Brendan Rodgers gained a lot of plaudits last year for leading his Liverpool side to 2nd place in the Premier League, playing an attractive, aggressive, attacking style of football. Many people were impressed with the way he switched from a 4-3-3 to a 4-1-2-1-2 to get the best out of his squad, and most famously the SAS strike partnership. As a result, I decided to emulate this style of football in FM. I have created a 4-3-3 and a 4-1-2-1-2 (and will also consider developing a 3-5-2 which Liverpool also played). Be warned, this tactic is very attacking, and your team may struggle defensively. It will also take time for your team to adapt so don't expect instant results.
The tactics
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As you can see, the 2 tactics are very similar in terms of playing style (something which you will also notice in the team instructions). The very fluid playing style means that all players will contribute to each phase of play, so the attackers will harry the opposition, and the defenders will help attack. The mentality is set to attacking, which helps employ the fast direct attacking that epitomised Liverpool last season.
The tactic you use is up to you. It depends on the opponents weaknesses (e.g if they have weak full backs), their strengths (e.g if they have a strong midfield), and also your team's performance. For example, when Destro went off form I played Suso and Sterling wide behind Sturridge.
Team instruction
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The team instructions are based around using the ball well, playing at a high tempo, and pressing the opposition into submission. As mentioned earlier, both tactics have the same team instructions, which makes it much more consistent when switching between tactics. Each player has individual instructions regarding their movement, positioning and distribution of the ball.
Opposition instructions
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Unsure if the OIs load into the tactic, so if not insert them in. In big games I tended to apply the assistant manager's advice, as I found it nullified the attacking threat.
Training
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In pre-season, I used this set up. To get your players up to speed with the tactics and match fitness, arrange as many friendlies as possible. Also, if you make a lot of new signings, switch the training to team cohesion to enable them to bond.
View attachment 313597
During the season, I switched between ball control and attacking, as Brendan Rodgers is renowned for his attacking training. I used attacking movement as the match prep, but switched to defensive positioning if the team conceded a lot of goals or faced a big team.
View attachment 313595
For individual training, I just trained the player in their specific role. I also like to have versatile players who can fill in a number of positions, so be sure to train your players across a number of roles if they suit it. For example, I trained Suso to be a left winger.
Player Roles and attributes
Try and sign players with high pace, work rate, passing, tackling and stamina as the tactic involves quick movement of the ball and high pressing.
GK- The goalkeeper needs to be adept at coming off his line, and distributing the ball, on top of all the standard goalkeeping attributes. A good example is Manuel Neuer.
CWBs- The Wing backs are constantly bombing up and down the pitch so need all the stats mentioned above, as well as good dribbling, positioning and crossing. Moreno and Johnson were brilliant for me.
BPDs- The CBs lack cover so they really need to be as good as possible. Basically any good CB, as long as they are good at moving the ball, and they are quick, will do. Sakho was fantastic, I imagine Mats Hummels would be perfect too.
HB- The half back sits very deep and drops in between the centre halfs. As a result they need to be very good at the defensive side of the game. Also, they are set to spray passes up field so a good passer with good vision is required. Xabi Alonso is made for this role.
DLP- The deep lying playmaker links defence and attack, and sort of acts like a box to box midfielder, so try and find as complete a midfielder as possible.
RPM- This role again links defence and attack, and plays again like a BBM, so find a complete midfielder like Arturo Vidal.
SS- The deepest of the attacking trio, the SS picks up the ball deep and runs at defenders, and bursts between the defenders and the gaps created by the strikers. These pick up a lot of assists and goals. Sterling and Suso were perfect for me
IFs- The insider forwards start out wide and cut inside and score a lot of goals and make a lot of assists. They switch sides to vary the attack and keep defenders guessing, so ensure they can use both feet.
CF and T- I have combined these roles as so far, I have found that the strikers work well in either role. These need to press high, have pace, and finish the chances created.
