The pressing machine

Hello and warm welcome to the latest edition of our newsletter! In this issue, the following topics take center stage:

1. ⚽Jürgen Klopp's Pressing: Practical Example

2. 👉3 New Exercises!

⚽Jürgen Klopp's Pressing: Practical Example

Jürgen Klopp has not only brought immense joy to German football but also coined several defining terms. He often describes his teams as either "pressing machines" or "pressing monsters." Klopp's affinity for the term "pressing" is well-founded: Few coaches have explored the nuances of effective pressing as thoroughly as he has.

Already at Borussia Dortmund, this was the hallmark of his two-time championship-winning team. Similarly, in Liverpool, pressing was a cornerstone of his success. During the 2018/19 season, Klopp's sophisticated pressing system was a significant factor in Liverpool's Champions League victory. It is markedly more complex than Sacchi's system.

This example combines the idea of pressing triggers with pressing traps:

The three forward players advance deep into the opponent's penalty area, blocking passing lanes to prevent easy options, yet they do not immediately engage in pressing. In the confined space around their own penalty area, the opponent is initially allowed to pass the ball. Perhaps they won't even attempt to build up play against the high-positioned Liverpool players, opting instead to play a long ball immediately?

However, Liverpool's opponents seldom resorted to this strategy. In the Champions League, Liverpool faced teams such as Bayern Munich, FC Barcelona, and Tottenham Hotspur, all of whom favored short passing. Consequently, these teams endeavored to start their play against Liverpool with quick, ground-level passes.

So Liverpool's primary task was to guide the opponent's ground-level passes into desired channels. Quite literally, through sophisticated pressing traps, Liverpool forced specific passing lanes upon their opponents. If the opponent began their build-up with a pass near the penalty area, Liverpool would transition into pressing. However, this was by no means done in a sudden or aggressive manner.

A player from the wing advanced towards the ball carrier, preventing them from passing to the wide areas. He approached the opponent in a curved path, ensuring the opposing full-back stayed within his defensive cover behind him.

In these situations, Liverpool set up to limit the opponent to just one passing lane: through the center. However, a Liverpool player was strategically positioned there, ready to immediately pressure the recipient of the pass. Charging at full speed, he aimed for physical contact as soon as the ball reached the opponent. This approach aimed for optimal ball recovery for Liverpool. Meanwhile, other players covered the opponent's options around the ball, forming a compact pressing trap specifically for passes out wide.

Liverpool's full-backs prepared to advance forward as soon as the pass was made. If the ball indeed went out wide, the next pressing trap was already waiting there. At this point, Liverpool had a firm grip on the opponent. The opposing player on the wing was effectively isolated.

The center-back behind him was covered by the player who initiated the pressing. The central midfielder who passed the ball to him was also marked by the player who had previously attacked him. The player with the ball immediately faced an opponent sprinting towards him at full speed. In pressing situations, Liverpool operated like a snake, gradually tightening its grip on its prey.

Above all, Klopp cleverly exploited the opponent's tendencies: Knowing that Liverpool's opponents preferred playing out from the back with short passes, his players could capitalize on this. They were aware that the opposition typically aimed to avoid direct passes to their full-backs, a strategic insight that dates back to Sacchi's era and the challenges associated with such tactics.

Accordingly, Liverpool initially presented the opponent with an enticing option: a pass directly into the central midfield, where their most skilled players were positioned. Liverpool gave the opponent exactly what they appeared to desire, knowing they could still defend the attack effectively. Ultimately, the ball ended up exactly where Liverpool intended to regain possession. In most cases, the opponent's attack came to an abrupt halt.

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