Replacing an icon like Jurgen Klopp was always going to be a big challenge, but Arne Slot has made the transition a smooth one. Since taking over, the Dutchman has not only maintained but enhanced Liverpool's style of play with a modern and effective style.
The statistics prove Slot's talent as The Kop have won 18 of their 20 games this season. In addition, not only Real Madrid but also the champions of England and Germany have been defeated by a total score of 8-0. That is a very impressive achievement for a coach who just debuted last summer.
Gone are the wild celebrations and punches in the air that Klopp used to give Slot, who brings calm and control. His style is more reserved, but that doesn’t diminish his connection with fans and players. On the contrary, the 46-year-old’s connection with Liverpool is strengthened by his directness and clarity in his communication.
The Reds players have expressed their love for Slot's subtle tactical adjustments, attention to detail and transparency in his instructions. He constantly changes the squad to suit each opponent and situation, helping Liverpool maintain high performance since the beginning of the season.
The win over Man City was a clear testament to Arne Slot's managerial skills. The decision to play Cody Gakpo on the left and use Luis Diaz as a centre-forward paid off immediately. Dominik Szoboszlai shone in the playmaking role, while Joe Gomez continued to prove his ability to replace Ibrahima Konate with distinction.
The first half of the match was arguably Liverpool's best performance under the new Dutch coach. The Anfield team completely dominated Pep Guardiola's team and continuously created dangerous opportunities. The downside was that The Kop's finishing was not very effective and they only led by 1 goal after the first 45 minutes.
In the second half, Liverpool no longer attacked aggressively but still controlled the game excellently. Although Man City had 66% possession in this half, they only had 1 shot on target.
With captain Virgil van Dijk in command, Liverpool's defense completely neutralized Erling Haaland. The Norwegian striker only touched the ball 16 times in the entire match, a number that showed his helplessness against the solid and disciplined defense of the Merseyside team.
Slot is not only excellent at adjusting tactics but also knows how to inspire the team. Every little detail of Liverpool's play bears his mark, from using Ryan Gravenberch as a defensive midfielder to exploiting the space behind the Man City defence.
“Winning against Real Madrid and Man City is great, but to win the title we need to maintain this form in every match” - Arne Slot shared.
3 important points against Man City not only helped Liverpool consolidate their top position but also confirmed that they are the strongest candidate for the championship this season. Under the leadership of Arne Slot, The Kop is not only strong in terms of durability but also comprehensively developed in terms of tactics and spirit.
Despite a long way to go and personnel challenges such as injuries to Konate and Conor Bradley, Liverpool are in an extremely favorable position. The confidence and stability that Arne Slot brings is a solid foundation for the Anfield team to aim for titles this season.
