Liverpool’s appointment of Arne Slot in May represented a leap into the unknown for both parties. Liverpool took their chances on a promising manager, but one with no coaching experience outside of the Netherlands.
Slot, meanwhile, had accepted the greatest challenge of his career, not only because of the pedigree of his new club, but because he would replace the club’s most successful manager in the last three decades in Jurgen Klopp.
Replacing an Icon
Slot surely understood that after the enormous success throughout Klopp’s term and the strong position his predecessor left the team, the pressure would have mounted quickly had the Reds not enjoyed a convincing start to the season.
Thankfully for the Dutchman, his side have impressed thus far. Aside from a dreadful showing in a shock home defeat to Nottingham Forest, four victories in five Premier League matches, and decisive wins over AC Milan and West Ham in the Champions League and League Cup respectively have kickstarted the Slot-era on an encouraging note.
Slot has undoubtedly benefited from inheriting a strong squad of players, but his team set-up has likewise benefited his players in every area of the pitch.
Slot’s preference for a more steady build up may not be as exciting on the eye as Klopp’s high tempo, direct attacking style, but has kept the Reds more secure both in possession and at the back when they lose the ball with the midfield better positioned to offer cover to the back four.
Their passing sequences to unlock opponent’s defenses in the final third and to confidently play out of the back have been exquisite at times.
Liverpool have clearly maintained certain elements of Klopp’s style as well, however. The Reds’ press has proved no less effective at denying opponents time and space on the ball, while they remain ruthless going forward on the counter.
Slot has likewise permitted Trent Alexander-Arnold to wield his ability on the ball from a more central position as he did regularly under Klopp.
Building on established Stars
Slot has not had a personal hand in the signing of any player in this squad other than possibly the addition of Federico Chiesa in the waning days of the transfer window.
Whether he’ll diverge from Klopp’s approach more once the club signs players suited to his style of play still remains to be seen.
However, he does deserve credit for the visible improvements from several players in the early weeks of the campaign.
After Ryan Gravenberch struggled to break into the first XI in an unremarkable debut season, he has flourished in Slot’s double-pivot midfield.
The midfielder has played with far greater conviction this campaign as his interceptions and forward- progression of the ball in each game have increased considerably from last season.
Similarly, Cody Gakpo appears far more eager to get on the ball and drive at defenders, as he did routinely in one of his finest performances in a Liverpool shirt in the Reds’ 3-1 win at the San Siro.
In his second start of the season against West Ham, the winger once again seized his opportunity, scoring twice in his side’s thumping 5-1 triumph.
The only factor that’s limited Gakpo’s starts has been his fellow left winger’s exceptional start to the campaign.
Since he signed for Liverpool, Luis Diaz has arguably proven the squad’s greatest source of creativity in the final third, but in previous seasons his goal total fell short of what many would consider reasonable for a winger in a title contending side.
In these early weeks of the season, however, the Colombian has added end product to his game and is currently his side’s top scorer with five goals in five league matches.
The talent of Gravenberch, Gakpo, and Diaz is undeniable, but it’s ultimately up to the manager to harness his players’ strongest qualities. Slot is certainly doing so with the three at the moment.
As immense as the adoration for Klopp is at Liverpool, his successor has not attempted to morph himself into another incarnation of the German coach. Nor should he. Slot is his own personality with his own tactical vision, and so far both have worked out just fine.