partner should be a dm (d) also. The rest should be customised to suit your squad. The roles I suggested were guesses at what best suits your players. However with a fluid philosophy you should only have two specialised roles at most. As you can see there is no clear answer it is a balancing act.

[peleJunior]

As I remember it, Mascherano was a Ball winning midfielder protecting the 'quarter back' alonso (DLP). Gerrard was more like an Attacking Midfileder on attack duty not a treq. It was a fluid style that pressed alot.

[Plainlayzee]

As stated above, you will struggle to re-create the same tactic unless you have players of similar stats and tendencies.

If I remember rightly (I am a LFC fan) - Arbeloa and the LB (Riise?) weren't that attacking, it was a pretty flat back 4. Mascherano would sit in front and act as the 'destroy' - Sissoko played a similar role when he was there. Simply job of breaking up play and moving the ball the Alonso. Alonso played as a quarter back and sprayed the passes round the pitch. Normally Alonso would aim long passes either into Torres's feet or out wide for the wingers. Gerrard would burst from the CM position and support Torres, Kuyt and in the season you refer to I think it was mainly Albert Reira.

Trying to get the current LFC squad to play this way could be difficult. The wingers now are quicker but not as strong, the CM don't have as good passing except for Allen, although he plays it short not long. Gerrard's legs aren't anywhere near as good and Suarez drifts out wide whereas Torres stayed very central on the shoulder of the last man.

Good luck to you!

[SJ234]

I think you can recreate the style though as with Gerrard there is the player to play in the QB role. Which to my mind is the key role along with the destroyer. Otherwise I would think you could change the rest and keep the style and it would b vaguely similar.

[Plainlayzee]

Maybe he could sign players similar to Kuyt and Riera etc, mascherano as well. Find them on the game and press the find similar button and see who pops up?

[SJ234]

I would agree with that. I would look to copy the style first then attempt copy the players. To do that I wouldn't recommend that method simply because the players won't necessarily be as good or the same as they were then. Don't see how Suarez fits in a perfect replica for starters though.

[ModernLefty]

Suarez could play the Gerrard (AM) role in the system pretty well, he's not identical, but he's got a similiar skill set, hard working, decent stamina, creative, decent passer of the ball, and a good eye for goal from that kind of distance. Probably even slightly better dribbling ability.

[SJ234]

Not sure he is creative enough for it. I think to replicate it there are better players in the game. If just trying to copy the style then I would have him upfront

[ModernLefty]

There's only 2 points in it, he has 15 creativity, its only 2 points less than Gerrard, and he can bring the benefits of his dribbling skill set to the role, okay so he may not be 100% perfect for the role, and sure there are players in the entire FM database who might be slightly better but he certainly isn't a bad player for it with the players liverpool have.

I'm not sure I would as he isn't the complete forward that Torres was at that point, he is much more naturally a second striker/AM, he cannot hold it up in the way Torres did at that point in time, he doesn't have the aerial ability, probably Sturridge is the most natural replacement for Torres with the players Liverpool currently have, though by no means is he a perfect replacement.

[SJ234]

Well my point was that if you want to exactly replicate it he doesn't properly fit either position. I think he would be a better fit upfront generally though. I think the aerial issue isn't a big worry as his dribbling ability will make up for it imo. This is the poit though unless you build the squad exactly the same you have to make adaptions.

[ModernLefty]

I totally agree that you have to adapt to what you have, as I mentioned in the post above, I just made the above post as a reference to how I considered the team to play, if it was a help to the OP great, but really I did it to get me thinking and have it down somewhere.

[lemeures]

I would put Suarez on one of the wings. Maybe not as defensive but the work rate will get similar, possibly more effective results than Kuyt. Definitely more effective than Riera at creating chances, on a support you should get a good balance of playing others and running in himself

Gerrard into Alonsos old role maybe