Google DeepMind, Liverpool Develop AI System for Football Tactics

Liverpool Football Club has teamed with Google DeepMind to develop an AI system that offers coaches tactical insights to enhance in-game strategies. 

The TacticAI system provides coaches with insights on set plays, like corner kicks, which are dangerous scoring opportunities when executed well.

TacticAI contains predictive models that can forecast outcomes like who is likely to receive the ball or whether a shot will be attempted based on the positioning of players. It also has generative models that can suggest adjustments to player positions to increase or decrease the probability of specific outcomes occurring.

For example, TacticAI could analyze a defensive corner kick setup and recommend repositioning defenders to reduce the chances of the attacking team getting a shot on goal. This allows coaches to proactively reshuffle formations to tilt the odds in their favor.

Liverpool have had some immense success with corners. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s ingenuous 2019 routine in the historic comeback against Barcelona showcased what can happen if you get corner tactics right. 

Google DeepMind found that the AI’s suggestions were preferred by human expert raters 90% of the time over tactical setups seen in practice. 

A system like TacticAI could revolutionize sports analysis, allowing coaches to spend less time manually reviewing videos and more time devising successful strategies.

Related:AI Picks Manchester City to Win the Premier League

Google DeepMind’s decision to partner with Liverpool comes as the club has been at the forefront of changing the way soccer clubs approach analysis.