Tactical trends and playing styles always go in waves in football. We are in an era where top teams employ centre-forwards who have minimal involvement in the match aside from trying to put the ball in the net.
Much was made of Romelu Lukaku only having seven touches in a match at Crystal Palace earlier this year, yet his side won the game. Erling Haaland had just eight touches in Manchester City’s 4-0 victory over Bournemouth in August and still had time to assist the opening goal. Across town, Manchester United’s main plan last season was to get goals from Cristiano Ronaldo while ignoring the fact he offered very little else and prevented them from pressing well.
Liverpool almost had their own ‘low involvement, high impact’ forward on Sunday afternoon in their 1-0 win against City. Darwin Nunez replaced Roberto Firmino in the 72 nd minute and almost left an unforgettable mark upon the match despite barely touching the ball.
