Even though the fans and the Club had expectations of the new manager to take his time to settle in the Club and League, Arne Slot started the season with Guns Blazing all around. Granted he had came into a Club that was left by the previous manager in a great shape, there were still a lot of work needed to be done.
With the right morale boost from the manager, the locker room have stepped their foot into the matches in the right tone. And it is seen in the results. While the Liverpool way have not changed much from Klopp to Slot, there still are a lot of notable tweaks here and there. Even before joining the club before pre-season, Slot was known to be a technician.
His approach towards a game aligns perfectly with the high tempo football that the Premier League plays. While there have been speculations that the tactics from Arne Slot might be originated from the modern way of football, his approach towards the game has its roots on the conventional football.
From the perspective of a fan, it can be said that Liverpool might have changed their ways of pressing and attacking when the ball is at opponent’s feet, but they are now more comfortable in the defense. Their recent win against Xabi Alonso’s team is a perfect example of how Slot have made sure of the right balance within the team.
The little changes in Liverpool’s play after the arrival of Arne Slot
Despite the brilliant passing accuracy of Trent Alexander-Arnold and trademark Van Dijk’s long ball to Mo Salah, we see less of those these days. A strong reason behind this is Arne’s preference on the midfield.
Curtis Jones especially have thrived under Slot and it shows on the pitch. Jones has spoken how the new system of playing will involve midfielders more and rely on breaking the press and progress the play. In Liverpool’s recent games, you might have seen Jones or Szoboszlai to demand ball in the middle of the pitch. It was something that was seen very rarely under Klopp.
This kind of midfield preference goes well for the manager as the squad has a solid depth of experience players along with the nourished youngsters. Even though the Club has failed to sign a defensive midfielder in the transfer window, Gravenberch has stepped up for the job, and boy have he made an impact there.
The Dutch International is one of the best players in the squad under Slot. You would barely see him having a bad game. From the very first win this season, with the build up from Liverpool, you would notice a clear idea of playing short passes in the central position. It is done to attract the press from the opposition. The idea is to play through it and expose the insecurities left behind.
The highlight of this approach is the perfect angle created by the midfielders. These angles make sure of a quick third-man combo that can break through the press and move the ball forward in that short window.
While the wings were more focused on Klopp’s tenure with Robbo and Trent making their trademark runs and crosses on the box, as Slot arrived, a preference on the midfield prowess have been prioritized. As a result of that Jones, Gravenberch, and Alexis MacAllister have been phenomenal so far.
This sort of quick short passing have perfectly connected with Salah’s holding and Diaz’s trickery. Opening up quick spaces, as the season progresses, the team will only get better at this and reign terror on the opposition defense.
The difference in approaching a game between Klopp and Slot
To begin, Klopp’s main approach towards the games was gegenpressing. Invented by Ralf, Klopp has perfected it with his 2018-19 squad. The philosophy focused on high pressing and getting the ball back as quickly as possible with intense pressing. On the other hand, Arne Slot approaches the game in a controlled manner. While both of the managers focus on 4-3-3, there are times when Slot prefers the 4-2-3-1.
While Klopp’s high pressing game focused on the wings when Liverpool moved forward, with Arne, the wide players focus on stretching the defense line of the opposition wide that creates space in the center where he prefers short passing and quick angels. As this invites opponent pressing, the idea is for Liverpool to play through it and exploit the gaps.
With 62.57% win rate, here is Jurgen Klopp’s Premier League stats in his Liverpool tenure:
| Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goals against |
| 334 | 209 | 78 | 47 | 714 | 333 |
With 80% win rate so far, here is Arne Slot’s stats so far in Premier League:
| Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goals against |
| 10 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 6 |
While both of these managers have some similarities in their vision of modern football, when it comes to tactical approaches, it seems like Klopp’s primary focus was intensity while Arne Slot prefers dynamic control in short spaces.
How AZ Alkmaar were under Arne Slot
The tactical approach of AZ Alkmaar has been the staple behind the success of the Club. Every manager have introduced something new to the flair. From Van Gaal’s tactical discipline to Slot’s dynamic tactics, there are many elements behind the identity of the club.
Back in 2019, Slot took over the club and brought in a new approach with his favored 4-3-3 formation. The formation preferred the high pressing and possession focused play with rapid transitions.
His unique movement on and off the ball along with aggressive pressing have led the Club to finish second in the League that season, just missing out the first position.
Also Read: Who is Ruben Amorim? How can his tactics transform Man United?
Arne Slot’s wizardry with Feyenoord
If there was any Club were his tactical prowess have been shown to a great extent, it was with Feyenoord. From low build-up to inverted fullbacks, the Club has experienced a lot of tactical play under the tenure of the present Liverpool manager.
While in the low-build up Arne Slot had set the team up in the 3-32-3 formation, when they were in the high build-up, he had set the team in a 1-2-3-5 formation.
It was also seen from the manager to have the wingers wide and high. It had pulled apart the backline of the opposition. With the striker right in between the center-backs pulling them, the spaces between the LCB and LB or RCB with RB became too big. These spaces were then exploited by the Feyenoord players.
Often times, the high backline was seen in the team’s play as well. It was the key towards the possession-focused game that the Club enjoyed so much.
Upon the arrival in the Anfield, Slot was presented with a new challenge both on the pitch and off of it with a lot of fixtures. So far, the ex-Feyenoord manager have risen above the expectations of the Scousers.
As the games come up, we get to see more and more of the tactician’s approach of a game. Their upcoming game against Aston Villa will surely be another tactical treat for the fans.
FAQs
Q. Which club did Arne Slot manage before Liverpool?
A. Prior to joining Liverpool, Slot had managed Feyenoord and AZ Alkmar.
Q. Which formation does Arne Slot use?
A. He prefers 4-2-3-1, but there are times when he goes to the Dutch version of 4-3-3.
Q. When did Arne Slot start coaching?
A. Arne Slot started his managerial career in 2016.
Q. What did Arne Slot win?
A. He won the Eredivisie in 2022/23 and KNVB cup in the following year.