van Dijk Injury an Unexpected Catalyst in Liverpool’s Offensive Issues

By Tom Cunningham @TomCunningham75Liverpool’s season so far. Where to start? From the 7-2 thrashing at Villa Park to an injury list bigger than ever, it hasn’t exactly been plain sailing.And, when Virgil van Dijk suffered a long-term injury at Goodison Park via an undoubtedly unresentful Jordan Pickford, many assumed the Reds would struggle to make the same impact defensively. In part, they were predictably right. The Dutchman’s absence has proved costly on the defensive front at times- whether it be a slight lapse of judgement costing the Reds a couple of points or a lack of authority at the back, Liverpool haven’t been the same.Yet, when you take a deeper look into the Liverpool problems, you’ll begin to realise the unforeseen impact his injury has had on Jurgen Klopp’s heavy metal football- which has become all but a silenced orchestra at this point.The numbers will tell you that, with Fabinho stepping up when needed most alongside various others, defensively, the Reds have been more or less as expected. Since the injury, they have conceded just the 11 goals and lost two games. When Van Dijk was in the side, Liverpool conceded seven alone to Aston Villa. Football is a strange game, isn’t it? But, again, to reiterate this point, defensively, Liverpool have been fine. Instead, it has been offensively where the struggles are continuing to mount in the defender’s absence.And, this may sound puzzling. Again, football is a strange game. But, when you look at the creative impact of Van Dijk on the side alongside the knock-on effect of Fabinho being forced out of the midfield, you’ll realise the Dutch centre-back is a crucial creator in the team.The statistics provided by Sam Maguire sums the situation up to a tee. Last season, Van Dijk’s passing map indicated his ability to play forward and into the final third with accuracy and precision- therefore creating more chances for the likes of the front three. Many will be quick to label this as ‘hoof ball’ but a better term such as Premier League winning football can be used in this instance.Meanwhile, Fabinho- who has done an admirable job in place of the imperious defender- not only attempts far less forward passes but, when he does, they are less accurate.Joel Matip, too, when fit, does the same. The former Schalke man possesses the key ability to step out with the ball- taking players out of the game in the process- but fails to offer the much-needed passing range of Van Dijk.Fabinho has been defensively superb, but his midfield traits are clear for all to see through his passing range- often keeping it neat and tidy when distributing. And that works to perfection in the middle of the park. The Brazilian is one of the best ball-recyclers in European football and is often the key to the sustainment of Liverpool attacks. The former Monaco man puts out fires before they can show signs of becoming a flame in midfield before ruthlessly re-distributing to sustain the pressure led by the Liverpool attack.Without this influence in midfield, Jurgen Klopp’s side have lost their edge; their fight to win that crucial second-ball; that need to sustain an attack and press the opposition into eventual submission.Thiago Alcantara has since entered the side to do this job but lacks the physical presence of Jordan Henderson or Fabinho to complete the task of a three-man midfield. His passing range is incredible to watch, but the second balls are still crucially being lost, and the Liverpool attacks are, therefore, failing to be sustained.So, without Van Dijk, problems haven’t necessarily been created in the defensive third, but, instead, the knock-on effect of the injury has forced Klopp’s ferocious football into a tactical, groundhog-day like halt. Going back to the Dutchman’s absence and the damage it has done to the Liverpool campaign, Liverpool have naturally pressed with less intensity. The Reds have opted for a safer approach without the reliance of the Van Dijk shield. It is a tactic which makes perfect sense.

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Jurgen Klopp knew something had to change in the system in the Dutchman’s absence, and, naturally, had to approach with more caution. Again, though, this has had a knock-on effect in the final third.Because Liverpool are pressing with less intensity; with less vigour, and not as high up the pitch, the front three are naturally failing to find clear-cut chances as easy to come by.Jamie Carragher highlighted this issue on Monday Night Football when speaking on the currently toothless front three. The stats presented show Liverpool’s fall off in intensive pressing and their attempt to approach the game with more safety without Van Dijk.Last season, Roberto Firmino won the ball in the final third 1.11 times per game. The number sums the forward up. He is meant to be Liverpool’s pressing machine; it is his duty to fit the system to the bill and create for others. And, last season he did.This season, however, with Jurgen Klopp’s side pressing with less intensity, the Brazilian has won the ball back in the final third just 0.42 times per game. Firmino has arguably had his greatest strength taken away to provide Liverpool with the defensive stability needed.Jurgen Klopp couldn’t risk playing with the same intensity without the pace and safety net of Van Dijk; something had to give, and, unfortunately, it has been the attack that has suffered.To reiterate one final time, as the evidence provides, Liverpool’s have, indeed, struggled without Van Dijk. And, when looking for a reason as to why the sound of heavy metal football has reached silence in the last five games, his absence can be pointed to. Without him, Liverpool pass less into the final third, press with less intensity and, therefore, fail to provide the goals needed for a Premier League-winning campaign.Yes, the front three have been guilty of spurning chances, but the attacking failure is down to the loss of balance an injury crisis as a whole has provided the Reds; a crisis which could prove costly.By Tom Cunningham – @TomCunningham75