How Arne Slot's Structured Tactics are Transforming Liverpool FC

Remember the first game under Jurgen Klopp? That was back in 2015, against Tottenham. The man gave almost 500 games and 9 years of his life to the club. Even though we felt a bit sad about his departure, we knew the change was needed. The club struggled. Some of last season's defeats were particularly stinging, The solution was needed. A new manager who will address the mental block. Someone with a fresh perspective.

When Liverpool announced Slot, plenty of people, including The Telegraph, screamed it was a big gamble. Slot didn’t have any international experience and was mostly unknown outside the Netherlands. But considering he won the League with Feyenoord without spending almost any money on the new players and was regarded as one of the best coaches in Feyenoord’s history, people started to get more convinced in his competence.

A Change of Tactics

Given this is the Slot's first gig in English football, his appointment has sparked much debate about the team's possible tactical evolution. During his first press conference, he shed some light on his philosophy. Adaptability over rigid formations, mostly. He highlighted the 'freedom' his players have in possession, contrasting with a more structured approach off the ball. The first glimpse of this new system was in pre-season friendlies.

Many were afraid he would stick to 4-2-3-1 formation from his Feyenoord days (even though Feyenoord played solid football in the Champions League). It's not something that would work well with the current lineup, so a flexible 4-2-4 was a more logical choice. The early results are great. The team's passing accuracy against Brentford reached an impressive 92%. Players kept their positions and regained possession quickly. A shift from the more direct and open style favored by Jurgen Klopp in his later years at Liverpool. This change has brought Anfield a sense of calmness.

Slot's system is structured, but it does show some adaptability. During his Feyenoord tenure, his number 8s were typically high in the 2-3-5. If one drops deep to receive and disrupt the opponent's shape, the full-back or winger seamlessly fills the void. This is exactly what gave Feyenoord its ability for quick reaction, controlled passing, and maintaining compact counter-press if possession was lost. Just like Guardiola or Postecoglou, Slot learned to use the "flexible triangle" concept to create space for attack. Something Liverpool lacked in the later years with Klopp.

What Does the Sportsbooks Say?

Sportsbooks are a great window into how things might play out. Websites that offer online betting in the UK were giving Slot the best odds when the rumours started to appear, predicting he was most likely to succeed Klopp, which ultimately happened. So what do they say about Liverpool’s future under Slot? Well, given the recent wins against Manchester United, Brentford, and Ipswich Town, things are looking good. Mo Salah is in great shape and the team looks confident, resulting in favourable odds for Liverpool.

Players Seem to be Happy

The players have been vocal in their support for Slot's methods. Curtis Jones described him as "amazing," highlighting the happiness within the squad due to a style of play that suits them. Tyler Morton praised Slot's "Total Football" philosophy, calling it "every midfielder's dream." Fabio Carvalho emphasized the focus on playing through the midfield, while Ryan Gravenberch expressed his excitement about the new manager's desire to play attractive football.

Challenges Ahead

It feels like both the players and fans are still so used to Klopp's way of football. The transition from Klopp's era to Slot's will undoubtedly present its own set of challenges, no matter how confident the initial games looked. Slot's approach to football is something players will have to get used to. The lack of significant transfers apart from Chiesa also doesn't go in Slot's favour. Then there’s the Champions League draw that should be addressed too. The group stage fixtures are demanding and will further put Slot’s tactics to the test. Slot acknowledges the challenge but remains focused on the task at hand.

However, overall, things look positive. While it's still early in Slot's tenure, the team's performance suggests a positive trajectory. The players are adapting to the new system, and patterns of play are emerging. The focus on possession and controlled build-up is yielding results already.