New Season Opener

When Mane and Salah cut inside from both wings and drew all the defensive attention, Chen Anno would silently drive straight into the channel.

The channel was the most vulnerable gap between the fullback and center-back.

Chen Anno's acceleration and explosive burst were world-class.

As long as the wingers squeezed the defensive line inward and tore open the channel, Chen Anno could slip through.

Receive, turn, shoot—all in one fluid motion.

"Watch carefully! Mane cuts inside, Annuo attacks the channel!" Klopp shouted as he paced across the pitch. "Annuo, don't stand still waiting for the ball when you make the run!"

That was the second layer.

The winger cut inside and pulled away the defenders, then a through ball was threaded into the channel, creating a chance for Chen Anno to deliver the killer blow.

But what if the channel was tightly marked?

What if Chen Anno was pinned down and the wingers were surrounded? What then?

Klopp already had the answer.

"Andrew! Trent! Annuo's side is completely locked down, and you're still standing back there watching the show? Push up! Get forward!"

Robertson and Arnold surged down the flanks together as though they had been whipped.

That was the third layer.

When the first two layers were both shut down, the ball would be played back out wide for the advancing fullbacks to deal with.

If someone came out to defend, they would whip in a cross toward the far post and let the winger on the other side create danger.

If no one defended, they would charge straight into the box and do it themselves.

Three layers of attack, each building on the last.

The first layer: the winger cut inside and shot directly if there was an opening.

The second layer: the winger drew defenders away and