In the last weeks of the Premier League season, speculation about who will replace Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager has been rampant.
After agreeing to a compensation agreement worth more than £9 million with Feyenoord, the Reds have seemingly appointed Arne Slot as their next manager to take over at Anfield beginning with the upcoming season.
12Arne Slot is set to take over at Liverpool next seasonCredit: Getty
12It comes with Jurgen Klopp stepping down at the end of the seasonCredit: Alamy
1Once again, Feyenoord will be a member of the Champions League.
Former Netherlands international Johnny Rep has backed the 45-year-old to win a record 20th English title with Liverpool.
After a successful tenure at Feyenoord, Slot turned down an offer from Spurs last summer. While with AZ Alkmaar, he was equally remarkable.
His future at Anfield is uncertain, although he is well-known for his belief in youngsters and commitment to attacking football.
The two clubs are nearly identical when it comes to possession, despite Slot’s preference for a 4-2-3-1 configuration and Liverpool’s 4-3-3 approach.The types of profiles utilized for recruitment and their functions inside the system will differ significantly.
We have taken a look at three aspects of Slot’s Liverpool that we expect to see and what they may meаn for the current squad below..
Deep build-up
12How Slot lines up his Feyenoord team
1What the present Liverpool squad may look like under that setup
One of the newer schools of thought among football coaches, Slot advocates for a two-deep central midfielder formation that begins with the goalkeeper, defenders, and two deep midfielders.
As Feyenoord builds out from the defense, the formation can take on the appearance of a 2-4 or 2-3 depending on the play of the two midfielders, who have been Mats Wieffer and Quinten Timber, respectively.In a typical formation, the two central defenders will distribute deep options by splitting out, while the fullbacks will typically push forward to align with the central midfielders’ line.
After that, the two midfielders will either play as a tandem or one will sit while the other surges forward..
1This is the Feyenoord’s structure, which has a staggered buildup.
The two central defenders are usually the ones to receive the ball from these deeper regions; it is their job to be comfortable with the ball and to make progressive passes that split the lines.
Slot has used David Hancko in a similar capacity at Feyenoord this season. One defender who often fills a similar position for Liverpool is Virgil van Dijk..
1The two central defenders typically remain deep as the fullbacks advance in a 2-4 formation, as is the case with Feyenoord.
While Ibrahima Konate struggles to maintain control of the ball, Van Dijk is able to efficiently advance the ball and is at ease when in possession.
This means that Konate’s status might be in jeopardy under the new framework.And because of this, 21-year-old Jarell Quansah may end up getting the nod instead of him.
But the summer is when they’ll probably start looking for candidates for the job..
Importance of the midfield pivot
At Feyenoord, Slot’s strategy relies heavily on the midfield pivot, which consists of the two players deepest in the middle of the field. Two of the team’s key lynchpins this season—Wieffer, 24, and Timber, 22—have laid the framework for growth and advancement into the latter third.Playing this position well requires a combination of defensive tenacity and creativity up top, as well as the ability to create plays from deeper positions. Due to Liverpool’s history of playing with a single pivot, the club may require some adjustment time to the new space and angles provided by a double pivot.
1In this situation, the ball enters Wieffer’s court, and he opens himself up by touching the ball before advancing it.
If Liverpool go to a two-man midfield, Wataru Endo—who has shown promise as a single pivot at times this season—could be the one to go.
Alexis Mac Allister, who just won the World Cup, is a natural fit for the position, while Trent Alexander-Arnold may be able to shift into center midfield now that Conor Bradley has emerged at right back..
1Here, Wieffer sets up Calvin Stengs for a goal by passing the ball to him in the final third of the pitch; this is an example of how midfielders should be contributing to attacks.
Alexander-Arnold started the new season in this capacity after spending the previous two years at fullback.
Nevertheless, he may now be ready to commit to the transformation for good.
Any way you slice it, Liverpool is about to undergo a transformation.
Liverpool might target Wieffer or another player with similar skills in their pursuit of a new midfielder..
Final third creativityLiverpool under Klopp have been famous for their use of a “inside forwards” in the wide areas with the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz proving incredibly effective.
For the most part, this worked since it instructed the center striker to drop deep and create space, which resulted to seasons with a lot of goals.
Due to his experience with Santiago Gimenez in a similar role at Feyenoord, Slot may find this tactic appealing, since it aligns with Liverpool’s new strategy of having the striker lead the line and remain as the top player.
In turn, this will open up space deeper, where the center оffensive midfielder and wide attackers may receive the ball and try to break through.
1Here, Igor Paixao dives deep to receive with Gimenez, setting up an opportunity for Feyenoord to capitalize, and runners are quick to target this area.
The wingers, playing under Slot, will likely try to keep wide positions while remaining on the outside, stretching the defense.
With interest returning from the Saudi league, this may be the moment when Liverpool try to cash in on their оffensive talisman, Salah, which might have a direct influence on his future..
1In this area, Feyenoord has possession, which is ideal for Szoboslzai and the team as a whole.
Dominik Szoboszlai or Cody Gakpo, playing as the 10 in the оffensive midfield position, can take advantage of the space created by the wingers who stay on the outside.
Actually, it seems like Liverpool already have depth at this position.
One of the most noticeable departures from Klopp’s last few seasons’ method of play will be Slot’s usage of the three players behind the striker.
To give Darwin Nunez a better chance to score from midfield, the team should try to widen the field and rely on their center players to generate chances..
Conclusion
When Klopp steps down as Liverpool manager next season, the club’s faithful will have a lot of ground to cover.
That being said, Arne Slot’s preferred method is both successful and adaptable, and it seems tailor-made for success in the Premier League and Europe.
12How Slot’s Liverpool may look after some transfers from Feyenoord