Arne Slot has made an impressive start at Liverpool, achieving something Jurgen Klopp only managed once during his eight-season tenure: winning the first three Premier League games without conceding a goal.
With Klopp’s departure after a highly successful reign that included both the Champions League and Premier League titles, Slot was tasked with maintaining the high standards set by his predecessor.
Let’s delve into how Slot’s approach, known as ‘Slotball,’ differs from Klopp’s dynamic style and what it means for the future of the team.
Liverpool’s only significant summer signing was Federico Chiesa from Juventus, but the winger has yet to make his debut.
Slot has largely worked with the squad left behind by Klopp, with a few key departures, including centre-back Joel Matip.
Despite some concerns from fans about not securing a defensive midfielder, like Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, Slot has managed to integrate Ryan Gravenberch into the role, demonstrating both flexibility and adaptability in his tactics.
Klopp vs Slot: What stats say
Under Slot, Liverpool has shifted to a 4-2-3-1 formation, a departure from Klopp’s preferred 4-3-3. This change places Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister as the two defensive midfielders, while Dominik Szoboszlai has been pushed further forward in a more attacking role.
These tactical adjustments have allowed Liverpool to play with more control and balance, as opposed to Klopp’s trademark high-pressing, frenetic style. The team has been notably more disciplined and less chaotic, while still maintaining an attacking edge.
Liverpool’s start to the season has been nothing short of impressive. The team won their first three league games with a combined score of 7-0, including an authoritative 3-0 victory over Manchester United.
This strong start is reminiscent of Klopp’s 2018-19 season when Liverpool also won their opening three matches with clean sheets.
The early defensive solidity under Slot suggests a more organized approach, which contrasts with Klopp’s occasionally chaotic but thrilling style of play.
The tactical shift under Slot is evident in several key areas. Liverpool are now controlling slightly less possession than under Klopp, averaging 57% compared to the former manager’s 61%.
In terms of shots, Klopp’s teams typically averaged more (21 per game compared to Slot’s 16), but Slot’s team has shown better passing accuracy, with an 88% completion rate compared to Klopp’s 86% (as per Opta).
Defensively, Slot’s Liverpool faces fewer shots per game, reflecting a more structured defensive setup and improved organization.
While Slot’s team still incorporates elements of Klopp’s high-pressing style, the overall approach has been more controlled, with a focus on avoiding being caught out on the counter-attack.
Slot’s authority is evident in his tactical changes, which bring a new sense of stability to the team while still keeping their attacking threat intact.
How Mo Salah has adapted to ‘Slotball’
One player who has embraced the shift is Mohamed Salah. The star forward has scored in every game this season and recently shared his thoughts on the tactical change.
“It’s quite different to before. Now we are trying to control the ball all the time. Before it wasn’t really the number one thing because, with Jurgen, we mostly tried to counter-attack or counter-press and win the ball as high as possible. We’re still doing that, but we also have more time to keep the ball and move it around.”
Salah explained.
Under Slot, Liverpool has begun the season with a strong defensive record and a more measured approach to possession.
While some aspects of their play remain familiar, the tactical adjustments reflect a clear shift towards greater defensive stability and more calculated control, signalling an intriguing evolution in the team’s style
Slot’s influence is already taking shape, promising a Liverpool side that is as solid at the back as it is exciting going forward.