One month and three pre-season friendlies have provided us all a useful perception into what we are able to anticipate from Arne Slot‘s Liverpool, and there’s cause for cautious optimism.
The Reds’ summer time has not been as seamless because the membership would have hoped when it got here to Slot settling in, with a bunch of absent senior gamers guaranteeing he has but to work together with his full squad.
However that’s not to say he has not made an impression, it’s fairly the other.
Three friendlies and three wins later, we now have not been quick on helpful insights into what we are able to anticipate shifting ahead and what nonetheless wants to vary.
Slot is massive on tactical flexibility and fluidity
Slot’s personnel has pressured his hand in some respect in the case of his tactical set-up – not having a pure ahead in the beginning of the tour was one instance of that.
However what has been noticeable all through pre-season thus far is how fluid the techniques are – we now have seen 4-2-2-2, 4-2-4, 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 formations – and there’s an actual emphasis on the midfield.
“I really feel that now the centre-mids are going to be extra the center of the crew,” Curtis Jones instructed reporters on the primary cease of the US tour.
There’s a actual sense of flexibility and acceptance of tweaking and altering if one thing shouldn’t be working, qualities that may maintain Liverpool in good stead within the Premier League.
Nonetheless want that No. 6
Wataru Endo was a bandaid repair final summer time and there is similar want for a No. 6 this time round, which the Japan captain has even acknowledged himself.
He struggled in opposition to Actual Betis and was ‘dropped’ in opposition to Arsenal and Man United, with Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai all that includes within the double pivot position – although the latter gained’t be eager for use because the No. 6.
Alexis Mac Allister will assume one of many positions in Slot’s midfield, however pre-season confirmed {that a} defensive midfielder who’s dynamic, pacey, progressive and may create passing lanes is a should.
Liverpool gained’t accept simply any No. 6, however now they’ve lower than a month to safe one.
The Reds are affected person when enjoying out from the again
It could be a small pattern measurement, nevertheless it was sufficient to see how Liverpool are ready to be affected person with the ball on the again, attractive the opposition to press.
As soon as they do, it triggers the ball to be moved up the pitch the place there’s then area to take advantage of because the crew progress via the thirds – it’s how the Reds scored their first objective in opposition to Arsenal and located success in opposition to Man United.
That is what Slot meant when he stated “kill them with passes”.
Retain possession till there’s a possibility to quicken the tempo and play these progressive passes. pic.twitter.com/zBlQduIj3F
— Sam McGuire (@SamMcGuire90) August 1, 2024
That Tsimikas objective on replay ????
Slot ball is one thing else. pic.twitter.com/7nUzjF3XWD
— LFC Switch Room (@LFCTransferRoom) August 4, 2024
It performs into the strengths of all of Liverpool’s present ahead choices, although it does require the gamers on the again to be clear on the ball and succesful below stress.
Consciousness and response instances are key, and it’s no shock to see coaching drills have been tailor-made to those qualities – usually inside narrowed pitch limits – and Slot has even been heard bellowing “kill them with passes.”
Van den Berg has given himself an opportunity to remain
Initially of the summer time, it appeared virtually sure that Sepp van den Berg would transfer on this summer time, even he had commented about Liverpool’s unrealistic price ticket for him.
However the 22-year-old has been closely concerned and has taken Slot’s calls for in his stride. He gained’t be a first-choice choice, however with Joe Gomez‘s future doubtful, he might tackle the fourth-choice position.
We all know Slot’s system requires his defenders to be robust on the ball and Van den Berg has proven he could be calm and composed, and he has definitely baulked up over latest years.
The Dutchman has given himself an opportunity at sticking round, and you’ll’t say he doesn’t need to.
Slot may be very hands-on, very a lot a ‘coach’
All through the tour, it has grow to be very evident that Liverpool have a really hands-on coach in Slot, who is instantly in dialogue with gamers, main drills and bellowing out directions.
It’s a noticeable distinction to Jurgen Klopp, who relied closely on his backroom employees throughout classes – and that’s the distinction between a supervisor and head coach in a nutshell.
It makes for attention-grabbing viewing as Slot makes his presence identified, instructing his gamers on studying his model and techniques.
A bodily strategy to coaching, a number of selection and enjoyable
Selection is a vital coaching device, you by no means need issues to go stagnant and because of a brand new coach, you get new strategies and a unique concentrate on explicit expertise and traits.
Within the Slot period, there was a transparent emphasis on energy, power and endurance. Sort out pads have been utilized by coaches Ruben Peeters and Conall Murtagh as gamers run at them, take up the blow and energy on.
“It’s all about maintaining velocity whereas getting hit,” Peeters defined.
There’s been the usage of tennis balls for response drills, and tag-like video games – tapping into the gamers’ aggressive nature whereas additionally embracing ‘enjoyable’ – certainly all of us desire to work out when it’s enjoyable versus only a powerful slog!
Niggles, however no new accidents!
There have been a lot of niggles and knocks, not unsurprising for pre-season, however no vital accidents, which is a significant enhance (*contact wooden it stays that means!).
Andy Robertson reported again with an damage from the Euros however he ought to be stepping up on return from the US tour, whereas Szoboszlai was rested in opposition to United as a consequence of fatigue.
Jones had niggles in his ankle and knee however he has declared himself “100% prepared,” which can afford Slot the possibility to work with all his senior gamers for the primary time.
Liverpool’s damage file over the past two seasons has been dismal – 22 senior gamers missed a recreation as a consequence of health points in 2023/24 – however in Peeters, they’ve employed a specialist who can oversee optimistic change.
