Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has started to implement his identity as the team showed his style against Ipswich Town. The Reds won the opening away Premier League game against the newly promoted side 0-2 to secure the three points.
Unlike other clubs, Liverpool have not signed a single senior team player yet as the transfer deadline day closes in. The Reds are relying on the squad that Slot inherited from legendary manager Jurgen Klopp, trusting the Dutchman’s coaching abilities.
Liverpool has a good combination of young squad with some very experienced players who played a pivotal role under Klopp. The idea is for Slot to use his tactical style while developing the youngsters to achieve this season’s club’s ambitions.
Liverpool conceded a lot of goals last season while facing a surprise late dip in form which hurt their ambitions. The Reds also suffered from poor finishing and moments of edginess throughout the season which escalated with a drop in form.
There is a good argument that Slot’s tactical differences could help produce consistency and efficiency in Liverpool’s senior squad. This is no disrespect to the tactical brilliance of Klopp but merely acceptance of how things have changed in football.
Speaking to pundit Jamie Carragher in an interview with Sky Sports, Slot addressed the tactical difference between him and Klopp. He said:
“Liverpool used every moment they could to play the ball in behind [before]. That meant that the game was sometimes a bit open, especially in the last period of Jurgen. Sometimes I tell the players to get a better judgement in risk and reward. So if you can put some balls in front of the goalkeeper, please try and do so if not, it’s also a good idea to keep the ball but I’m sure if Jurgen was in the room now he’d say he’d want to keep the ball once in a while too. In general, I see that still some players are trying to play the difficult ball which doesn’t get the reward for the risk they take.”
Slot’s style asks players to act more patiently on the ball which allows them to take less risk. It also always players to gather themselves and pace themselves according to the game instead of attacking all the time.
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Liverpool are counting on Slot to get the best out of the young squad that he has inherited. However, the transfer window is still open and fans know that certain incomings could happen before the deadline day as few areas require re-evaluation.