Gegenpress! Just like how Adam Levine showed up at random weddings singing Sugar, unannounced, this attractive football style has taken the English Premier League by storm.
It has quite simply replaced the idea of playing tiki-taka football which has been mauled by its high-intensity and quite aggressive counterpart.
The new strategy adapted by teams with immense cash flow, especially after a bad season, is replacing managers before you can say ‘Cat in the Hat’.
This had led to us seeing a lot of managers trotting the entirety of Europe back and forth. For football fans it is early Christmas, as we get an opportunity to see new philosophy and footballing techniques applied to a new team. C’mon! we all already know that the same strategy year-on-year only gives you fourth place.
Talking about styles of football, most of us are well acquainted with tiki-taka, a style of football that makes you entrust your teammates to pass the ball as well as keep possession.
Your main aim is to remain in a position for a viable and rather short pass keeping the intensity high moving along to the top of the pitch in a triangular shape with the hope to outpace your opponents and score.
This style of football is beautiful to watch and more often than not, difficult to break down. Absolute Spanish perfection!
However, Gegenpress is different, just as different as it sounds from each other! When literally translated from German to English it means ‘press against.’
It involves the team frantically pressing the opponent when they have the ball, like a swarm of locusts. The main aim, retrieve possession within ten seconds.
Players are expected to work hard, and engage in quick witted passing. In addition to that, they cover astronomical distances on the football pitch.
In comparison to the defending style that tiki-taka needed, where all players involved had to fall back together, gegenpress sees players moving zonally with the idea of narrowing space to the opponent with usually two if not more players attacking the opponent who has possession.
So in context of Liverpool, on the left flank we will see James Milner and Philippe Couthino and either one of Jordan Henderson and Gini Winjadlum pressing to get the ball back.
This style of football is not new to the world, however is something new when it comes to the English game. One of the major concerns is player fitness.
Gegenpress needs players to have tremendous amounts of energy throughout the entirety of the 90 minutes especially when the ball is lost.
It is widely known that this season Liverpool players have already covered more distance than any other team, with Adam Lallana topping the charts of maximum distance covered by an individual.
The self-proclaimed ‘Normal One’, has been a believer of this style of football throughout his managerial career.
In his defence, this is a style of football that has seen him achieve various accolades as manager.
This style of football in addition to his contagious passion for the sport, his mad-hatter shenanigans and charming personality seems to be working wonders for Liverpool and all their stakeholders.
One of the major reasons that this style of play is working well for the team is that the Merseyside club have a number of players on their roster that play high-football that include James Milner, Emre Can, Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Phillipe Coutinho and when playing Divock Origi.
This style of play has also seen us witness free-flow of goals which will be written and spoken about for seasons to come.
Four past Arsenal and champions Leicester, five past Hull City with away wins against Chelsea and Arsenal, the start to the season was possibly one of Liverpool’s most difficult but has been negotiated with immense class and inch-perfect tactics planned by the manager and executed by the players.
Klopp has continually emphasised on the importance of training. This gegenpress and training techniques have seen the players’ energy levels rise. Not only that, but their bursts of pace on the counter into the box or creating an option for a cut-back has improved.
Their vision from midfield has immensely improved which has seen them become a large goal threat. In addition to that, their finishing has become better with goals coming from all over the park.
When we dig up the history books, the only other manager who comes close to playing a style of football similar to what Klopp does is AC Milan’s tactical genius and the only manager to defend a European cup, Arrigo Sacchi.
The only difference of the high-pressing style that Sacchi played was more of total football and less of gegenpress.
The gegenpress philosophy has been well drilled into the players at Liverpool football club.
From training ground routines to execution on the pitch, the Liverpool statistics from their first seven games speak for themselves.
General stats
Average Possession 61%
Duels Won 49.7%
Aerial duels won 43.6%
Attacking stats:
Goals 18
Goals per game 2.57
Total Shots (exc. blocked shots) 85
Shooting Accuracy 57.7%
Passing:
Passing Accuracy 84.5%
Total Crosses 92 (15 successful)
Defence:
Goals conceded 10
Goals conceded per game 1.43
Clean Sheets 0
Clearances 152
Tackles 130
Blocks 14
Tackles Won 71.54%
Only one question remains unanswered, how long can the players play gegenpress at the same intensity? As of now with no European football distraction and on an average of five games a month and the current squad depth, players can play at this astronomical intensity as demanded by Klopp.
But if Liverpool do finish in the top four, which should be inexcusable if they don’t, Klopp may have to make changes to his style given the number of games Liverpool will be involved in.
However, thinking about ‘now,’ things seem to be good and the dark clouds over Liverpool Football Club seem to be drifting away.
