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Slot’s Tactical Evolution at Liverpool
In recent times, Arne Slot’s primary focus has been to enhance the formidable team inherited from his predecessor, who achieved an impressive average of 80.33 points during his last three seasons at Liverpool.
By securing four additional victories, Liverpool stands on the brink of surpassing the 90-point mark, a feat made possible through Slot’s strengthened defense and a more controlled midfield approach.
“They’ve earned their points by grinding out wins, even in tough situations and against resilient opponents,” noted analyst Atkinson.
“Liverpool has excelled in this regard—outperforming all their competitors.”
This season, Slot’s squad has seen just one new face—Federico Chiesa—but the Dutch coach has effectively developed existing talents, notably Ryan Gravenberch, who has seized his chance in the midfield following the club’s unsuccessful pursuit of Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad.
Mohamed Salah’s performance under Slot has been remarkable, as he has netted 27 goals and provided 18 assists in 33 appearances, a significant increase from his previous season’s tally of 18 goals and 10 assists during Klopp’s last year.
Teammate Cody Gakpo has also demonstrated his worth, contributing 16 goals across all competitions in the 2024-25 season, matching his output from the prior campaign.
In his initial meeting with the team, Slot shared detailed analytics from both the championship-winning season of 2019-20 and Klopp’s final season. This data highlighted a concerning decline in sprint frequency and overall team effectiveness in the previous season.
“Instead of urging the players to push harder, he clearly outlined what they needed to do, utilizing data to drive his points home,” added Westerveld.
Off the field, Slot has introduced modifications to how the team prepares for matches. Unlike during Klopp’s tenure when morning routines began later, players are now required to arrive at the training ground in Kirkby by 9:15 AM for breakfast.
Further, Slot and his coaching staff have initiated a ‘body wake-up’ routine, involving breathing exercises before both training and matches, aiming to enhance players’ readiness.
Previously, the squad would stay together in a hotel before home fixtures; however, this practice has changed, allowing players the comfort of returning to their homes.
Training sessions have become longer yet less intense, a strategic choice made to mitigate injury risks that have hampered previous seasons.
Additionally, Slot has reinforced his team off the pitch by bringing in key personnel. Ruben Peeters, an expert in training load optimization, has joined him from Feyenoord, while Dr. Jonathan Power has been elevated to director of medicine and performance, with Amit Pannu stepping in as the new first-team doctor.
Source
www.bbc.com