Seamless Succession - Analyzing Arne Slot’s Liverpool
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah had this to say on how Slot's style differs from Klopp, stating: "It's quite different to before. Now we are trying to control the ball all the time. Before it wasn't really the number one thing, because with Jurgen most of the time we tried to counter-attack or counterpress and try to win the ball as high as possible. We're still doing that, but also when you have the ball you have more time to keep the ball and just try to move the ball around."
Rising to the occasion outstandingly, handling the pressure and weight of expectations that comes with replacing a loved figure like Klopp at a colossal club like Liverpool, Slot's efforts warrant plentiful praise.
Bold, entertaining, exciting and full of tactical nuance, watching the Slot project moving forward will be fascinating. Liverpool now face a tricky run of fixtures that will tell us more about Slot’s side as he aims to transfer his strong start into sustainable success long into the future.
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