4 Reasons to be optimistic following Liverpool's first win under Arne Slot

4. A clean sheet is the name of the game

Too many times down the stretch of the 2023/24 season did we see Liverpool conceding horrendous goals or just at the worst possible times.

A particularly big issue was the Reds falling behind in matches, which put so much pressure on them to perform that it surely had a negative outcome on their mentality in a lot of different games in the end.

When Liverpool were at their absolute best under Klopp, they were a fortress at the back and it was nigh-on impossible to find a way through.

While Slot wants the ball played out of the back more often with less long-balls, the main idea is still the same, control the narrative.

The gegenpressing days are over in favor of a more controlled chaos in short bursts. Van Dijk and whoever his partner is in the middle of defense have defined roles and they know what is expected.

There were some sketchy moments when trying to play out of the back or getting caught on a counter, but overall, it was a mostly positive beginning to what defensive life could be going forward. A clean sheet is always the first goal going into every match.

If Liverpool can make scoring first their new habit, it would go a long way to amplifying the dynamic attacking weapons they have as teams begin having to chase the game, rather than the other way round.