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 may be purpose 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 number of absent senior gamers making certain 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 alternative.
Three friendlies and three wins later, we now have not been brief on precious insights into what we are able to anticipate shifting ahead and what nonetheless wants to alter.
Slot is massive on tactical flexibility and fluidity
Slot’s personnel has compelled his hand in some respect with regards to his tactical set-up – not having a pure ahead at first of the tour was one instance of that.
However what has been noticeable all through pre-season to date is how fluid the methods 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 guts of the workforce,” 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 isn’t working, qualities that can 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 identical 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 function – although the latter received’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 might create passing lanes is a should.
Liverpool received’t accept simply any No. 6, however now they’ve lower than a month to safe one.
The Reds are affected person when taking part in out from the again
It could be a small pattern dimension, 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 may be then area to take advantage of because the workforce progress by means of the thirds – it’s how the Reds scored their first aim 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 chance to quicken the tempo and play these progressive passes. pic.twitter.com/zBlQduIj3F
— Sam McGuire (@SamMcGuire90) August 1, 2024
That Tsimikas aim 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 occasions are key, and it’s no shock to see coaching drills have been tailor-made to those qualities – typically 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
Firstly of the summer time, it regarded 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 received’t be a first-choice choice, however with Joe Gomez‘s future doubtful, he might tackle the fourth-choice function.
We all know Slot’s system requires his defenders to be sturdy on the ball and Van den Berg has proven he could be calm and composed, and he has definitely baulked up over current years.
The Dutchman has given himself an opportunity at sticking round, and you may’t say he doesn’t should.
Slot may be very hands-on, very a lot a ‘coach’
All through the tour, it has turn out to be very evident that Liverpool have a really hands-on coach in Slot, who is quickly 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 methods.
A bodily strategy to coaching, quite a lot of selection and enjoyable
Selection is a crucial 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 deal with 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 holding 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 favor to work out when it’s enjoyable versus only a robust slog!
Niggles, however no new accidents!
There have been a variety of niggles and knocks, not unsurprising for pre-season, however no vital accidents, which is a significant enhance (*contact wooden it stays that method!).
Andy Robertson reported again with an harm from the Euros however he must be stepping up on return from the US tour, whereas Szoboszlai was rested in opposition to United as a result of fatigue.
Jones had niggles in his ankle and knee however he has declared himself “100% prepared,” which is able to afford Slot the prospect to work with all his senior gamers for the primary time.
Liverpool’s harm document during the last two seasons has been dismal – 22 senior gamers missed a sport as a result of health points in 2023/24 – however in Peeters, they’ve employed a specialist who can oversee optimistic change.
