Tactical Preview: How Liverpool Can Exploit Manchester City’s Vulnerabilities

Liverpool’s upcoming clash with Manchester City promises to be a defining moment in the title race. While Pep Guardiola’s side has long been hailed for their tactical brilliance, cracks have started to appear in recent performances. Despite their dominance in games, City have been wasteful in front of goal, scoring only 22 goals from 24.1 xG (Goals generated) in the Premier League this season.

This lack of clinical finishing, combined with recent tactical vulnerabilities exposed by Brighton and Tottenham, presents Liverpool with an opportunity to capitalize. This tactical preview analyzes how Liverpool can exploit City’s defensive weaknesses out of possession (OOP), avoid their high-press traps, and maintain discipline against their intricate positional play (IP).

Exposing City’s Pressing and Defensive Vulnerabilities

Manchester City’s defensive structure out of possession (OOP) often operates in a 4-4-2 or 4-2-4 mid-block, depending on game dynamics. Brighton’s tactical setup revealed cracks in City’s pressing system. City struggled to maintain compactness, leaving passing lanes open and allowing Brighton’s strikers to create chaos with opposite movements.

For Liverpool, the focus should be on building attacks that stretch City’s defensive block and force positional errors. Brighton’s approach of using Danny Welbeck and João Pedro to pull City’s center-backs and midfielders out of position can be replicated by Darwin Núñez and Dominik Szoboszlai/ Curtis Jones, who possess the movement and creativity to disrupt City’s structure.

Brighton’s success was due to their often-bypassing City’s first line of the press through clever body positioning and quick vertical combinations. Virgil van Dijk finding those “cute passes” to Ryan Gravenberch on the half-turn will be key.

For Liverpool, the focus should be on building attacks that stretch City’s defensive block and force positional errors. Brighton’s approach of using Danny Welbeck and João Pedro to pull City’s center-backs and midfielders out of position can be replicated by Darwin Núñez and Dominik Szoboszlai/Curtis Jones, who possess the movement and creativity to disrupt City’s structure.

Brighton’s success was due to their often-bypassing City’s first line of the press through clever body positioning and quick vertical combinations. Virgil van Dijk finding those “cute passes” to Ryan Gravenberch on the half-turn will be key.

Additionally, Brighton’s use of long balls over the top to exploit City’s high line is an area Liverpool can replicate. Kelleher’s accurate distribution and Van Dijk’s long passing could target Salah or Díaz running in behind, catching City’s backline off-guard helping bypass City’s first pressing wave and exploit the space in wide zones.

Darwin Núñez can play a pivotal role for Liverpool by dropping between the lines to link play, drawing City’s defenders out of position. Núñez’s movement can free up space for runners like Salah and Díaz to exploit City’s defensive gaps. Szoboszlai and Mac Allister, with their ability to carry the ball through midfield, can also be key in launching transitions directly through City’s core.

Stretching City’s Defense and Exploiting Wide Areas

City’s use of fullbacks in possession often leaves them vulnerable in transition. Against Tottenham, Kyle Walker and Joško Gvardiol’s advanced positions were repeatedly exploited when Spurs won possession, creating space in wide areas. Similarly, Brighton leveraged the movements of Kaoru Mitoma and Danny Welbeck to stretch City’s defensive line, unlocking the flanks with quick switches and overlapping runs.

Liverpool’s wide attackers – Luis Díaz and Mohamed Salah – are key to exploiting this vulnerability. Díaz, facing Walker, can pin the right-back deeper, while Salah can use his direct running at or behind Gvardiol. Overlapping support from Andrew Robertson and Alexander-Arnold adds a layer of unpredictability, forcing City’s backline to defend both inside and out.

Brighton’s emphasis on diagonal runs behind City’s fullbacks also presents a roadmap for Liverpool. Salah’s ability to time his runs, coupled with Alexander-Arnold’s range of passing, could punish City’s high defensive line. Similarly, Díaz’s movement off the ball can create overloads on the left, drawing City’s defenders out of position and opening gaps in their defensive structure.

Disrupting City’s Build-Up

When City are in possession (IP), they typically buildup in a 3-2-5 shape, with Rico Lewis or John Stones inverting alongside Mateo Kovačić as the double pivot. Phil Foden and Ilkay Gündoğan are tasked with operating between the lines to facilitate progression. However, Brighton disrupted this structure by using disciplined man-marking on the pivots and blocking central passing lanes.

Liverpool can adopt a similar strategy by leveraging Alexander-Arnold’s hybrid role to step into midfield and cut off passing lanes to Lewis or Kovačić. Dominik Szoboszlai and Darwin Nunez must ensure that City’s deep-lying players – such as Rúben Dias or John Stones – are forced into uncomfortable decisions by closing down central options early.

Brighton’s success also came from preventing City’s build-up through the half-spaces. Igor’s aggressive positioning on Foden limited City’s ability to progress centrally, often forcing them to play wide. For Liverpool, Ibrahima Konaté and Virgil van Dijk must maintain a compact backline, stepping forward when necessary to prevent City from finding Haaland and Ryan Gravenberch to track other runners between the lines.

Defensive Adjustments to Neutralize City’s Threats

While Liverpool have the tools to exploit City’s vulnerabilities, they must also remain vigilant against their attacking threats. Guardiola’s side excels at creating chances through intricate positional play, particularly in the half-spaces. Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva are adept at operating between the lines, while Erling Haaland’s movement and physicality in the box are constant dangers.

Brighton limited City’s progression by having Igor step aggressively into midfield to block passing lanes, a tactic Liverpool can employ with Konaté or Alexander-Arnold. Meanwhile, Szoboszlai and Gravenberch must track runners like Gündoğan and Foden to prevent City from creating overloads in central areas.

Maintaining a compact backline is also essential. Van Dijk and Konaté must ensure Haaland is closely monitored, preventing him from finding space for cutbacks or late runs into the box. Communication between Liverpool’s center-backs and midfielders will be key to avoiding the positional disorganization that City often capitalizes on.

Conclusion: A Tactical Battle for the Title Race

Liverpool’s clash with Manchester City presents both opportunities and challenges. By exploiting City’s vulnerabilities out of possession – particularly in transitions and wide areas – Liverpool can disrupt Guardiola’s tactical setup. At the same time, maintaining defensive discipline and neutralizing City’s intricate positional play will be crucial to avoiding costly mistakes.

Arne Slot has a blueprint to follow, with Brighton and Tottenham having exposed City’s weaknesses in recent weeks. If Liverpool can strike the right balance between aggression and control, this game could define their title challenge and serve as a tactical masterclass in exploiting one of Europe’s best teams.

By: Rohit Kumaran / @kumaran_rohit3

Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Visionhaus – Getty Images