Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders has explained the team’s tactical approach for their memorable Champions League semi-final comeback against Barcelona in a detailed masterclass – and it's an absolute must watch.
It will go down as one of the greatest games in football history.
On the night of May 7, 2020, Jurgen Klopp's men pulled off the seemingly impossible when they overturned a three goal deficit to beat Lionel Messi and co. Luis Suarez couldn't believe it. Coutinho couldn't believe it. Nobody could believe it.
Goals from Divock Origi (2) and Gini Wijnaldum (2) handed Liverpool a place in the Champions League final as Anfield crackled with anticipiation like never before.
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In fact, nearly two years on from that game against Barca and fans still reminisce about Origi's 78th minute winner and the "corner taken quickly" moment that made history. But what went on behind the scenes that day?
Well, in an incredible 28-minute video, Jurgen Klopp's right hand man Pep Lijnders has revealed all.
Lijnders speaks about Liverpool’s counter-press, playing against the great Lionel Messi and the difference between pressing and chasing in this tactical masterclass with The Coaches' Voice – a YouTube channel that consistently provides world-class content.
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Go and put the kettle on, make yourself a nice brew and watch this truly brilliant analysis from the Dutch coach, who gives us an insight into how the Premier League outfit approached one of the most feared teams in world football at the time.
I could listen to this guy all day.
How good was that? Thousands of people have praised the content since its release this week. One fan said: "This is why I think Pep Ljinders will be a great manager if he were to take over from Klopp."
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Another commented: "This is why Henderson is one of the key players in this team. He is practically a coaches's dream player. He plays as instructed and convey the message from the manager and coaches to this players. He leads the press, he sets the tempo... even Robbo said Henderson is the tempo setter in the team."
A third wrote: "It's crazy how professional coaches are so analytical and methodical when we as fans watch it from an emotional viewpoint."
Jurgen Klopp is a massive fan of Lijnders. After penning a two-year contract extension with Liverpool on Thursday – a deal that will keep him at Anfield until 2026 – the German coach praised his assistant.
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“As for Pep, wow. I have been lucky enough to meet many, many people in football during my time in the game and I don’t think I have ever met anyone with the energy and enthusiasm he has for this game," he told the club's official website.
“I think I have said in the past, there is nothing he does not know about this sport. His passion for it is remarkable and his enthusiasm in training each day is infectious.
"Since he came back to us in 2018, it has been a privilege to watch him grow and, for sure, he has a long and successful career ahead of him in football.
“I have said before I am the luckiest guy in the world to work with my players each day – and the same can be said of my staff. Not just Pep and Pete, but all the people at the AXA Training Centre who each day make such a big commitment to trying to make us the best we can possibly be."
Topics: Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp, Barcelona, Champions League
Jack Kenmare