Experience the thrill of the game

By Eduard Banulescu

Arne Slot had a relatively short career as a football manager. But during this time he developed from an unknown into a respected coach in the Netherlands and now led Liverpool to new successes. And that’s due to Slot’s outstanding understanding of tactics and their implementation.

The transition from legendary coach Jürgen Klopp to Slot was more comfortable than virtually anyone expected. Everyone in the Reds camp breathes a sigh of relief.

I previously analyzed Arne Slot’s tactics at Feyernoord. However, I was surprised by Liverpool’s strong success in the new season. That’s why today I’m looking at what tactics Arne Alot is getting now that he’s at Anfield, what could be improved and what risks the club’s fans aren’t yet considering.

Career before managing Liverpool

Arne Slot’s rise to the top level of football management was quick. That much is famous. But it wasn’t Slot itself. Liverpool’s scouting was once again impeccable when they approached the manager. I admit that I didn’t expect her gamble to pay off so well.

Slot was a serviceable midfielder who spent most of his career representing NAC Breda. Shortly after his retirement, he joined the management and in 2016 became assistant to the small Cambuur.

Coincidence then played a role as he became the club’s interim and impressed, even claiming a victory in the KNVB Cup over the mighty Ajax Amsterdam. The result was that AZ Alkmaar came calling in 2019, and for a while everyone in the Netherlands was raving about the coach who had turned AZ into an unlikely force.

Slot didn’t hesitate to move to one of the biggest football institutions in the country. He won the title with Feyernoord in 2023 thanks to some impressive performances. The technically even more powerful PSV Eindhoven won the Slot title the next season.

But it didn’t matter. After Jurgen Klopp announced his departure from Liverpool, the club had begun their search and focused on Slot. What exactly did the Reds see in the Dutch upstart? How would he differ from other Dutch managers who hadn’t quite made the Premier League a success?

Arne Slot’s football philosophy is the same as what Liverpool have been playing for years. It was also consistent with the squad the club already has. One factor that many people ignored, myself included, is that Liverpool recruiters once again had a long-term vision.

Slots teams try to defend from the front and attack from the back. These teams play a very intense style of football that requires technical precision. These include full-backs who can provide assists, central defenders who can advance like playmakers with the ball at their feet, and strikers who are relentless.

Unlike Klopp, Slot was not a man immediately known for his charisma. But that could be misleading. Former players talk about a likeable man who is well versed in football tactics and manages to inspire his players and give them self-confidence.

Formations and adaptability

At the time of writing, Liverpool have started every EPL game in a 4-2-3-1 formation. This is also the system Feyernoord used with Slot at the helm. This formation can easily transition into a 4-3-3 or 4-4-1-1 formation.

It is a style that can be easily adapted to the opponent and is why it is used by so many top clubs.

The full-backs are usually very important in this style of football. In the last two seasons, Feyernoord often had their chances to score through attacks from the wing. The team used a technically advanced playmaker. The team relied on a striker to get the ball into the penalty area.

That’s exactly what Liverpool have done this season. However, it should be noted that all of these players were already part of the Reds squad. Alexander-Arnold and Robertson have been the best full-back pairing in the game for several years. Szboszlai has developed into a great playmaker. And Diego Jota is a real goal threat when he’s fit.

Feyenoord in defense

Liverpool are currently leading the Premier League table. But the most striking stats are defensive stats. Liverpool have only conceded three goals in eight games. In one of them, Caoimhin Kelleher represented regular goalkeeper Alisson Becker.

Arne Slot doesn’t improve Liverpool’s defense so much by working on the way the four defenders work together. This had largely been resolved during Klopp’s time. Rather, slot improves every other player’s defensive contribution.

In the defensive phase, the full-backs play tighter. Because they can increase security in the middle of the pitch, this means that Virgil van Dijk or Ibrahima Konate, the central defenders, can advance more freely with the ball.

Attacking players can also drop deep into the defensive position. For example, team leader and consistent goalscorer Mohamed Salah was often seen dropping deep into defense and securing the cross. This gives Trent-Alexander Arnold the freedom to take a more central position, putting additional pressure on the opponent’s attacking players.

However, there is still a high risk. Liverpool still defend with a very high line. Players use pressing to force opposing players onto the flanks and win the ball back by creating overshoots.

Yes, counterpressing has proven effective. But even Klopp would admit that if that’s not the case, it creates a lot of problems and leads to conceding goals. It remains to be seen how and whether Liverpool’s bigger rivals will take advantage of this.

While Slot almost always starts in a 4-2-3-1 formation, roles are more important to him than positions. Players must be able to play numerous roles and swap with their counterparts with ease.

For example, defenders need to switch roles if they want to help build play. Goalkeeper Alisson could step up and become an additional passing option for the two central defenders. Or, for the same reason, one of the full-backs drops deep and reaches inside.

Defenders are expected to pass accurately and play under pressure. With her movement and technique, Slot opens the way for teams that want to harass her from the front. In this way, Liverpool creates space for attacks, especially on the wings.

How Liverpool is building

Jürgen Klopp’s style of football has brought many new fans to Liverpool. The team used aggressive pressing to launch rapid fire and relentless counter-attacks. Slot, on the other hand, wants his team to dominate possession. Liverpool rely less on a fast pace and place greater emphasis on controlling the rhythm of the game.

Fluidity is key to building slots Liverpool. Players are instructed to adjust their movements to always create a numerical superiority and provide passing opportunities for the players on the ball.

Liverpool will also use pressing traps. Ideally, as was the case in the game against Manchester United, this neutralizes the opposition’s determination to apply pressure, essentially creating decoys who then release an additional player, usually a full-back, to receive the ball .

Although Liverpool start every game in a 4-2-3-1, the movement of players on the pitch is dictated by the demands of each game. For example, the double pivot shifts further downward to create superiority over an opponent pressing with four or more players.

Liverpool has a squad that not only consists of equal attacking players, but also players of different types. Everyone can offer something different. However, the way the team moves the ball into a dangerous area is usually the same.

Liverpool in attack

Liverpool tends to build more slowly than under Jürgen Klopp. Like Bayer Leverkusen, this version of the Reds likes to take advantage of quick cuts.

This means that while the full-backs or wingers, such as Mohamed Salah or Luis Diaz, work to create width and get the ball into advantageous crossing positions, they always prefer to narrow down towards the central area just outside the penalty area.

Slot wants his attacking players to push this area. There are a few reasons for this. Firstly, the inclusion of additional players creates passing opportunities. Secondly, players like Szoboszlai or Mac Allister can play a one-two with the winger. Thirdly, if they remain unchallenged, they can shoot on goal.

Finally, the strikers will try to run between the defenders who are trying to counter the danger posed by the players occupying the aforementioned central area. Alexander Arnold, Gravenberch or Mac Allister are the players most likely to attempt a killer through the ball.

While Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez were at the heart of these attacks, it was the wingers who scored the most goals. Salah and Diaz are the team’s most dangerous players, creating the most scoring opportunities and attempting the most dribbling at the same time.

What’s next for Arne Slot? and Liverpool?

Arne Slot has started his tenure as Liverpool manager far better than most expected. He has shown great tactical knowledge and the ability to instantly gain the respect of his players.

While this will take a lot of the pressure off the club’s hierarchy, the path to success won’t necessarily be smooth. The Premier League is more competitive than ever, as are European competitions.

What is certain is that Liverpool are proving to be one of the best-run football clubs in the world, with squads and management decisions focused not just on immediate success, but hopefully legacy as well.