Dutch commentator explains one tactic he expects Arne Slot to use at Liverpool to get players on board
Marciano Vink believes that new Liverpool head coach Arne Slot would use substitutions if the players don’t meet his demands. Vink believes that Slot is not afraid to take off players, regardless of their reputation, to get his message across.
Slot has a daunting task awaiting him at Anfield as he succeeds the legendary and beloved German manager Jurgen Klopp. Klopp installed a culture and philosophy at the club which resurrected Liverpool and brought it back to the upper echelon.
Liverpool have always operated under a restricted budget while competing with numerous high-spending rival clubs in the competitive Premier League. They needed a successor who could work in a similar environment while being compatible with the same culture and philosophy.
Liverpool’s CEO of football Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes eventually finalized Slot as the worthy successor to Klopp at Anfield. The 45-year-old has worked in a similar environment in the Netherlands, building Feyenoord under a restricted budget and developing players.
PSV Eindhoven are the high-spending club in the Netherlands while Ajax enjoyed dominance despite their recent fall from grace. Under Slot, Feyenoord won the Eredivisie title during the 2022-23 season and the KNVB Cup last season.
While PSV dominated the Eredivisie last season, Feyenoord achieved more points than they did in their title-winning season. Just like Klopp, Slot built a culture that balanced competitiveness for major trophies with the development of young players.
Vink told ESPN that Slot will use substitution as the method to get his message across when players are underperforming. He said:
“It’s going to be a lot similar to Klopp but this is going to be even more, more exciting if he gets the time, you know? Because in the beginning, he’s going to substitute players if they don’t bring what he wants. He’s really hard on that. If you don’t bring what he wants and what he demands, he’s substituting, it doesn’t matter who you are or how big you’re name is. He wants to see that you’re really there to play, go for it. If you lose, you lose. But in the end, you will see he will make progress with the team.”
Slot uses the same high-pressing philosophy that Klopp has deployed but the two managers have vastly different tactics. The Dutchman emphasizes more on the buildup play more than the counter-attacking football, bombarding the opposition box with numbers.
Liverpool’s squad is fluid and capable of playing in different high-pressing tactical variations which should help Slot. Furthermore, the 45-year-old has time to assess the players he is inheriting and his reputation of being a fantastic communicator should help.
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