Arne Slot’s tactical evolution – The playing style that made Liverpool champions
Arne Slot transformed Liverpool in his first season in the Anfield dugout.
There were plenty of question marks when the Dutchman replaced the legendary Jurgen Klopp, who chose to step down at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.
The Reds had finished third that campaign as they ran out of steam towards the end of the season, and their only signing last summer was Federico Chiesa, so the doubts over how Slot would perform were justified.
However, the former Feyenoord boss exceeded expectations and his side won the Premier League title at a canter.
Here, Liverpool News takes a look at how he managed it.
What tactical tweaks did Slot make at Liverpool?
The first thing that Slot did was change Klopp’s trusted 4-3-3 into a 4-2-3-1, which gave his side more control rather than the chaos that came with the former Borussia Dortmund manager.
The way that Slot’s side walked to the title has been compared to Klopp’s success in the 2019/20 campaign, as the Anfield outfit won it comfortably on both occasions.
However, the Dutch boss’ tactical philosophy is much calmer than the German’s heavy-metal, high-pressing approach.
Liverpool do not press as high or as hard under Slot without the ball, which is evident from the lower defensive actions that they recorded when compared to the last title-winning side.
| Stats per 90 | Klopp’s 2019-20 team | Slot’s 2024-25 team |
| Pressed sequences | 18.1 | 12.6 |
| High turnovers | 10.7 | 8.3 |
| Recoveries | 64.4 | 48.5 |
| Interceptions | 9.2 | 8.0 |
Getting the best out of Gravenberch
The double-pivot in midfield was an added layer of protection for the Merseysiders and has allowed Ryan Gravenberch to thrive.
The former Ajax and Bayern Munich star was a peripheral figure under Klopp, starting just 12 league games the previous season, but was transformed into one of the best players in England under Slot.
The Dutch ace ranked top of the charts for interceptions for midfielders in the top-flight and fifth in the position for recoveries, a stunning turnaround in fortunes, which resulted in him winning the Premier League Young Player of the Season award.
| Midfield player | Interceptions |
| Gravenberch | 60 |
| Caicedo | 49 |
| Norgaard | 49 |
| Gueye | 48 |
No more flying full-backs
The likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson were known for bombing down the flanks and providing assists left, right and centre for Klopp.
They contributed with 113 assists in total under the German, with the Englishman pipping the Scotsman with 58 to his 55.
However, that could lead to opponents taking advantage, and breaking, particularly on the now Real Madrid man’s side.
The Reds’ attacks under Slot were more patient, with a measured approach that stops them from being caught on the counter-attack and limits the full-back duo’s attacking inhibitions.
However, that was not the case under the Dutchman, as they were forced to play more conventional roles, and therefore only contributed with a combined seven assists as the midfield played a more creative role, with Dominik Szoboszlai thriving in particular going forward.
Liverpool reliant on Salah more than ever
Mohamed Salah had arguably his best season in a Liverpool shirt, with the Egyptian delivering a staggering 29 goals and 18 assists.
The 32-year-old contributed to a stunning 54.7 per cent of the Reds’ goals in the top-flight title-winning campaign.
That is compared to his 19 goals and 10 assists in 19/20, which was just 34.1 per cent of the Reds’ contributions.
They have addressed this overreliance by signing Florian Wirtz, who should be able to take some of the burden off the ex-Chelsea man.
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