When Liverpool won the Premier League last season, Arne Slot just had to follow on from Jurgen Klopp's playbook with the German's squad. It was much like Bob Paisley following on from Bill Shankly with the Reds.
Credit must go to Slot for turning a side that finished third in Klopp's final season into champions.
However, he is suffering from second-season syndrome. Liverpool is currently eighth in the Premier League and already eight points behind the leaders Arsenal after just 11 games.
Slot's biggest flaw has been his inability to bed in his new signings. Players such as Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz joined for big fees but have been unable to make an impact at Anfield.
Wirtz had a big reputation in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen. However, he is yet to score or make an assist in the Premier League this season.
Isak had no pre-season as he went on strike at Newcastle United to force his move to Liverpool, but he has also yet to impress for the Reds.
Other signings, such as Milos Kerkez, are yet to play as well for Liverpool as he did for Bournemouth. Whilst Jeremie Frimpong has found stepping into Trent Alexander-Arnold's shoes difficult while battling fitness.
Arne Slot has not been able to get the best out of new recruits
Only one of Slot's recruits seems to have done okay. Hugo Ekitiké has scored six goals in 16 matches for Liverpool so far. However, he was stupidly sent off against Southampton in the EFL Cup. The Frenchman has also not scored in his last five league games.
There have been a few highs for Liverpool recently, such as beating Real Madrid in the Champions League. The Reds always step up on European nights at Anfield.
Liverpool also beat Aston Villa in the Premier League to end a four-match losing streak in the division.
In that match, Slot reverted to his system of last season. The Reds were unable to back up the win over Villa, as they then went on to lose 3-0 to Manchester City.
If Slot is to save Liverpool's season, then he will have to keep sticking to his structure that won the league last season.
Either that or he needs to find a way to get the best out of his recruits. It takes time for players from abroad to adapt to the division. It is also difficult for those signed on big transfer fees to adapt to representing a bigger club.