Dharnish

One tweak Arne Slot has used effectively is dropping a striker close into build-up, often this is Luis Diaz. It means it provides an extra player for Liverpool to pass to in build-up with Gravenberch-Mac Allister marked, the Colombian can drag players out of position

The crucial thing to note, is that Liverpool still have a 3v4 on West Ham's defence because Curtis Jones has pushed up to West Ham's defence, pinning them back meaning they also don't lose an extra attacker up front.

West Ham's midfield 5 have done a decent job here of narrowing the centre of the pitch for Gravenberch-Mac Allister, but just in behind Diaz has dropped into the half-space, he can then pull wide taking a defender with him, when Mac Allister receives from him, he looks for Salah

This was how the 2nd goal was scored, as Diaz pulled a man wide and Jones dragged a West Ham defender almost into his own half. It felt as though Liverpool were encouraged to quickly play it in behind with them being much faster than West Ham's back line

It isn't just Diaz working as the only striker dropping to create problems for teams, because Diaz drops into midfield there is an extra player for West Ham to think about meaning other players (Gravenberch) can run up front. This time, Salah is dragging 2 players wide..

Because Salah is in the form he's in, 2 players are quick to close him down, with West Ham dragged to one side, Diaz can make his run from deep build-up to in behind West Ham's defence with Jones joining. Using Salah slightly deeper, a defender follows and he becomes creator

West Ham's midfield is occupied with the middle, but with Salah dropping in at full-back, Wan-Bissaka has to follow him, with Alexander-Arnold making the run into the half-space, a gap is created with Alvarez having to follow. Drag a defender, push up a player, rinse and repeat.

By using a forward as part of build-up it gave West Ham problems, as they would have to start marking players up top who were making darting runs. Maybe because it was West Ham, but Liverpool were also brave in their press pushing up a full-back on West Ham's full-back

The spare man out ball was normally to a full-back for West Ham (Wan-Bissaka) but Alexander-Arnold pushed up high with the rest of Liverpool's attack covering West Ham's defence. As the ball is played up, Gomez quickly follows and retrieves the ball.

It felt as though Liverpool felt that pushing up the full-backs in the press would retrieve the ball as they knew West Ham's build-up or at least the defence in build-up wasn't good enough to progress the ball, so they could steal it high and they were correct.

We would frequently see a player drop in Liverpool's attack then quickly watch the ball go in behind with West Ham struggling deal with it. End of thread! Would love to hear your thoughts, newsletter in bio