Arne Slot: The Perfect Start

Author: Jack Guing, Last Updated: 18.11.2024

Liverpool fans head into the international break filled with optimism that the Arne Slot era can be a success, and that the success can be seen this season. Media and pundits particularly those wishing for the downfall of Liverpool like Gary Neville believed Slot would struggle with the enormity of the task in front of him, replacing Jurgen Klopp. So far at least, this has not been the case. It must be said that it is early days. Graeme Souness took over Liverpool in April 1991 and in his first full season (91/92) he began with 3 wins in 4 games in August. Souness would go on to struggle greatly at Liverpool and they would in fact finish 6th that season, their lowest finish since a 5th place in 1981, although that year they did win the League Cup and European Cup under then manager Bob Paisley. Slot certainly could not have dreamed of a better start to life in the Premier League so let’s take a look at their performances to this point and how he has managed to implement his style in no time at all.

Liverpool’s First 3 games

Liverpool began the season with a difficult trip to Portman Road to face newly promoted Ipswich, who were competing in the Premier League for the first time since 2002. Ipswich put in a fighting performance, particularly in the first half, but Liverpool’s quality was on display in the 2nd half resulting in a 2-0 victory. Liverpool had 62% possession, 18 shots, 5 on target and created 5 clear cut chances. Slot’s first league game at Anfield saw his side see off Brentford 2-0, in what was once again a controlled and dominating performance by Liverpool. They had 62% possession, 19 shots, 8 on target and had 4 clear cut chances. Last weekend's result would have been the sweetest of all the opening 3 games as Liverpool left Old Trafford with 3 points in a dominant 3-0 win over fierce rivals Manchester United. Liverpool had 48% possession, 11 shots, 3 on target and created 4 clear cut chances. If you watched the game, you would see that the 3-0 result almost flattered Manchester United with Mohammad Salah and Dominic Szoboszlai missing chances to further humiliate United.

Slot’s Style of Play

It can be seen from the opening games of the season that Arne Slot has managed to implement his style with the Liverpool players. Slot inherited a strong Liverpool squad who had worked under Jurgen Klopp, some of them for a number of years. He has managed to implement his style early. Slot wants to control possession and be patient which was seen in the opening games. One touch passing is evident especially in the attacking areas, slightly different than the transitional play that was seen under Klopp. Slot has certainly had the players at his disposal to implement this especially in midfield with Ryan Gravenberch showing his quality in Slot’s system. Slot plays a 4-2-3-1 with a double pivot in midfield with one of the 2 midfielders, in the case of the opening fixtures Alexis Macallister drifting forward and creating chances, while the other, Ryan Gravenberch sits back and controls the game, driving forward when the opportunities present themselves, like what was seen with Trent Alexander Arnold’s Liverpool’s disallowed goal at Old Trafford.

Slot has only been in the door a matter of minutes and has managed to get his players playing the style he wants, in contrast to fellow Dutch manager Erik Ten Hag who is entering his 3rd season but is struggling to implement his style. Ten Hag’s style at Ajax was possession-based football, focusing on quick passing and movement. This style has not materialised at United with Manchester United playing a counter attacking game with Ten Hag saying last year “I can’t play like Ajax because I have different players”, although he has spent over half a billion pounds and brought in a lot of former Ajax players, so why is he still struggling? It is still early in Slot’s Liverpool tenure, but it is impressive how he has managed to apply his style of play so quickly. Liverpool fans should be encouraged with the man who has been chosen to replace one of their greatest managers.

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