The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast How to fix Liverpool
22 snips
Oct 30, 2025 
Mark Carey, a tactics writer for The Athletic, Liam Tharme, a football tactician, and Michael Cox, an experienced football journalist, discuss Liverpool's recent struggles. They delve into tactical breakdowns, emphasizing Liverpool's poor starts and the challenges of new signings adapting to the system. The guests analyze pressing issues, the impact of fixture congestion, and whether a shift to a back three could stabilize performance. They also ponder if this season is a transition year for the club and explore Mohamed Salah's evolving role in the team.
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Projected Drop Is Big But Not Unprecedented
- Liverpool's projected points suggest a significant drop-off but not the worst in title-defense history.
- Past champions have had far larger declines, so recovery remains plausible.
Grief Can Reduce Performance Marginally But Crucially
- Diogo Jota's death casts an ongoing emotional shadow across the squad and training.
- Even a small drop in intensity from grief can materially affect results at this level.
Late Winners Mask Underlying Problems
- Early wins masked persistent structural issues as many victories came from very late goals.
- Relying on stoppage-time winners isn't sustainable for consistent high-level form.