Arne Slot has won 11 of his first 12 games at Liverpool as the club eases past the Jurgen Klopp era. Ahead of the Dutchman’s biggest test yet, here’s why Slot has been such an instant hit at Anfield.
RETURN TO THE ‘LIVERPOOL STYLE’
The most obvious thing when watching Liverpool without the ball this season compared to last is that they are narrower and more compact.
When they defend as a team from this tighter position, they are harder to play against, a big part of the reason why they have only conceded three goals in eight Premier League games so far.
They still press high at the beginning of games, but it’s not like in Klopp’s days, when it was more frequent during the 90 minutes and the full-backs kept pressing. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson are certainly not as enthusiastic now.
Arne Slot has enjoyed a near-perfect start to life as Liverpool manager since taking over in the summer.
The Reds went into the weekend’s games at the top of the Premier League, with 21 points from eight games.
Defensively they are more rigid than during the Klopp era. Jurgen had two number 8s, while Slot opts for two starters and a Liverpool player is rarely seen isolated one on one. It may mean that they are not as exciting in attack, but they are safer in defense.
Klopp’s formation was 4-3-3, while Slot’s is a more deliberate 4-2-3-1. We saw against Chelsea and Leipzig last week that they are happy to be patient and measured in their preparation, especially when they are ahead.
Of course, they still choose moments to play directly and quickly against the front players. Being able to do both makes Liverpool very dangerous. During the glory days of the 1980s, Liverpool found success by controlling games. It wasn’t full speed the entire time.
TRENT THE DEFENDER
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s quality on the ball is no secret, but this season we have seen another side to his game. He has operated as a more orthodox right-back and his defensive abilities have not received the credit they deserve. There will be times when Liverpool will have good possession and still be able to occupy the midfield, but overall they are now in a better starting position to defend. Some advantages are lost in the final third, but the results so far cannot be disputed.
Alexander-Arnold looks fitter and stronger than ever and it is clear there has been some training in his defence.
We know that the contract ends in the summer. If he goes to Real Madrid, it will be for a new challenge, not because of discontent with his new role, although he will not have enjoyed being substituted seven times this season.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has put in a number of excellent defensive performances this season.
GRAVENBERCH AS A NEW SIGNING
There was criticism that Liverpool did not spend much in the summer, but giving Ryan Gravenberch a new role as a holding midfielder felt like a new signing.
Gravenberch deserves credit, but so does Slot for making it work when he could have gone with a more natural destroyer like Wataru Endo. Gravenberch has been key for Liverpool to maintain more possession. With Alexis Mac Allister or Curtis Jones by his side, it is easier to play between the lines.
We knew that the Dutchman was technically very good, but it is the other team, which smells danger when the rival breaks down, which has exceeded my expectations.
Liverpool’s more measured approach also depends on the mentality of its players. The management of the games has been impressive.
Once ahead, they resisted the temptation to take risks by going for more goals and controlled the pace. Having the added insurance of Gravenberch has benefited Dominik Szoboszlai, whose athleticism makes him a good candidate for the No. 10 role further down the line. I think Slot will take out the Hungarian and Gravenberch in the Emirates. The final midfield spot is between Mac Allister and Curtis Jones, who had his best Liverpool game against Chelsea last weekend.
Ryan Gravenberch took advantage of his opportunity to occupy the base of Liverpool’s midfield with both hands
Jurgen Klopp’s appearance at Liverpool matches has not been a distraction for the Dutchman
NO KLOPP WATCHING
It helps for Slot that Klopp hasn’t been to an Anfield match, so the camera focuses on him after a bad result, such as the home defeat against Nottingham Forest.
Like all senior managers, Slot is determined enough to believe in his methods, so I don’t think Klopp’s presence would have affected him directly. But as we saw in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era at Old Trafford, it simply creates an unnecessary distraction for others to take advantage of.
ESTABLISHED ALIGNMENT
There was a significant moment when Ibrahima Konate came on for Jarell Quansah at half-time in the season opener at Ipswich.
Since then, Slot has stuck with the same back four and the partnership between Konate and Virgil van Dijk has given Liverpool the foundation to build on to an excellent start.
In its first weeks it was important to allow understanding to develop between the players.
Slot has chosen to select a fairly consistent lineup in the Premier League and Champions League this season
Slot also gave the front three of Mo Salah, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz time to gel.
As the season progresses, slots will rotate. We’ve already seen him begin that process with Cody Gakpo and Darwin Núñez getting playing time. Díaz was rested against Chelsea after playing for Colombia. However, the coach was astute in starting with a clearly defined first eleven and that has accelerated the team’s success.
