Key Highlights
- Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Real Madrid showcased a tactical shift that emphasized efficiency and reduced possession.
- The tactic involved a build-up shape centered around the left-back, with right-backs positioned higher to exploit spaces created by midfielders.
- Key players like Mohamed Salah and Ryan Gravenberch were utilized for their off-the-ball movement and dribbling abilities.
- Liverpool’s strategy was a response to teams’ adaptation of tactics that limited their preferred build-up play.
Tactical Evolution in the Champions League
On November 5, 2025, Liverpool FC demonstrated an innovative approach against Real Madrid in a Champions League match. The victory marked Liverpool’s third win in the competition that season and highlighted their tactical flexibility under manager Arne Slot.
Reducing Possession for Greater Impact
Liverpool’s strategy was centered on reducing possession, recording just 40% of it – their lowest share this season. This tactic was effective as they managed to take 13 shots and forced Thibaut Courtois into making eight saves. The team also capitalized on set pieces, with Alexis Mac Allister scoring from a lateral free kick.
Shifting Build-Up Shape
Slot’s initial build-up tactic involved drawing teams towards the right flank. Both centre-backs and Trent Alexander-Arnold would stay back while the left-back pushed up. Midfielders also shifted to the right, creating space for lateral play or runners behind them.
This setup was most evident in a 2-0 win against Manchester City on February 5, 2025, where they recorded 33% possession – their lowest share in league games under Slot.
However, opponents adapted by marking Liverpool’s midfielders tightly and focusing on the right-back, most frequently Conor Bradley. To address this, Slot shifted the build-up shape to include the left-back. This move placed Bradley higher and wide while Salah operated centrally with a secondary runner.
New Personnel, New Solutions
Against Aston Villa on November 25, 2025, Slot returned to their preferred tactic but adjusted it for Bradley’s strengths in off-the-ball movement and dribbling. This example from the 66th minute showed how Bradley combined with a retreating Szoboszlai and Salah, forcing Villa backwards.
In the crucial match against Real Madrid on November 5, 2025, Liverpool simplified their tactic further. Goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili’s long passes were successfully targeted towards Salah, creating opportunities for his teammates to benefit from his movement. Bradley ran on Vinicius Jr’s blindside and was fouled by Vinicius Jr, earning a booking.
Long Passes and Pressing
Liverpool could also leverage long passes effectively against the press. In one instance, Konate passed to Mac Allister while Gravenberch dropped back, dragging Madrid’s midfielders forward. Bradley ran on Vinicius Jr’s blindside, capitalizing on his positioning to eliminate five Madrid players.
Free Kick and Set Piece Strategy
The free kick that led to Liverpool’s goal involved a similar tactic. Gravenberch carried the ball forward, with Szoboszlai and Wirtz joining Salah on the right. As Gravenberch dribbled forward, Madrid had difficulty covering the space left by Wirtz’s positioning out wide, allowing Liverpool to double up on their attackers.
Slot acknowledged that his team needed to find a response to specific strategies employed against them but seemed to have identified one in adapting their build-up tactics. However, they will face a tougher test when they play Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on November 12, 2025.