Results
View attachment 309238View attachment 313594View attachment 313593View attachment 309237View attachment 309236
As you can see, we blitzed the league, and won the capital one cup. We were unlucky in the FA cup, 2 last minute equalisers for Arsenal kept them in it, before they won on penalties. The CL was also crazy (see below).
A perfect example of how the tactic works is this Everton game, in which we destroyed them, and Sturridge scored from 51 (!) yards.
View attachment 313586View attachment 313585View attachment 313584
As you can see, we created a lot of chances, got into a lot of scoring positions, and pressed very high up the pitch. We completely outplayed them. Other games are attached below.
View attachment 313583View attachment 313582View attachment 313581View attachment 313580
The Hull game is a perfect example of how if the team doesn't take their chances, they could suffer.
View attachment 309235
This Barcelona game in the Champions League quarter final was absolutely mental. We lost the first leg 1-0 in a close encounter (deserved a draw tbh), but destroyed them second leg. Conceded from a back pass in the 4th minute and dominated the rest of the match. Xavi scored a free kick at 1-1 in the 84th minute which basically put us out.
Southampton save
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Worked brilliantly for me. This team suits the tactic so well, the attacking play was scintillating and the defence was solid. Some individual games (EIGHT clear cut chances against City):
View attachment 304641View attachment 304640View attachment 304639
Testing
All my results are attached above, however I asked a few people to test it for me. Both NickMickJ and Irish_Hammer tested it for me and both got back to me and said the attack was ridiculously good but the defence was occasionally leaky. Big thanks to Irish_Hammer especially, who provided me with screenshots and said it was the most exciting tactic he'd used. I'll add some more of these screenshots at a later date.
View attachment 313578View attachment 744370View attachment 744373
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Irish_Hammer's save with West Ham:
View attachment 759230View attachment 759231View attachment 759232View attachment 759238
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Tactic links
Cheers for reading, and good luck with the tactic. I'll be looking to improve this as I get more feedback.
http://www.mediafire.com/download/5...on+1_4B60BC7A-3F44-415E-98B0-8831A10E5302.fmf
Brendan Rodgers 4-3-3 version 1_84120476-75EC-4F39-9DBD-6C3FD4E7E1AB
The tactics
View attachment 313605View attachment 313604
As you can see, the 2 tactics are very similar in terms of playing style (something which you will also notice in the team instructions). The very fluid playing style means that all players will contribute to each phase of play, so the attackers will harry the opposition, and the defenders will help attack. The mentality is set to attacking, which helps employ the fast direct attacking that epitomised Liverpool last season.
The tactic you use is up to you. It depends on the opponents weaknesses (e.g if they have weak full backs), their strengths (e.g if they have a strong midfield), and also your team's performance. For example, when Destro went off form I played Suso and Sterling wide behind Sturridge.
Team instruction
View attachment 313602
The team instructions are based around using the ball well, playing at a high tempo, and pressing the opposition into submission. As mentioned earlier, both tactics have the same team instructions, which makes it much more consistent when switching between tactics. Each player has individual instructions regarding their movement, positioning and distribution of the ball.
Opposition instructions
View attachment 313600
Unsure if the OIs load into the tactic, so if not insert them in. In big games I tended to apply the assistant manager's advice, as I found it nullified the attacking threat.
Training
View attachment 313596
In pre-season, I used this set up. To get your players up to speed with the tactics and match fitness, arrange as many friendlies as possible. Also, if you make a lot of new signings, switch the training to team cohesion to enable them to bond.
View attachment 313597
During the season, I switched between ball control and attacking, as Brendan Rodgers is renowned for his attacking training. I used attacking movement as the match prep, but switched to defensive positioning if the team conceded a lot of goals or faced a big team.
View attachment 313595
For individual training, I just trained the player in their specific role. I also like to have versatile players who can fill in a number of positions, so be sure to train your players across a number of roles if they suit it. For example, I trained Suso to be a left winger.
