LIVERPOOL are on the verge of clinching the Premier League title after overpowering champions Manchester City on Sunday.

The Reds delivered an exceptional away display, securing a 2-0 victory at the Etihad.

Mo Salah’s brilliance propelled Liverpool to triumph over Man City.

Magic was evident throughout the pitch from Arne Slot’s squad.

But how did Mo Salah outsmart City with a clever back-pedal maneuver?

And which midfielder executed Liverpool’s tactics flawlessly?

SunSport’s tactical analyst Dean Scoggins shares insights on our outstanding Tactics Exposed show…

Mo Salah has had an incredible season to date.

 

ONE MAN WENT TO MO

MO SALAH is tactically astute. His back-pedal move might seem simple, but it’s all about timing.

When Josko Gvardiol, the left-back for Man City, advances, Salah waits until he’s near Nathan Ake, the left center-back.

Once the ball enters a specific area, he back-pedals towards the touchline, taking a few steps back.

This serves two purposes: he creates space to receive the ball, and Gvardiol is caught off guard. He’s behind Salah, and Ake is left in a tough spot.

Does Ake venture out, allowing room for other Liverpool players to sprint? Or does he remain stationary, giving Salah that opening?

Salah has burned him on the outside before. The last time Ake chose differently, Jones surged through, leaving Ake powerless.

For Szoboszlai’s goal, Salah positions himself perfectly, with Gvardiol having his back turned. If you spot another player’s jersey number, it’s a win for you.

 

Salah then darts into that area, and it’s all about timing. With a brilliant touch on the ball, a slight nudge on Gvardiol, he backs in and passes it to Szoboszlai, who enters the box.

Salah’s smart positioning made it hard for City to track him.

He effectively exploited the space around Gvardiol and Ake.

In the disallowed goal by Jones, Salah positioned himself wide while Ryan Gravenberch attempted a tricky pass.

Salah executed the same back-pedal tactic, then as Gravenberch was set to pass, Salah said, “Not me, I don’t want it. Turn and slip it behind.”

The City defense shifted as a result, opening a run for Szoboszlai. You could see two vertical runners from midfield, with the two wide players stretching the defense.

Salah’s exceptional tactical awareness allows him to read situations as they unfold. We’re talking Lionel Messi levels here, and that’s no exaggeration.

BLOCKERS IN THE SLOT

THIS is a move straight from the training ground for the first goal.

Liverpool planned to take a free corner to the front post, featuring a player running off the front to play the ball around the corner.

Andy Robertson acted as a blocker upfront, preventing Kevin De Bruyne from reaching the ball.

10Liverpool used clever blockers at set-pieces

Three other blockers positioned themselves on the edge, leaving Salah unmarked.

Liverpool recognized that City positioned themselves just outside the six-yard box, creating a vast open space at the penalty area’s edge.

The blockers hindered City players from advancing, the ball was flicked around the corner, and Salah found himself in plenty of space.

After the goal, it also led to uncertainty from City, making Liverpool’s subsequent set-pieces highly threatening.

City fell for it completely. A bit of luck with the deflection, but you create your fortune.

 

 

SZO-BOSSING IT

SZOBOSLAI was the standout player on the pitch aside from Salah.

He effectively executes the manager’s strategies.

The midfielder initiates a third-man run as the ball is played back to Salah.

Salah then returns it to Trent Alexander-Arnold, who knows the ball will go over the top.

Szoboszlai runs into the space for the trick. He’s offside, leaving Ake exposed. The focus shifts to Szoboszlai.

This functions as a decoy run, allowing Salah to sneak in, a ghost run.

The offside player re-engages. He’s technically offside, but since he’s not touching the ball or impacting the play, he remains valid.

His movement affects a defender’s ability to challenge Salah. He enters the space, Gvardiol turns his back, and Ake moves across.

They all mistakenly believe it’s offside and hesitate, but as the ball soars, Salah makes his move.

Salah is onside, collects the ball, Szoboszlai moves into the space, and Salah plays it to him — goal.

It marks a new phase of play; Salah’s onside, and City drops back. A significant gap opens up, with Jones also blocking Khusanov. Simply brilliant.

IT’S 4-4-2 AGAIN

OLD school tactics. A major reason Liverpool lead is Arne Slot’s ability to adjust his formation based on the opponent.

This was a 4-4-2 without possession, meaning no striker. Salah on the right, Diaz on the left.

Without a striker, they used Jones and Szoboszlai as vertical runners, positioned up front.

 

Gravenberch and Mac Allister could then separate, with Jones and Szoboszlai filling in.

This setup meant the wingers became the attacking players. Four defenders ensured compactness in the midfield, with Diaz and Salah as outlets.

Slot’s strategy was brilliant; Liverpool felt secure without possession and became even more dangerous by moving out of their positions to attack.

 

VAN DIJK STOPS CITY ATTACK

You could observe Van Dijk and Slot coordinating early on.

They understood their roles. The bench communicated a straightforward message: Virgil, you go.

 

Van Dijk typically stays back, managing the defensive line. However, he was instructed to engage Phil Foden.

He was told to be bold in his approach. Konate would cover the space for Omar Marmoush to run into.

It evolved into Mac Allister dropping into zones where Foden operated, so Van Dijk approached one way while Mac Allister blocked the space.

In the second half, they even sacrificed Salah’s attacking role for defense. It was a flawless away performance.