Introduction
Watch Liverpool in the Premier League or UEFA Champions League and you quickly notice a modern pattern: the “winger” often starts wide but finishes inside. For Indian fans used to classic touchline dribblers, this can feel like players are ignoring their job description. In reality, today’s wide play is designed around where the biggest advantages are—closer to goal, between defensive lines, and around the opponent’s pivot midfielders. Under Jürgen Klopp (and now in a post-Klopp era where the squad still carries his attacking DNA), Liverpool’s wide forwards are built to threaten the centre as much as the flank. Mohamed Salah is the clearest example: he receives near the right touchline, but the key actions often come in the inside-right channel—shots, through passes, and combinations. This article explains the tactical reasons behind cutting inside, focusing on Liverpool, while also connecting the idea to what teams like Arsenal under Mikel Arteta do with their wingers.
How It Works
Liverpool’s wingers cut inside because the centre of the pitch offers higher-value outcomes: better shooting angles, shorter passing routes to the striker, and access to the “half-spaces” (the lanes between a full-back and centre-back). When Salah moves inside from the right, he pins the opposing left-back and left centre-back at the same time. That creates a dilemma: if the left-back follows him into the middle, Liverpool’s right-back (often Trent Alexander-Arnold in recent seasons) or the right-sided midfielder gets space outside; if the left-back stays wide, Salah can receive inside and face goal. Cutting inside also helps Liverpool’s counter-pressing (pressing immediately after losing the ball). When the winger is inside, the team is naturally compact, so it is easier to surround the ball and win it back quickly. Another reason is how Liverpool use the wide corridor. Instead of keeping the winger glued to the line, Liverpool frequently keep width through a full-back or an advanced midfielder, while the winger attacks the penalty box. The end goal is simple: create 2v1s and 3v2s near the opponent’s centre-backs, where one smart pass or one shot decides the game. Even when opponents block the middle, the threat of the inside run forces them to narrow, and that opens crossing lanes and cut-backs from the byline—often more dangerous than hopeful early crosses.
Match Examples
A clear example is Liverpool vs Manchester United at Anfield in the Premier League (2021–22), the 4–0 match. Liverpool repeatedly attacks United’s left side: Salah starts wide, then moves inside to combine with the striker and attacking midfield runners. United’s defenders get pulled narrow, and Liverpool’s width outside still exists through overlapping support, so United can’t protect both zones at once. Another useful reference is Liverpool vs Manchester City in the Premier League (2021–22) at Anfield, a 2–2 draw. Liverpool’s wide forwards don’t simply dribble down the line; they drive diagonally into central lanes, forcing City’s midfield to collapse and creating moments to slip passes behind the defensive line. In the UEFA Champions League, Liverpool vs Inter Milan (2021–22 Round of 16) is also instructive. Liverpool’s wide attackers repeatedly take inside positions to compress Inter’s block, allowing quick combinations and second-ball pressure when moves break down. Across these matches, the pattern stays consistent: the winger’s starting position is wide to stretch the opponent, but the decisive actions happen inside because that is where defenders are least comfortable—turning, tracking runners, and covering the goal-facing lanes.
Related Concepts & Skills
Training Implications
To train the “cut inside winger” role in a practical way, start with decision-making, not tricks. Set up a 30x20 metre pitch with wide channels marked by cones. Play 5v5 plus two neutral wide players (acting like full-backs). Rule 1: the winger must receive wide first, then choose one of three actions within three seconds—(a) drive inside to shoot, (b) combine inside with a bounce pass and run beyond, or (c) release the overlapping neutral for a cut-back. This forces the key modern habit: start wide, finish inside or create the inside threat. Next, add a “centre-back gate” (two cones) near the top of the box: points only count if the final pass or shot happens through that gate, teaching players to attack central lanes. For finishing, run a repetition drill where the winger carries diagonally from the touchline to the edge of the box and must shoot across goal with the far foot (right winger uses left foot, left winger uses right foot), because that is the typical Salah-style angle. Finally, include a counter-press rule: if the attacking team loses the ball, they have five seconds to win it back for double points. This builds the compactness benefit of inside positions and teaches wingers that their job continues after losing possession.
Apply This in Your Game
Reading about tactics is one thing. Our training units teach you to execute these concepts in real match situations.