Whereas Liverpool could not go on to carry the most important trophies this season, it actually appears like they are going to be thrilling to look at on the very least.
Since arriving, Arne Slot has sought to implement a much less direct model of assault with a extra affected person strategy to breaking groups down.
Towards Arsenal, in Liverpool’s 2-1 pleasant win, we noticed a few of his rules in motion, and supporters had been excited by the kind of soccer they are going to be watching this season.
The targets Liverpool scored, each arrange by Harvey Elliott, had been prime examples of the model Slot believes could be efficient for the Reds.
Mo Salah acquired Liverpool’s first as he raced onto a wonderfully weighted by ball from Elliott, earlier than chopping throughout the chasing defender to make room for a end into the underside nook.
Determined to document for a minute and caught the @MoSalah aim! #LIVARS pic.twitter.com/3xeazRPm8M
— John Cappo (@JKCappo) August 1, 2024
It was a trademark Salah end, but it surely solely took place due to Liverpool’s spectacular composure in their very own half, albeit underneath the relative lack of stress of a pre-season pleasant.
After successful possession in his personal field, Sepp van den Berg handed proper to Conor Bradley who performed the ball into Salah’s ft.
The Egyptian, who had dropped deep, held the ball up and handed again to Jarell Quansah, for the defender to then alternate passes with Dominik Szoboszlai earlier than being pressured again to Caoimhin Kelleher.
It was right here the place the goalkeeper should be praised for lifting his head and taking part in an correct go as much as Diogo Jota, who laid the ball off to Elliott first-time within the house between Arsenal‘s midfield and defence.
From there, Salah was away and Elliott picked him out completely.
This aim, in addition to Liverpool’s second, which got here on the finish of one other passing transfer, may act virtually as a blueprint for the Reds this season.
What modified from the Actual Betis match?
Liverpool performed effectively of their first sport in opposition to Actual Betis, however this was a special type of workforce, one which shall be nearer to that which can play in opposition to Ipswich on August 17.
Having a recognised striker in Diogo Jota was a giant assist for Slot, who highlighted the significance of his ahead after the sport.
“I believe that helps to have somebody who naturally performs in that place,” mentioned the pinnacle coach.
That is what Slot meant when he mentioned “kill them with passes”.
Retain possession till there’s a chance to quicken the tempo and play these progressive passes. pic.twitter.com/zBlQduIj3F
— Sam McGuire (@SamMcGuire90) August 1, 2024
“Though Arsenal had been man-v-man everywhere, then it helps when you have a striker who is sensible and is clever, is aware of when to make the deep runs [and] is aware of when to carry the ball.
“I believe it was him who bounced the ball in direction of Harvey, the place Harvey may give the help to Mo. It helps to have somebody used to this place, particularly in case you play a workforce that’s man-v-man everywhere in the pitch.”
The attacking midfielder should carry out
Towards Arsenal, we noticed Elliott in a way more influential position, taking part in because the attacking midfielder, with Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones typically taking over a barely deeper place.
Slot was happy together with his efficiency however insisted the targets got here as a product of the workforce’s strategy.
The Dutchman defined: “He had two nice assists, however what I consider is that the workforce created these assists for him as effectively.
“Enjoying out from the again, getting him in the best positions – or one other No.10. Then it’s as much as him to deliver probably the most of those conditions and he did that at present with two assists.
“If I’m a bit arduous on him, I believe there have been two or three different conditions the place he may have finished higher.
“However that’s what the workforce is doing for him; we be sure that he and the opposite ones like Mo and like Fabio are available the best positions the place they’ll present their high quality. Harvey did that at present with two good assists.”
The position of Liverpool’s No. 10 was one thing Jones, who began subsequent to Szoboszlai in midfield, additionally picked up on after the sport.
Talking to The Redmen TV, he mentioned: “I’ll run as a lot as I can for Harvey so long as he goes and scores targets, targets and assists – I’m nice with that.
“It may be him who’s taking the limelight by way of his assists or the targets, however then Harvey will know the way a lot then he wants me.
“Then there may be a sport the place it’s my flip. It may very well be me because the No. 10 then it may very well be Macca (Alexis Mac Allister) alongside Dom (Szoboszlai), then it’s me who will get the aim or help, then the limelight’s on me.
“Nevertheless it’s in regards to the belief as effectively that we’ve acquired in one another.
“I really feel that Harvey and Mo and stuff can go and play free, understanding that me and Dom, though we’re attackers and what to get within the field, wish to rating targets, we’re gonna run for them, we’re gonna get again.
“And on the similar time, I used to be telling Harvey, ‘Look, it’s on us to get you the ball so that you keep excessive’.”
These feedback aren’t too dissimilar to what we’ve got heard from Jones earlier than, about how the midfield could have a modified position because the “coronary heart of the workforce.”
Slot will apply the identical rules as Jurgen Klopp, however that might find yourself wanting fairly totally different with Liverpool on the ball.
The Reds didn’t wrestle to attain final season, however the place they fell down was controlling the opposition risk. That’s the place this season shall be received and misplaced.