Zubin Daver
Roar Pro
I totally agree if there is one guy who knows how to break play up and slow the game down it is Mourinho. Yes, Liverpool on more than one occasion has been precarious at the back. The pace of Lingaard, Martial and Rashford could hurt us. I am dreading their wingers against the pace of Milner at LB. About set-pieces, I can most certainly expect us to concede through one. If Lallana is not fit, I could see Klopp start Emre Can ahead of Lucas. He provides a better work rate and fits in defensively when required as well. He has a tiny height advantage, but also has better speed and age on his side. However, the best case for us is to have the same eleven playing and a full stadium. With the capacity having gone up, this derby has a chance of being one we remember for a long time.
Zubin Daver
Roar Pro
Thanks Ed. Shall post similar articles tactical based articles in the future.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Hey Zubin, Mourinho will be primed to play a spoiling game I feel. He knows he is going into the lion's den where his opponents a riding the crest of a wave. The circumstances of the actual game is quite similar to the 2013/14 game at Anfield where he essentially ruined Liverpool's title chances. Of course, the title isn't at play right now, but if anyone knows how to quieten the reds of Merseyside, it's been Jose Mourinho. Even though Liverpool's attacking options are more diverse under Klopp than what Rodgers enjoyed in 2013/14, the defence still has question marks. Mourinho can exploit this by focusing on setpieces, because Liverpool are most suspect in deadball situations. Add to the mix the hesitant displays from Karius so far, then Liverpool's biggest worry should be from headers by Zlatan or Pogba roaming around the Liverpool penalty area. On this end, I think both Lingard and Rashford will start for United as wingers. I actually wonder if Klopp may opt to include Lucas as an extra man back, especially if Lallana is not fit. This may slow down Liverpool's speed of movement, but it will definitely counter any forward momentum United have, and keep the majority of possession down the United end. Liverpool in my mind are still favourites, but it's one of those games where overconfidence will be foolish.
ed
Guest
Zubin, its great to get more tactic and formation discussions on the website. I enjoyed reading about it. I do agree with the view that it isn't new and calling gegenpress doesn't suit imo. The idea has been around, in this era it has been applied to create entertaining football. high intensity pressing as a concept have been used by managers including Bielsa and Pochettino, in some ways Guardiola too. Though Guardiola uses more Positional Play to create superiority through the game , he does encourage players to try to win the ball back quickly when lost.
Zubin Daver
Roar Pro
Vas, I am quite eager to how Jose sets his team up for the derby. As you said I am expecting them to sit back try and hit on the counter. As you mentioned United have a front-line with quality that can hurt us given how Liverpool have been defending, but the fact that the entire defensive line of Milner, Matip, Lover, Clyne and Karius are all not going for international duty & will be training at Melwood should help improve communication and hopefully stand stronger than they did last time these two met in the Premier League. I expect Adam Lallana to do well, if fit for the game. The United defence will be quite preoccupied with Firmino, Mane and Coutinho. That is how Lallana is quietly notching up goals and assists this season as compared to earlier. Promises to be a fun match up!
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Niets te danken!
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Chinmay, the derby after the break is at Anfield, not Old Trafford. In a way, I thought Van Gaal's tactics at last season's derby against Klopp was perfect. Liverpool had their chances, but the way that the United cover defence helped the back four really blunted Liverpool's ability to keep penetrating the box. After time, you saw more desperate shots from distance by Coutinho et al, before Rooney exploited Liverpool's defensive frailties, and United won a game they were otherwise second-best in in football terms. Mourinho definitely can replicate this, based on what he did at Chelsea against Liverpool when Gerrard slipped. The problem I think United may have is a player like Sadio Mane, whose pace is likely to split open the backline. Besides, United have enough frontline quality of their own to cause Liverpool headaches. It should be a fine contest.
Chinmay Hejmadi
Roar Guru
As a United fan, I hope Mourinho spends enough hours during this international break to think of a way to stop the Gegenpress at Old Trafford. Parking the bus may work, but I shudder at the thought of someone like Fellaini or Rojo being hounded by the likes of Mané and Lallana.
Chinmay Hejmadi
Roar Guru
Dankuwel, meneer. That was a great article. A bit long but brilliant. And helped my Dutch vocabulary too.
Paul D
Roar Guru
I can easily see why people say there is a lot of overlap between football and Australian Rules Football these days, I was reading a lot of what Zubin wrote and thinking of the pressure tactics of the Western Bulldogs! The language and concept are very similar. Good article and good response. I agree with your "old idea" remark too - I don't see gegenpress as a revolutionary concept, this sort of gameplan has been around for a long time.
