The 4-5-1 formation: football tactics explained

What is a 4-5-1?

The 4-5-1 formation has a back line of four defenders – two centre-backs and two full-backs. Ahead, five players comprise the midfield unit, with three central midfielders and two wider midfielders. A lone centre-forward operates as the highest player in the structure.

Where does the 4-5-1 originate from?

The 4-5-1 is very similar to the 4-3-3 shape, with two main differences. The wingers – or wide midfielders – position themselves slightly deeper in a 4-5-1, much closer to the central-midfield trio. This helps form a more distinct midfield unit of five (below).

In addition, the central-midfield unit is also less staggered (above). The deepest of the three is much higher than the single pivot in a 4-3-3 shape. The pivot often lines up marginally underneath, or even in line with, the two number eights either side. This forms a much flatter second line of five, ahead of the back four and underneath the single centre-forward.

The 4-5-1 is ultimately a defensive variation of the 4-3-3 shape. The first real use of the 4-3-3 came when Brazil’s 1958 World Cup winners converted their 4-2-4 system in possession. Coaches then began to adopt the 4-3-3 as a preferred attacking shape. This 4-3-3 evolved when defending, so that the wingers dropped to form a 4-1-4-1 out of possession. The 4-1-4-1 eventually featured a flatter line of five; the single pivot moved up to complete the 4-5-1 shape.

What are the in-possession responsibilities of a 4-5-1?

The 4-5-1 predominantly features when a team is defending. In possession, it will usually convert into a 4-1-4-1 (below) or a 4-3-3.

In the 4-5-1, the centre-forward’s main job, in addition to scoring and creating, is to hold and secure possession of the ball. This should allow teammates to link into forward runners, which would usually be the number eights or wide midfielders pushing up the pitch on transition.

The number eights provide penetrative forward runs, often inside the wide midfielders (above). They may also narrow to support in the number 10 spaces, or as a second centre-forward during transitions.

A number eight may also move deeper, towards the ball, to create a temporary double pivot ahead of the back line (below). The central-midfield trio is responsible for maintaining possession, often via short passes, upon a regain or when a counter-attack isn’t immediately available. Retaining the ball allows the 4-5-1 to expand into other shapes and structures.

The wide midfielders are often the main counter-attacking outlet, making runs in behind or dribbling with the ball to get their team up the pitch. They will provide crosses for the central forward and midfield runners. Wrong-footed wide players, by contrast, may cut inside more, to work shots on goal.

The full-backs can provide secondary support in wide areas during transitional moments, especially if the wide midfielder ahead drives inside with the ball, or narrows without it. The full-backs should also assist the midfield by providing a short-passing option. Full-backs can do this by moving inside, which can push one of the number eights higher.

The centre-backs provide forward passes into the midfield unit, or more direct passes into wide areas for the wide midfielders. They can also drive into midfield via the inside channels, especially if the number eights have run forward.

What are the out-of-possession responsibilities of a 4-5-1?

The centre-forward should press opposing centre-backs to force the ball one way. This will be most commonly outwards, locking it to the touchline (below). Alternatively, the forward can drop deeper and screen access into the opposition pivot. This allows the central midfielders to form more of a zonal defensive screen, blocking the centre.

The central-midfield trio can apply player-oriented marking or the aforementioned zonal cover. The number eights can also support the forward’s press, locking the ball one way (below).

The wide midfielders can take up wider defensive positions due to the presence of the three central midfielders, who often defend as a flat trio. These wide players can help support ahead of the full-backs, and track opposing forward runs wide. Along with the full-backs, they force the ball outwards, using the touchline as an extra defender. Wide midfielders also help full-backs to block crosses and cut-backs when play has been locked on one side.

The centre-backs have ample cover and protection ahead due to the presence of the central-midfield trio, and can therefore focus more on the spaces behind. However, they may have to individually jump forward to deal with balls into an opposing central forward’s feet.

The back four maintain compactness in a more reserved block, shifting across as the ball is locked. They should be ready to drop back or squeeze up, in relation to the movement of the ball and opposing runners.

