Liverpool vs Spurs: 5 Ways To Stop Gareth Bale

2. Stop The Supply

Bale likes to drop deep from his forward position to pick up the ball. This can be difficult to deal with €“ who marks him, centre back or midfielder? So one effective way to stop Bale influencing the game is to stop the ball getting to him. Liverpools 4-3-3 setup is perfectly suited to pressing the opposition across the entire length and breadth of the pitch. It requires huge stamina and concentration levels, for one slack body can make everyone else€™s hard work redundant, but as Spurs like to play the ball out from the back it could work and also has the benefit that when Liverpool win the ball back, they are within sight of goal immediately. One of the areas Andre Villas-Boas€™ side are lacking is the playmaker department. Moussa Dembele is a wonderful player, gliding past opponents with ease, while the bulldog Scott Parker is finding top form after his long absence through injury, but there is no Luka Modric in there that can create triangles, change the tempo, and get the ball quickly to the dangerous players. If Liverpool press the defence and midfield they can stop the ball reaching Bale, and he€™ll have to come so deep to get a touch that whatever he does will be ineffective.