Rafa Benítez • Tactics: Liverpool, Valencia and the 4-2-3-1 • Masterclass

0:09 - Intro
0:16 - 4-2-3-1, how it transitions and roles out of possession
5:03 - In possession: Numbers and balance
7:44 - System at Newcastle
8:37 - Liverpool and Steven Gerrard as the number 10
10:28 - Valencia 2001-2004
16:40 - Istanbul 2005 and making key decisions

Over a top-level coaching career spanning almost three decades, Rafa Benítez has built his reputation on an ability to deliver success. A two-time Spanish league and UEFA Cup winner as head coach of Valencia, he subsequently led Liverpool to two Champions League finals, famously defeating Carlo Ancelotti’s AC Milan in 2005 despite trailing 3-0 at half-time. He has also won silverware with Inter Milan, Chelsea, Napoli and Newcastle.

In the first of two exclusive Masterclass features with The Coaches’ Voice, Benítez gives a fascinating insight into the key principles – both in and out of possession – of the 4-2-3-1 formation he has used to such great effect throughout his career. He considers the Valencia team with which he won two league titles in Spain, paying particular attention to the roles of the two central midfielders who formed the double pivot: David Albelda and Rubén Baraja. He goes on to explain the evolution of his Liverpool team, with a specific focus on how the team developed after the 2007 signings of Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano – and the impact that had on the role of Steven Gerrard.

It’s a brilliant insight into the tactical mind of one of the modern game’s most respected coaches. We hope you enjoy it!

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[michaelmcewan]

Would you consider giving the coach a smaller magnet representing where the ball is when they start to show how players move in response?

[NathanSweeney]

Forever grateful to this beautiful man ❤️

[abdullahmab]

Love these videos with coaches. we need Don Carlo in future as well

[ttfootball]

As a Newcastle fan he really did a great job, got us back to the PL & then with basically the same team had us top 10. With money maybe we could have been like West Ham or Leicester, who knows.

He's been wrote off, but all he needs is that one job that goes well & people will rate him again.

[manelmanel]

This is the best Masterclass. I´ve watched them all.

[indexpictures]

used to love his one off tactical plans in europe. always felt like we'd be more prepared than the opponent.

[harrymcmullen]

Brilliant and insightful as ever - exactly what I expect from Coaches' Voice, and from Rafa Benitez.

The point on Valencia and how his teams tend to finish seasons strongly was one I tried to make while he was Everton manager and many Everton fans were calling for his dismissal. The majority of their defeats were coming from individual player mistakes or moments - players lacking the experience of their role and the overall shape rather than the setup itself failing. Those painful experiences would have manifested as lessons learned in the dog days of April and May when the six-point games came along in the relegation battle. Instead the club panicked and turned to Lampard, who kept them up by virtue of being less rubbish than their rivals as opposed to being significantly better. Expect to see them in the battle all over again in 2022/23.

[guilhermeacr]

Without a doubt one of the best coaches of the century, a lot of repertoire. His last works were greatly hampered by extra-field issues or technical limitations. I think he still has something to offer to football, he is being scouted in Brazil, it would be really cool to see him training in the country of football, a new challenge that could revive his career

[DawleyDude]

He will always be a legend for me. Great manager and great person!

[DJ-qizz]

Rafa because of you the future is so bright, Newcastle will always love you

[lifeisblessed]

He made one of the best trio in midfield ive ever seen, then tried to sign Barry and everything went pear shape after that, But i still love Rafa and will never forget Istanbul, Rafa YNWA

[jayseth]

Could watch these for hours. So refreshing listening to a brilliant footballing mind

[madridtimes]

Liverpool legend! Love the man to bits.

[Theo-ulqm]

I think rafa’s liverpool always suffered from a thin squad. An injury to gerrard or torres would really set them back. And when xavi alonso left, the midfielders were just too defensive and they didn’t get enough goals / assists from the wings to make up for it.
They were always a good team, but with a weak squad compared to the best teams at that time. They could win many games, but never ended up really pushing for a PL title.

[Sunshineboy]

I remember when 4-2-3-1 was used to counter 4-4-2, it worked very well.

[hinata]

Probably my favourite Liverpool manager

[Jake-hnyt]

His Liverpool was beautiful to watch. ❤️

[ugurnart]

Thank you great master ✌ You were great those times but later on, u couldn't be consistent.Even if u are not thought one of the top managers in our time, i always think that u are still one of them.

[adyh]

Brilliant
Been waiting for this one for a while. Benitez special coach

[apendica]

Legend. YNWA Rafa. Best Coaches Voice video to date.