Kirk
Guest
Thanks Zubin for educating us about this footballing technique, really enjoyed reading that! I honestly think Jurgen is a good man-manager. He makes sure he has control over the team and at the same time acts more like a colleague, giving that friendly-approach - A true leader of the Kop! What's surprising is that Klopp is the first one to bring the true gegenpress tactic to Premier League football. The Premier League has hosted a number of well-known managers and it's astonishing how none of them used this tactic during their tenure at a club. You would think Mourinho, Ancelotti, Sir Alex, Dalglish, Wenger, etc. would know about such tactics and would adopt an effective method for their respective teams. It's clearly working well for Liverpool (and Klopp) and it kind of makes me envious! Liverpool are finally reliving the days of old when they were feared and look set to finish in the top 3 at the moment.
Zubin Daver
Roar Pro
I am sure that with the passage of time EPL teams and other managers will find a way through Gegenpress. However, as you mentioned it is a refreshing style of football which has now come to EPL. Surely Klopp has a 'plan B' just in case. Origi's height could see them play a lot more direct from the wings if need be.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
I should also add, it's incredible it has taken so long for the gegenpress to make an appearance in the Premier League, given its focus on hard running and work rate, so in one sense, it's a perfect fit, Compare to a compeition, and/or national team which sees itself as being more "cultured", like the Eredivisie/the Netherlands, where the initial reaction is likely to be one of great distaste for such a playing style. Given that context, one of the best articles I read on the gegenpress in recent months was this Dutch pearler - a fascinating insight into how a whole country views itself: https://decorrespondent.nl/4755/je-moet-de-bal-verspelen-anders-kun-je-niet-scoren/419905324575-b6bb2da3 In het Nederlandse voetbal is balbezit nagenoeg heilig. Heb je de bal, dan ben je dominant - zogenaamd. Maar het kan ook anders. Je kunt juist scoren door de bal bewust weg te geven. Maak kennis met 'Gegenpressing'. (if you have the ball, you can dominate, but it can work the other as well, introducing the gegenpress) Dat is niet direct een Nederlands instinct. Meester van de bal zijn, is altijd de ambitie geweest van het Nederlandse voetbal. Balbezit als doel op zich is iets waar het Nederlandse voetbal zich in heeft gespecialiseerd. Maar je kunt ook dominant zijn door de bal niet te hebben. (the Dutch have always viewed ball control as king, their specialty, so the gegenpress runs contrary to their natural instinct - but you can also dominate if you don't have the ball....)
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Gegenpress is not really new, and in any event, it's a small, modern twist on a very old idea. Nevertheless, any team employing a decent gegenpress, offers plenty of entertainment, because the basic tenet is that you are winning the ball back deep in the opposition half, and your attack-minded players are immediately set up to attack (with virtually zero transition time) - the opposition is at its most vulnerable when losing the ball deep in its own half - can't argue with that. Except....most of the Bundesliga clubs have already worked it out and the counter to what is already just another form of counter-attacking style, is to allow the other team plenty of time on the ball at the other end of the park, sit back, and just watch them mess it up. Why work hard when you can let the opposition do all the work for you.
Zubin Daver
Roar Pro
Yes Debayan, physical fatigue is surely something that can hurt the challenge for finishing in the top four (still too soon to talk about a charge for the title). But one thing that is working in Liverpool's favour is the fact that they have no European distractions and as you mentioned decent squad depth. Players like Emre Can, Divock Origi, Daniel Sturridge, Gruijc etc. are all really good players to look to for either closing down a game of chasing one in the last few minutes. Klopp for the Kop is surely working out!
Debayan
Guest
Well, The klopp way will fail against teams which prefer a low block like Burnley. Plus, it will really start to hurt cometh Jan or Feb. Will be interesting if Liverpool maintain the intensity when it matters. Even Sacchi and his team complained of both mental and physical fatigue. That being said, With effective use of squad depth like Spurs, Liverpool can go the entire distance and that should ensure top 4 and even a possible title challenge. P. S. Although I'm a Chelsea fan I am a massive admirer of Klopp.
Zubin Daver
Roar Pro
Coming from a Chelsea fan, thanks. I agree with every word you have to say. Klopp has had a massive impact on the team. Other than just the players, he has cleared the dressing room of deadwood reducing the wage bill, taking hold of transfers as well as creating a great connect with the fans. He is a huge influence both on and off the pitch. Klopp is also getting his tactics inch perfect, hope that the team is able to continue this form and play at this intensity for the entirety of the season. Good time ahead!
Aashay
Guest
Alright, I honestly did not know about gengenpress. Nice write up. However, coming from a Chelsea fan, I can see how Liverpool have changed under Klopp. Their hunger has gone up. The Swansea game was an example of what I am saying. Having being level towards the close of the game a couple of years ago, Liverpool would have been content with a point and not losing the game, but this time around they pushed and ended up winning it. Given their start to the season and the opponents they have faced in addition to the number of home games they have left, LFC are a certain threat. As a rival fan, I really hope their high ends soon, but I have to say that I am a fan of their style of playing and especially their manage, Jurgen Klopp.