Liverpool and the Brilliant “Viveza” Corner Kick

In the second leg of the 2018-2019 UEFA Champions League, Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold and Divock Origi executed a masterful corner kick that is a brilliant example of “viveza”.

(If the video doesn’t work, try clicking here to watch on YouTube.)

So, what does “viveza” mean?

The best way I can describe it (given what I have learned from the Latino and South American soccer communities) is having the mindset or wherewithal or street smarts to take your opponent by surprise. It is an action that happens quickly and it is usually very clever.

For example, a quick restart after a foul that catches the opponent off guard.

Personally, I think this type of cleverness is beautiful. I think it’s smart. I love it.

This type of clever play is often frowned upon by certain cultures, though. Usually the same cultures that frown upon diving. They consider it cheating, or trickery.

Just listen to the commentator providing his opinion in this video:

(If the video doesn’t work, try clicking here to watch on YouTube.)

No one is claiming the Liverpool goal was scored by cheating, but I think what actually went down with their “viveza” style corner kick is very misunderstood and I wanted to share some thoughts.

So here we go.

Liverpool just got lucky!

In real time, the corner kick goal by Liverpool looked impromptu – which is true to an extent –  but by no means was it lucky.

These things don’t magically happen.

To pull off something like that corner kick, players/teams must possess:

• The ability to identify whether the play is on, or not
• The ability to “play act” from the moment the ball goes out of bounds so the other team does not read the situation properly, and, of course…
• The ability to perfectly execute the technical aspects in order to achieve the desired result

Executing all three of those in a Champions League semi-final against Barcelona and it culminating in a game-winning goal is akin to the perfect storm, but it wasn’t lucky.

I think it’s actually the result of two very important things:

1. the “viveza” or street smart mentality being built into the DNA of top-level players through proper player development and
2. coaches actually teaching players to recognize when the opponents are sleeping and encouraging players/designing ways to catch opponents off guard

Teams train this stuff? Really?

Yes, whether you want to believe it or not, top-level teams train and rehearse these types of situations.

In fact, at the highest levels of the game, teams train and rehearse EVERY situation. Every single detail is meticulously planned. (Remember Marcelo Bielsa’s epic powerpoint presentation?)

The “acting” and “playing dumb” you see by players is all trained.

It’s all part of a plan.

It’s all part of a strategy for victory.

You can’t teach street smarts.

Wrong.

You absolutely can and you absolutely should.

You can train players on how to take advantage of opponents.

You can help players develop their “street smarts”.

You can arm your players with the weapons they need to be deadly.

You can increase your chances of winning games by helping them understand what “viveza” means.

You can teach players how to use things like “eye contact” to ignite a corner kick.

You can teach players how to catch their opponents sleeping.

You can coach this stuff.

Or you can leave it up to your players to figure it out on their own and hope that it magically happens.

You choose.

(PS, that last video clip was taken directly from a lesson in Phase 2 of the 3four3 premium coaching membership.)