After three pre-season friendlies in a month, we have gained valuable insight into what to expect from Ane Slot’s Liverpool and there is reason to be cautiously optimistic.
The summer hasn’t been as smooth as the club had hoped for when it comes to slotting in, with a number of key members of the squad still unavailable to work with the full squad.
But that doesn’t mean he didn’t make an impression. Quite the opposite.
After three friendlies and three wins, we now have valuable insight into what to expect going forward and what still needs to change.
Slots are all about tactical flexibility and fluidity.
The slot’s manpower has forced him to move somewhat in relation to tactical setups, one example being the lack of a natural striker at the start of the tour.
But what has stood out during pre-season is how flexible the system is. We’ve seen 4-2-2-2, 4-2-4, 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1 formations, and there’s a huge emphasis on the midfield.
“I think the centre-mid is going to be the heart of the team now,” Curtis Jones told reporters at the first stop of the US tour.
There is a flexible attitude to adjust and change things when things don’t work out, a quality that will help Liverpool do well in the Premier League.
I still need number 6
Last summer, Wataru Endo was just a stopgap measure, and this time around, a number 6 is needed again, as even the Japanese captain Endo himself admits.
He struggled against Real Betis and was ‘left out’ against Arsenal and Manchester United, with Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai all playing in a double pivot role – although the latter will be unlikely to be used as a No. 6.
Alexis McAllister is expected to play as one of the midfielders in the slot, but pre-season has shown that a dynamic, quick, progressive defensive midfielder who can create passing lanes is a must.
Liverpool will not be content with just a number six, but they now have less than a month to secure one.
Reds are patient when playing from behind
It’s a small sample size, but it’s enough to see how patient Liverpool are with the ball in defence and how they force opponents to apply pressure.
This causes the ball to move up the pitch, creating space for teams to exploit as they get past the third line of defence. This is how the Reds scored their first goal against Arsenal and how they had success against Man Utd.
This is what Slot meant when he said “kill them with a pass”.
Keep possession of the ball until you have a chance to speed things up and try to make a forward pass. pic.twitter.com/zBlQduIj3F
— Sam McGuire (@SamMcGuire90) August 1, 2024
In the replay, it was Chimikas’ goal????
Slot balls are another thing. pic.twitter.com/7nUzjF3XWD
— LFC Transfer Room (@LFCTransferRoom) August 4, 2024
This tactic makes the most of all of Liverpool’s current attacking players, but requires the defenders to be good on the ball and capable under pressure.
Awareness and reaction time are key, and it’s no wonder that training drills are geared toward these qualities. Often within tight pitch limits, it’s no wonder that slots scream “kill them with a pass.”
Van den Berg gave himself a chance to stay.
At the start of the summer, it seemed almost certain that Sepp van den Berg would move on this summer, with even the striker himself speaking about the unrealistic price tag Liverpool were charging him.
But the 22-year-old has been heavily involved and has taken Slot’s demands at his own pace. He’s not the No. 1 pick, but he could fill a No. 4 role with Joe Gomez’s future uncertain.
We know that the slot system requires defenders to be strong on the ball and Van den Berg has shown that he can be calm and composed, something he has certainly struggled with in recent years.
The Dutchman has been given a chance to stay in the team and there is no way to say he doesn’t deserve to stay.
The slots are very practical and like a ‘coach’.
During the tour, it became clear that Liverpool have a very practical coach in Sloat, who actively discusses with the players, guides them through training sessions and shouts out instructions.
This is a stark difference for Jurgen Klopp, who relies heavily on his backroom staff during sessions. In simple terms, it is the difference between a manager and an assistant coach.
It’s an interesting spectacle to see slots making their presence known and instructing players to learn their style and system.
A physical approach to training, full of variety and fun
Variety is an important training tool, you don’t want things to get stagnant and with the help of a new coach you can get new approaches and have a different focus on certain skills and traits.
In the Slot era, there was a clear emphasis on power, strength and endurance. Coaches Ruben Peeters and Conall Murtagh used tackle pads to help players run, absorb hits and generate power.
“The key is to maintain speed while taking hits,” Peters explained.
There are also ways to train your reaction using a tennis ball or play tag games, which can help players feel competitive while also having some ‘fun’. You’d rather have fun than hard work!
A few hiccups, but no new injuries!
Preseason has had some minor issues and injuries, not surprisingly, but nothing serious, which has really helped (*staying on that, banging on the tack!).
Andy Robertson is coming off an injury sustained at the Euros but could feature once he returns from the US tour, while Szoboszlai was rested against United due to fatigue.
Jones has had some soreness in his ankle and knee but declared he is “100 percent ready”, giving Slot the chance to work with all the senior players for the first time.
Liverpool’s injury record over the last two seasons has been abysmal, with 22 players missing games due to fitness issues in 2023/24. But in bringing in Peters, they have brought in a specialist who can oversee a positive change.
