- TFA - Total Football Analysis
- Posts
- Liverpool Set-Piece Defence Weaknesses & Thomas Frank At Spurs - Data Analysis
Liverpool Set-Piece Defence Weaknesses & Thomas Frank At Spurs - Data Analysis
Today, we have a set-piece analysis focusing on Liverpool's weaknesses exploited by Newcastle and a data analysis article on Thomas Frank tactics at Tottenham Hotspur!
In partnership with
The Home Of Tactical Analysis
In Partnership With 🤝
Practical AI for Business Leaders
The AI Report is the #1 daily read for professionals who want to lead with AI, not get left behind.
You’ll get clear, jargon-free insights you can apply across your business—without needing to be technical.
400,000+ leaders are already subscribed.
👉 Join now and work smarter with AI.
New TFA Podcast Episodes 🎤
If you previously subscribed to the TFA podcast, you may have noticed it's back!
Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other players via RSS.
Today’s TFA Posts ⚽
The opening three gameweeks of the Premier League delivered some fascinating fixtures, one of which took place at St. James’ Park as Newcastle United hosted Liverpool in one of the highlights of the season so far.
The reigning champions secured a hard-fought victory in the dying moments.
However, the home side also produced a strong performance.
Newcastle’s impact was not limited to open play.
The Magpies excelled in set-pieces, scoring both of their goals from such situations to stage a comeback before Liverpool’s late strike secured them the win.
From the Reds‘ perspective, this raises serious concerns regarding their set-piece defence.
What’s more, the goals did not come from corners, usually the most threatening type of set-piece, but rather from a throw-in and an indirect free-kick.
This game, therefore, provides an opportunity to examine Liverpool’s defensive structure in these specific phases.
So instead of looking at this game in isolation, let’s dive deeper and search to determine where the Reds’ weaknesses lie and how Newcastle managed to exploit them, not in terms of the final game result but specifically in the set-piece battle.
To gain a clearer picture, we can look back at last season to better understand how Liverpool defend throw-ins and indirect free-kicks under Arne Slot.
Let’s start with throw-ins.
When Tottenham Hotspur announced the appointment of Thomas Frank in the summer of 2025, the move was met with both curiosity and anticipation.
Frank, who had built his reputation at Brentford, was not simply seen as another Premier League coach making the step up.
Rather, he represented a distinct tactical thinker with a proven track record of maximising resources and implementing structured, data-driven footballing philosophies.
Spurs, having oscillated between various managerial styles over the past decade, were in need of a coherent identity, something Frank’s tenure promises to provide.
At Brentford, Frank developed a tactical framework rooted in balance: compactness without passivity, directness without recklessness, and creativity without sacrificing structure.
His sides pressed with intelligence, sought value over volume in attack, and frequently manipulated spaces through vertical progression and wide overloads.
Most importantly, he embedded tactical clarity into every phase of play, ensuring that Brentford consistently punched above their weight in one of the world’s most competitive leagues.
This data analysis report does not seek to romanticise Frank’s methods, but rather to dissect them.
By analysing Brentford’s statistical profile across pressing, attacking transitions, progressive passing, shot efficiency, and defensive stability, we can better understand what Frank’s footballing DNA truly entails.
How does his mid-block work under sustained pressure?
What mechanisms define his winger usage and vertical progression?
To what extent is his emphasis on shot quality transferable to a club of Tottenham’s stature?
Through data analysis, this report will unpick each layer of Frank’s approach, building a tactical map that explains not just where Brentford succeeded, but how these ideas might evolve at Spurs.
TFA Archives 📆
Argentina face Venezulua in a CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying match.
Take a dive into their Copa América 2024 Final tactics.
Can they continue their dominance in the qualifying matches all the way to the World Cup?
Spain face Bulgaria in World Cup qualifying as reigning Euro 2024 champions.
In this tactical analysis, revisit Luis de la Fuente’s counterpressing system that powered them to Euro 2024 success.
Germany take on Slovakia as they look to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
Take a look at Julian Nagelsmann tactics at Germany in 2025.
Can they make a far run in the tournament should they qualify?
