View: Arne Slot cannot simply rip up Jurgen Klopp blueprint at Liverpool
Arne Slot has looked impressive in the early days of his tenure as Liverpool manager but he risks destroying the foundation that Jurgen Klopp laid at Anfield.
It became apparent throughout pre-season and during the 2-0 win against Ipswich on Saturday [17 August] that Slot wants his defence to sit more narrow to offer an overload in the centre of the pitch.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson provided width during Klopp’s tenure, which was instrumental in the Reds’ success and is in danger of becoming a thing of the past through Slot’s preference to create build-up play through the middle.
The best managers in the world adapt and the Dutchman cannot afford to be stubborn in his approach at the sacrifice of one of the side’s most potent attacking threats.
Liverpool need to utilise their full-backs
Robertson is the highest assisting full-back in Premier League history with 59, followed closely by Alexander-Arnold with 58.
At the peak of the Klopp side, the pair were constantly sharing that title as they arguably revolutionised the full-back position.
The overlaps on the wings with the forwards overwhelmed the opposition and were a key component to their Premier League and Champions League success under Klopp.
A main criticism of the side last season was the defensive vulnerability of the full-backs pushing high up the pitch and being susceptible to counterattacks. This was a sacrifice Klopp was willing to make to ensure his side had enough threat at the other end of the pitch.
Liverpool looked just as defensively unstable with a narrow backline as Ipswich dominated the exchanges in the first 45 minutes at the weekend.
The only opportunity for the Reds in the first half came from Alexander-Arnold joining the attack from right-back and firing his shot over the crossbar from the edge of the opposition box.
When pushing the full-backs into central positions, the side is relying purely on Mohammed Salah, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo to provide the attacking threat from the flanks. Their purpose could be better served to overload the penalty area alongside Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez to get on the end of crosses from the full-backs.
Liverpool fans need to come to terms with the fact that, after eight years of Klopp-style football, there will be a new system at Anfield for the foreseeable future.
However, Slot can still take reference from his predecessor, implement the best elements from the old system, and create a new, dynamic style of play for the Reds.
The supporters don’t need the 45-year-old to become Klopp 2.0 but that doesn’t mean he should ignore the style that restored Liverpool to the pinnacle of world football.
In other Liverpool news, the Reds are open to Harvey Blair sale amid Arne Slot academy exodus.
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