Examples of teams using a 4-5-1

1. Jürgen Klopp’s compact block at Liverpool

Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool are associated with incisive attacking and aggressive counter-pressing, but he has often used a 4-5-1 when a more compact block is required.

In this shape, Liverpool’s number eights have still had licence to jump out, while the wingers – especially Mo Salah – have been key outlets on attacking transitions. As the 4-5-1 expands, and the wingers advance, space has been created for Trent Alexander-Arnold to move inside from right-back. Below is an example of a 4-5-1 from Klopp’s Liverpool, during their cup double-winning 2021/22 season.

2. Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United mid-block

Eddie Howe helped to transform Newcastle with an impressive 4-5-1 mid-block. In this shape, Howe’s wide midfielders have worked back to stop full-backs Kieran Trippier and Dan Burn being overloaded. On Burn’s side especially, support from the winger has prevented a player perhaps more obviously seen as a centre-back being exposed in 1v1 moments against fast wingers (below).

Howe’s 4-5-1 has also jumped high to press, with the wingers working up the pitch to press high. Meanwhile, the likes of Joelinton, Bruno Guimarães, Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock have frequently pressed across the pitch to support wide regains.

3. Napoli 2019-2021 with Gennaro Gattuso

Under Gennaro Gattuso, Napoli won the 2020 Coppa Italia using a disciplined 4-5-1 mid-block, which they also deployed in the Champions League and Serie A. The forward – usually Dries Mertens or Arkadiusz Milik – would drop to receive, while wide midfielders Lorenzo Insigne and José Callejón progressed forward with the ball. Here, the front three was particularly fluid.

Out of possession, Napoli’s strength was their defensive flexibility. One of the central midfielders could support around Mertens or Milik to instigate a higher press (below). The central midfield would then readjust and push across, in cover. As such, Napoli adapted their block according to opposition threats, while remaining compact in the central spaces.

4. England under Gareth Southgate

After Euro 2020, Gareth Southgate gradually moved away from back-three systems, working towards a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 shape. But the England head coach still favoured a mid-block without the ball, utilising either a 4-1-4-1 or a flatter 4-5-1 shape.

In this shape, Declan Rice as the pivot often jumped forward, enabling the number eights to push up around Harry Kane. From here, Kane could force the ball wide and the closest winger jumped forward.

If a winger narrowed, Rice, Jordan Henderson, Kalvin Phillips and Jude Bellingham all had the defensive versatility and energy to cover the central spaces. As a result, the winger on the far side could instead track opposing forward runs.

What are the benefits of playing with a 4-5-1?

The 4-5-1 provides central compactness, with numbers, balance and cover. This maked it difficult for the opposition to progress through the middle of the pitch. It makes for a very effective low or mid-block, but can quickly and efficiently create higher pressing.

With the central-midfield trio’s compactness, wingers can track opposing full-back runs and stop overloads in the wide areas. Numbers in the central spaces can deal with subsequent crosses and cut-backs.

When starting in a 4-5-1, a single quick movement can lead to a different shape, allowing for fluidity and versatility. For example, one of the number eights can move higher to form a 4-4-2, or the deepest central midfielder can drop into a single pivot position, creating a 4-3-3. A double pivot can also form in a 4-2-3-1.

What are the disadvantages of playing with a 4-5-1?

The 4-5-1 is predominantly a defensive structure, or a base from which to instigate counter-attacking moments. Due to the flatness of the midfield unit, it can be harder to dominate the ball. When trying to play across the pitch, or switch the play with shorter passes, the midfield has to reorganise, often staggering into different lines. As this occurs, teams must be able to pass and receive, potentially under pressure.

Wingers’ counter-attacking output can be reduced, due to working back to help full-backs. The single central forward, meanwhile, can be isolated and easily overloaded when trying to begin a counter-attack. This is especially the case with direct, forward passes. Early support runs are therefore needed, but this can lead to less defensive compactness.

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Author: The Coaches' Voice

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