Player Roles and attributes
Try and sign players with high pace, work rate, passing, tackling and stamina as the tactic involves quick movement of the ball and high pressing.
GK- The goalkeeper needs to be adept at coming off his line, and distributing the ball, on top of all the standard goalkeeping attributes. A good example is Manuel Neuer.
CWBs- The Wing backs are constantly bombing up and down the pitch so need all the stats mentioned above, as well as good dribbling, positioning and crossing. Moreno and Johnson were brilliant for me.
BPDs- The CBs lack cover so they really need to be as good as possible. Basically any good CB, as long as they are good at moving the ball, and they are quick, will do. Sakho was fantastic, I imagine Mats Hummels would be perfect too.
HB- The half back sits very deep and drops in between the centre halfs. As a result they need to be very good at the defensive side of the game. Also, they are set to spray passes up field so a good passer with good vision is required. Xabi Alonso is made for this role.
DLP- The deep lying playmaker links defence and attack, and sort of acts like a box to box midfielder, so try and find as complete a midfielder as possible.
RPM- This role again links defence and attack, and plays again like a BBM, so find a complete midfielder like Arturo Vidal.
SS- The deepest of the attacking trio, the SS picks up the ball deep and runs at defenders, and bursts between the defenders and the gaps created by the strikers. These pick up a lot of assists and goals. Sterling and Suso were perfect for me
IFs- The insider forwards start out wide and cut inside and score a lot of goals and make a lot of assists. They switch sides to vary the attack and keep defenders guessing, so ensure they can use both feet.
CF and T- I have combined these roles as so far, I have found that the strikers work well in either role. These need to press high, have pace, and finish the chances created.
Results
View attachment 309238View attachment 313594View attachment 313593View attachment 309237View attachment 309236
As you can see, we blitzed the league, and won the capital one cup. We were unlucky in the FA cup, 2 last minute equalisers for Arsenal kept them in it, before they won on penalties. The CL was also crazy (see below).
A perfect example of how the tactic works is this Everton game, in which we destroyed them, and Sturridge scored from 51 (!) yards.
View attachment 313586View attachment 313585View attachment 313584
As you can see, we created a lot of chances, got into a lot of scoring positions, and pressed very high up the pitch. We completely outplayed them. Other games are attached below.
View attachment 313583View attachment 313582View attachment 313581View attachment 313580
The Hull game is a perfect example of how if the team doesn't take their chances, they could suffer.
View attachment 309235
This Barcelona game in the Champions League quarter final was absolutely mental. We lost the first leg 1-0 in a close encounter (deserved a draw tbh), but destroyed them second leg. Conceded from a back pass in the 4th minute and dominated the rest of the match. Xavi scored a free kick at 1-1 in the 84th minute which basically put us out.
Southampton save
View attachment 304643View attachment 304642
Worked brilliantly for me. This team suits the tactic so well, the attacking play was scintillating and the defence was solid. Some individual games (EIGHT clear cut chances against City):
View attachment 304641View attachment 304640View attachment 304639
Testing
All my results are attached above, however I asked a few people to test it for me. Both NickMickJ and Irish_Hammer tested it for me and both got back to me and said the attack was ridiculously good but the defence was occasionally leaky. Big thanks to Irish_Hammer especially, who provided me with screenshots and said it was the most exciting tactic he'd used. I'll add some more of these screenshots at a later date.
View attachment 313578View attachment 744370View attachment 744373
View attachment 744375View attachment 744378View attachment 744380
Irish_Hammer's save with West Ham:
View attachment 759230View attachment 759231View attachment 759232View attachment 759238
View attachment 759241View attachment 759242
Tactic links
Cheers for reading, and good luck with the tactic. I'll be looking to improve this as I get more feedback.
http://www.mediafire.com/download/5...on+1_4B60BC7A-3F44-415E-98B0-8831A10E5302.fmf
Brendan Rodgers 4-3-3 version 1_84120476-75EC-4F39-9DBD-6C3FD4E7E1AB
Last edited:
