Football Philosophy

ARTICLE BY MATTY

As I’m typing this on my 23rd birthday, I can’t help but feel that the timing of life is
somehow divinely ordained. Of course, my plans are starting to come to fruition. The work that
I’m doing is starting to pay off. Hard work and devotion to progress do have benefits. I’ve grown
a lot over these last two years. Figured out how to be a man, had my heart broken and then
rebuilt, reflected on previous failures or lack of tact. I’m a smarter man, more in control of my
emotions and self-worth, yet that’s only come through an acceptance of chaos and lack of
control. Being more willing to roll with the punches and ride the roller coaster of life, rather than
moan over a lack of control over such uncontrollable factors. This brings me to this moment,
whereas I reflect on my life, I reflect on where my love of football came from and how it
developed. Upon further examination, Jurgen Klopp is to thank for a lot of it. The intensity, the
passion, the flying nature of the game, it hooked me. The quest for domination in all areas of the
game suited a mind such as my own, crafted to always pursue something more, something better,
something higher. I think that’s why this period of Liverpool FC has particularly hurt. What I
grew up with no longer exists, and likely never will be again. The players who made me a fan,
the play style that enthralled me, they’re gone or will soon be gone. The players that have come
in are fine, some of them look particularly good and fun. Yet as I grow older, so too does the
game. Things have changed, and I must accept that my reasoning for supporting the club must
also change with the times. Yet Klopp ingrained in me, into a mind that loves to ponder and be
inspired, the type of football I want to see. My own football philosophy. Part 3 of my series is
meant to share that with you. Again, so perfectly and aptly timed.

I remember the ill-fated Ruben Amorim talking about how he was going to live and die by
his formation. I understood what he was trying to say, that he cared about style, but he was rather
stupid about it because he was married to a system, not a style nor philosophy. Pep Guardiola
and Jurgen Klopp are two of the greatest managers of all time, and they aren’t married to a
system. Guardiola loves his 4-3-3, as does Klopp, but they both used the 4-2-3-1 in Germany,
Pep used a 3-4-3 during the year he won the treble with City, and they generally are married
more to ideas compared to systems. They have a philosophy, a set way of how they think the
game should be played. Every great manager does. Mourinho and Ferguson were perhaps more
defensive, but they almost always got the most out of who they had. Cruyff’s total football was
revolutionary, a style imprinted on the minds of many, regardless of trophy haul. Slot raised
eyebrows when he said he wanted his team to play stylish football, arguably more so than
wanting to win as many trophies as possible. Ideally, the stylish game does lead to trophies, as
Guardiola has so often proven to be possible, as did Klopp. Arguably the football philosophy
leaves more of an imprint on the game than the trophies themselves. The Netherlands didn’t win
the 1974 World Cup final, but they are remembered as revolutionaries of the sport to this very
day. Joga Bonito in Brazil was so successful that both fans and former players alike are begging
the Brazilian national team to bring it back. Messi and Argentina finally won a World Cup when
they realized the team philosophy and play style had to be more complex than “pass the ball to
Leo”. Ultimately, the football philosophy of a manager or club should directly dictate how the
team plays, who plays for them, and ideally is matched to the ideals of the club. This is how
Klopp’s football philosophy blended so well with Liverpool.

Klopp’s football philosophy, which mine largely mirrors, was built off the working class
heart of Liverpool. The defining trait of Klopp’s Liverpool was the dedication to hard work. The
consistent improvement of players, fighting for that extra blade of grass, wearing opponents out
and running them down. Pressing high up the field to create turnovers, sprinting at pace up the
field and always trying to score, always trying to attack. Through the influence of players like
Thiago, the pace of play slowed slightly but with that came control. In every facet of the game,
Klopp’s Liverpool would suffocate you. The high line meaning the opposition could punt it to
the halfway line just for Virgil to win a header and start another run. The comfort in possession,
the ability to speed up or slow down the game, the pace on the wings to break through defenses,
the incisive passing from both the midfield and the flanks. Speed throughout the team to
adequately press and defend at a high level. Lots of tall, strong players who could match the
physicality of the league. Klopp was also a father figure for many of his players. Second to none
in getting them ready to deal with the intensity of a game. He was more than a brilliant manager;
he was and is a beautiful person. Klopp’s philosophy didn’t change much from Guardiola’s,
really. Klopp was just much more willing to up the intensity and play at pace compared to
Guardiola. You can tell Arteta was mentored by Guardiola but perhaps doesn’t have the same
sense of the game as his mentor.

It is here where I will take a brief interlude to talk about both my hometown sports and
how Klopp’s philosophy is so closely tied to it, providing an example of how football philosophy
and the values of people in the game can transcend the sport of football entirely. Buffalo is a
hockey town. The sheets of ice regularly seen on the ponds in the winter inspire us to put some
skates on, grab a hockey stick and get playing. One of my best friends has played the game his
whole life, never quite making it to the professional game but he got close. The pace of the game
is exhilarating, players flying around on skates to deliver big hits, carry the puck and hopefully
score some goals. I’d recommend anyone who’s interested in the game to watch some highlights,
it’s truly breathtaking to play and experience it. Even in the summer, I have fond memories of
playing with friends in the street, sometimes even putting on pads and playing as the goalie,
watching a small puck get fired at high speed towards my head. The Buffalo Sabres, before this
season, had not made the playoffs since 2011. I am now 23, but I was 8 years old in 2011. This
hockey-crazed city finally has its own team to cheer for again. They’re on track to be one of the
last eight teams in contention for the big silver trophy, the Stanley Cup, which has existed since
1917. The Sabres play a similar style to Klopp’s Liverpool. Young, strong, fast, physical and
hungry players who want the puck. They crash the opposition’s net often, trying to score close to
the goal. They suffocate their opponents into turnovers in their own territory and keep attacking
in waves. Occasionally, when the opposition gets a clear chance, one of Buffalo’s two excellent
goaltenders stops the breakaway chance. Just like Alisson. Their goal is to hit hard, play fast, use
their speed to get close to the goal, and score. Buffalo has quickly forgotten the playoff
heartbreak and misery of their football team. Everybody is onboard the Buffalo Sabres
bandwagon, and there’s still room for more of you

I suppose now that I’ve talked about Klopp and the Sabres and football history, maybe I
should get back to the point of this article. What do I think about football, what do I want to
watch? Ideally, it would have minor tweaks to the template Klopp gave us. High energy, frenetic
pace, constant attacking mentality. Yet balanced by players who are sensible enough to know
when to slow down and when to speed up. When a solid defensive performance is required
versus when the attack needs to score in bunches. Control of the game is something that is never
totally achievable, yet each player can contribute a great deal of control to the game. I’d
prioritize a balance of older and younger players, the older players providing experience from
previous championships and the younger players learning from that and applying their own
youth, speed and intensity to the proceedings. Given the state of the English game, I’d attempt to
sign players who are tall, strong, and don’t shy away from a rough challenge. Players who work
hard off the ball to commit to the high press and then work hard to create scoring chances for
themselves and others when they have the ball. A mix of physical brutes who can win the aerial
duels and technical players who can cut open a defense with a single pass. Attackers especially
would hopefully have the pace to outrun defenders and get on the end of those defense-splitting
passes, whether they come from the midfield or the flanks. I’d focus on a true team, a group of
eleven with great individual talent yet combine to be greater than the sum of each individual part.
Chemistry and a family atmosphere are underrated aspects of a team.

Of course, all of that is easier said than done. Much of it would prove difficult to
accomplish. But those are the days I remember, the days that are now gone. Yet, I’ve learned it’s
better to look forward to seize the current day, rather than wistfully look back upon the things I
cannot change. Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That’s why it’s
called the present. Until next time, friends.