Sam Allardyce has told The Daily Mail that Liverpool play the long ball better than other sides, but that nobody will say the Reds play in such a way.
What did he say?
Allardyce, who has managed more clubs in the Premier League than anyone else with seven, has almost become synonymous with long-ball football, dating all the way back to his time at Bolton Wanderers.
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However, the former England boss believes that it is an important part of the game, and that even Jurgen Klopp’s sides use it, and to great effect. He said: “Liverpool play long ball very well indeed from right to left, and very quickly. But nobody will say Liverpool play long ball.
“You wouldn’t hear Martin Tyler saying it because it would be frowned upon.
“You’ve got to be careful about saying Liverpool play long ball. But that’s the way it is. They play long ball exceptionally well and better than anybody else. And that’s why they do it.”
Good point
There are bad connotations around direct football, especially with the likes of Pep Guardiola now in the Premier League. We have been conditioned to turn our noses up at the long ball, with the likes of Allardyce now being perceived as dinosaurs for using such a style of play. However, we mustn’t forget that the 65-year-old led the Lancashire outfit to their joint-highest league finish (6th) in the Premier League, whilst they also qualified for the UEFA Cup under him.
He makes a good point, too. Only Burnley (71) and Sheffield United (75) have played more long balls per match than Liverpool’s 66 in the top flight this term, whilst only Manchester City (26), have made more crosses per fixture than their 23.
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That is not to compare them to Allardyce’s Bolton, though – they are clearly far more expansive and technical than that. But the long ball has been something they have put to good use this term as they have built a commanding lead at the top of the table – they are currently 22 points ahead of the Citizens in second place, which is the biggest margin in the league’s history. Indeed, it may seem insulting to indicate that Liverpool are frequent users of the long ball, but it doesn’t have to be a negative. Used correctly, it is a technique that can have devastating effects.
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