re: Liverpool FC 2012/13 Season Long Thread

Without making it too convoluted. Zonal marking is when each defender has his set zone and does not move out of his zone. The zone is that particular defender's responsibility. With man-to-man marking each defender has an opponent to mark out and defend against. So if your opponent moves you move with him, your opponent is your responsibility. Usually your marking target is decided before the game and is part of the game strategy (usually is the target is an accomplished header or finisher and you are the best defender in the air) sometimes (this is more rare) who marks who is decided right before the set piece. This is when Carra shout obscenities at people and makes them stick to opponents.

Think of it this way Zonal marking is when you are trying to stop the ball from getting to the opponent. Man to man is when you are trying to stop the opponent from getting to the ball. Neither is necessarily better than the other it is just based on the manager's choice and tactical nous.