Football Wyscout Performance Analysis

Seamless Succession - Analyzing Arne Slot’s Liverpool

10 Oct, 2024

6 Min Read

By Edward Stratmann

As clubs increasingly turn to data in their search for a head coach, we run the rule over new Liverpool boss and use Wyscout data to analyze his start to the season.

Taking over from the legendary Jurgen Klopp was never going to be an easy task, but Arne Slot unquestionably deserves credit for doing such a superb - albeit understated - start to life at Anfield.

Slot arrived on Merseyside on a three-year deal with big shoes to fill. His comments in his opening press conference illustrated his keenness to not only build on Klopp's exceptional work, but to also stamp his own mark on the side.

“As a manager you want to work at a club with good players and an opportunity to win something. The past has shown there is a possibility to win some trophies. I look at it as ideal," the new Liverpool boss insisted.

“People look at us and think we only think about the tactics board, but you have to think about the way you talk to the players. It is not about convincing them, it is part of the job to think about the best way to get the best out of them; whether to approach them as an individual or as a team.

“I don’t have Jurgen Klopp in mind, thinking ‘what would he say’. No. I have to get to know the players to get the maximum out of them.”

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While Slot hasn't come in and tried to completely reinvent the wheel, there have still been many interesting ideas that he has already implemented successfully on his way to winning nine of his first 10 games - the first manager in Liverpool’s history to do so - and propelling his team to first in the Premier League table.

Preferring a fluid base 4-2-3-1/4-2-4/4-3-3, Slot's side has been a more patient and methodical outfit in possession, with their double pivot in midfield notably giving them more control.

Liverpool's average positions vs. AC Milan - Wyscout Match Report

Still moving the ball with purpose and precision, Liverpool have done a terrific job of waiting for a weakness in the opposition shape with their strategic ball circulation, before duly exploiting any gaps to inject impetus into their attacks.

Keeping opponents guessing with his tactical flexibility, the way Slot’s midfield morphs into different shapes with slick height adjustments and rotations has been notable.

Moreover, the way the full-backs have been deployed has been intriguing as well, with Trent Alexander-Arnold varying between inverting into midfield to act as a playmaker or playing wide, while the left-back (either Andy Robertson or Kostas Tsimikas), will often tuck in to form a back three.

The latter has been important, in combination with the double pivot and the technically elite Alisson in goal, to not only help with quick ball movement to manipulate foes, but also to provide structural security in case of a turnover.

Liverpool Pass Connection Map vs. Manchester Utd - Wyscout Match Report

The interchangeability of Dominik Szoboszlai to drop centrally and venture into the half spaces and out wide has been crucial, as he's found space expertly to connect play and breathe life into attacks, plus dovetail brilliantly with the frontline.

The way their attackers threaten immensely with their infield positioning, runs in behind, opposite movements, switches and ability to manufacture space for one another and open passing lanes, have been further key strings to their bow.

Liverpool Through Passes - Wyscout Team Report

By regularly having many attackers in close proximity, this means Liverpool can rapidly combine to unlock backlines, get numbers into the box at different heights and depths, and place doubt in the minds of defenders in regards to who they should mark, while also generating acres of room on the flanks for the full-backs to surge into.

Liverpool Shot Map - Wyscout Team Report

Using concepts like up-back-through, opposite movements and third man runs, as well as astutely causing danger from set pieces, wicked long balls and slick short passing, Slot's team certainly possesses a host of weapons in their arsenal to hurt teams at will.

Liverpool Key Passes Map - Wyscout Team Report

Doing an outstanding job of controlling matches and dominating with their multifaceted possession game, this tactically sophisticated and flexible Liverpool have been a joy to watch.

A massive force to be reckoned with on the defensive end too, Slot has been sure to make pressing and counterpressing an integral feature of his philosophy like Klopp, with the Reds strikingly holding the best defensive record in the league, having only conceded two goals at the time of writing.

Premier League Goals Conceded after 7 games - Wyscout Team Rankings

Eager to press opposition build-up to regain the ball high, use the touchline as an extra defender by ushering opponents into wide areas and smart at setting traps, there's no doubting they've impressed in this area.

Slot deserves credit for ensuring his team are still a nightmare to face off with and that their pressing is a handy source of quality chance creation. They adhere to triggers like passes into wide areas and the body shape of adversaries, such as if they're receiving side-on, back-to-goal or receiving a pass backwards, plus effectively using their cover shadows to block passing lanes in behind.

Coordinated, aggressive and intense in their counterpressing, they've also reacted smartly when they lose possession in their quest to immediately win it back and attack again.

Liverpool's Recoveries in the Final Third - Wyscout Team Report

The Reds’ harrying has amplified how difficult they are to play against. By keeping compact, working hard and intelligently, and fulfilling their individual and collectives roles, Slot’s side compresses the available playing space, limiting their opponents’ capacity to power up the pitch.

Although it's still early days for the Slot era at Liverpool, many of the early signs have been hugely positive, as he's ambitiously moulding the team in his image, while maintaining many of Klopp's famed concepts.

Despite devising a formula to maximise the strengths of his players, one problem Slot has faced is picking which players to start, something that inherently leaves some disappointed figures. But so far he's doing a top job of managing the squad, which is pivotal given their hectic schedule.

Their numbers from the campaign below aptly punctuate what a class act they’ve been on and off the ball so far.

Klopp himself has been glowing his praise of his successor; "Arne, yeah. Really good coach. I was really happy when I heard that Liverpool was going for Arne Slot. I wasn't involved in anything, it should not be like that, and I'm not this kind of guy in the background, still having some strings and stuff. Like I don't want that. The club is too big, too good. [The] People are too good," Klopp said.

"A lot of things have changed since we left. But the only concern for me was, will they get a good coach? Liverpool was early and Liverpool got a top, top, top solution in Arne Slot. I like his football a lot, (how he) played it with (Feyenoord), so that's really good. I saw the Sevilla game, the pre-season friendly at Anfield -- big parts of it were really good. And the league game (against Ipswich), the second half was obviously really good.

"But it's not important that I like it, you can see he is a very good coach and the team, I know now better than most, is a really good squad, is a really good team. So it'll work out really well."