But I do have a feeling that should Klopp want to, he could bring back the speed and aggression we were used to at the back end of last season.
As good as this sounds, I do not think that it the cause behind the poor displays.
When you have a team, there is a culture and philosophy that you build around.
Pep Guardiola
āPeople say that ball possession might not be the most important thing but for me, it is the most important thing,ā Guardiola said. āItās the first step and then the second, third and fourth steps can come after. With the ball, you have more possibilities to create something and to concede fewer chances.
āI have a lot of respect for my players and when they decided to become footballers, they wanted to play with the ball. Itās not only about running. Itās all about having the ball, playing and dealing with the ball. Because we have had the ball, we have scored a lot of goals and havenāt conceded a lot.ā
This was Sarri
āI like it when the team is in control of the match, I like very much the ball possession, I like to play in the other half.ā
āBall possession, but at a very high speed. Mental speed, first of all, not only ball possession in my half. Maybe Iāve learned it from a lot of lost matches, I think!ā
This was Emery
āMy idea is to be protagonists,ā he said. āThe history here is a team that love playing with possession and I like that personality. When you donāt have possession, I want a squad that are very, very intensive with the pressing. The two things are important for me to be protagonists ā possession of the ball and pressing when you donāt have the ball.ā
This was Klopp
āGegenpressing is the best playmaker there is. The best moment to win the ball is immediately after your team just lost it. The opponent is still looking for orientation where to pass the ball.ā
This was Jose Mourinho
"What it is, is people who got some idea, some philosophy, and want to create something like 'We build very well from the back, we have a very good ball possession we don't play counter-attack,'" the 52-year-old added.
"But if you don't play counter-attack then it's because you are stupid. Counter-attack is a fantastic item of football, an ammunition that you have, and when you find your opponent unbalanced you have a fantastic moment to score a goal.
"So I think people are creating (illusions) and it has influenced public opinion. But football will never change. Football is to win."
All the teams these men manage go the way they envision the game. When Klopp plays what has been aptly named an industrial midfield, it is because he has them there to press knowing that if the press works, chances will be created. Mourinho gives away possession hoping to counter. He is on record as saying that a team with possession of the ball is in danger......I could try and dig out that interview.
There is a culture to be cultivated, and it cannot be done if there is mixed messaging on how you want to approach games. You can also see the imprint of how these teams want to play just based on who they buy.
This season alone, Chelsea went on and got two ball playing midfielders and a ball playing goalkeeper. City added Riyadh Mahrez and are rumored to be after Tanguy Ndombele who is another player that is comfortable on the ball.
United added another physical player in Fred while Arsenal added mainly players to try and sure up their defence in Torreira, Sokratis and Leno.
Phillipe Coutinho's output was supposed to be replaced by Naby Keita mainly, while the was the needed addition of Allison together with Shaqiri and Fabinho.
The additions have been there to try and ensure that there is not a thin squad, and that the team can compete on all fronts, so it would be strange to be playing at half speed. On this game in particular, Klopp in the post match conference stated that he had not been happy with how the pressing was being implemented.
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