Hugo Ekitike movement key: What we’ve learned from Arne Slot’s pre-season tactics
Arne Slot has been forced to tweak his tactical system in the build up to Liverpool’s Premier League title defence.
The Dutchman has the arrivals of several new players, including Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, to contend with, and will want to stay ahead of the opposition.
Some tweaks have been visible in pre-season, and were on show when Liverpool lost on penalties to Crystal Palace in the Community Shield on Sunday (10 August).
Ekitike continues fluidity in attack
Slot often opted for a fluid front three last season, electing to start three wingers who could constantly rotate between one another.
The idea behind the signing of Ekitike appears to have a similar philosophy, with the Frenchman often seen popping up in the left channel to receive the ball.
| Hugo Ekitike | vs Crystal Palace |
| Minutes | 71 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Shots | 3 |
| Passes into final third | 2 |
It led to his opening goal against Crystal Palace too, with the striker making a run into space on the left, before combining with Wirtz to get his shot away.
The potential signing of Alexander Isak has prompted questions about where the Swede would fit in, but those queries have been emphatically answered by Ekitike’s movement in pre-season.
- Read more: Crystal Palace ‘should have had penalty’ after huge Liverpool controversy – Ex-PGMOL chief
Wirtz offers extra man in midfield
Wirtz’s role under Slot was a topic of much debate in the build up to the midfielder’s signing at Anfield.
Many thought the German would play as a false nine for Liverpool, whilst others thought he’d occupy the traditional 10 position that the Reds lacked last season.
The reality is a role more akin to Martin Odegaard’s role in the Arsenal team. Wirtz can often be seen dropping deep into midfield to assist in build up before progressing up the pitch with the attack.
The 22-year-old will provide the extra man for Liverpool, appearing unmarked to unravel the man-to-man press often deployed by opposing Premier League teams.
Once on the ball, Wirtz can spin away from his man, or play wall passes to create different angles for his teammates.
- Wall pass: Holding off the defender and passing backwards, before running beyond and into space.
Wirtz did it on several occasions against Palace, helping his team progress the ball past the first line.
Liverpool continue to press man-to-man
Liverpool’s press became more refined when Slot arrived.
Jurgen Klopp’s teams had become known for their gegenpressing, but the Dutchman looked to deploy a system in which each player would have a man, and stick to them.
- Gegenpressing: An aggressive form of counter-press that involves several players surrounding the ball.
That theme has continued in pre-season, with Liverpool players going man-to-man as Palace attempted to build up, often forcing them to go long.
Vulnerability to the counter attack will give Slot something to think about
Liverpool’s vulnerability to the counter-attack was on full show against Crystal Palace.
The nature of Slot’s high line can leave the Reds in a precarious position if the ball is lost in midfield, with Oliver Glasner’s side exploiting it several times on Sunday.
In fairness, the absence of Ryan Gravenberch did play a role, but Liverpool should be wary about the number of bodies they commit going forward.
The introduction of Jeremie Frimpong, whilst the defender played well going forward, will only contribute to the danger, with the Dutchman often bombing high up the pitch to support Mohamed Salah.
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