Liverpool: Why Arne Slot is doing so effectively after succeeding Jurgen Klopp at Anfield | Soccer Information

Jurgen Klopp left huge sneakers to fill at Liverpool however Arne Slot has taken to the function seamlessly, with the Reds now sitting fairly on the prime of each the Premier League and Champions League standings.

The victory towards Aston Villa was the most recent likelihood for Slot’s staff to stake their declare for silverware this 12 months they usually did so in emphatic model.

Objectives from Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah secured all three factors at Anfield, as Liverpool opened up a five-point hole on final 12 months’s champions Manchester Metropolis.

Succeeding long-term managers is rarely straightforward, because the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal have found lately, however Slot has taken to the function and accountability like a duck to water.

However why? What precisely is the brand new boss doing so effectively and why has the transition away from Klopp been really easy? Right here, Sky Sports activities takes a glance…

Strong basis on the again

Liverpool have a humiliation of riches by way of their attacking expertise however it’s arguably the defence which deserves all of the plaudits at the moment.

The Reds have solely conceded six objectives all through the opening 11 video games and have saved six clear sheets, which is greater than some other aspect to this point.

Captain Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate have shaped a formidable partnership within the centre of defence and have made life straightforward for his or her goalkeepers, whether or not that’s Alisson Becker or Caoimhin Kelleher, with the membership additionally tied for least pictures heading in the right direction confronted at 36.

Slot’s aspect impress going ahead however their early success has been constructed on a stable defensive basis on the again.

Blocking out the noise

Whereas many groups would falter and panic with their three finest gamers all on expiring offers on the finish of the season, Liverpool haven’t.

In each the general public eye and on the pitch, the Reds haven’t proven any indicators of trepidation relating to the likelihood that they may lose Van Dijk, Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold at no cost on the finish of the marketing campaign.

Slot has continued to get the most effective out of veteran duo Van Dijk and Salah, whereas a current damage to Alexander-Arnold and his lack of type – with only one league help to his identify – could possibly be thought of the one concern.

The absence of hysteria surrounding the membership is a credit score to Slot. “It would be strange if I have no input,” he stated when requested in regards to the newest contract developments.

“Although I am a head coach now so sometimes it’s convenient to say I’m a head coach and no longer a manager, so talk about contract situations with someone else!

“I feel typically, contract conditions are about speaking with the individuals who ought to speak about it. I’m one in all them, however I mustn’t speak about this in public.

“I do talk about this with [sporting director] Richard [Hughes] and that’s the place where we have to talk about it and not in front of a microphone.”

Slot changes

As spectacular as Slot is at coping with issues behind the scenes and addressing the media, his in-game administration has arguably stood out within the early levels of his tenure.

Previous to the win towards Villa, Liverpool had been drawing or dropping in all of their final 4 fixtures however went on to safe seven factors and a spot within the Carabao Cup quarter-finals from these video games.

Whether or not it’s a rallying name throughout the interval or wholesale adjustments for the second half, like he did to kick-start the 2-1 win towards Brighton, Slot identifies points inside his staff and addresses them with out hesitation.

The Reds have now scored 23 objectives and conceded simply 5 within the second half throughout all competitions this season. Whereas different groups fall off as time goes on, Liverpool solely appear to get stronger.

Recruiting internally

Nobody anticipated Liverpool to problem for silverware this season – and it was not solely due to the managerial change.

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Incoming Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and Italy winger Federico Chiesa had been the one signings made by the membership in the summertime, which meant Wataru Endo remained the lone defensive midfielder within the squad heading into the 2024/25 marketing campaign.

Or in order that they thought.

Netherlands midfielder Ryan Gravenberch has since loved a meteoric rise into the Liverpool first staff and is only one begin away from equalling his Premier League tally from final season.

The 22-year-old is benefiting from working along with his compatriot, who shortly recognized Gravenberch might thrive as a No 6 given his attributes and is grateful for his emergence because it meant the membership didn’t should recruit externally.

“He is very comfortable with the ball, and I think that’s what everybody saw, but not every manager,” Slot stated relating to Gravenberch.

“So, it’s a bit of a choice. You can bring a No 6 in that’s only really good without the ball – hard tackles and sliding – which every fan loves, and a lot of pundits love as well.

“Otherwise you look extra at what can he carry for us if now we have the ball, and I feel he will help us so much with the ball. And he has a very good deal with.”

Can it continue?

Liverpool’s start to the season has not been easy – but it is set to ramp up in the coming weeks.

Slot and his staff will put their title-winning credentials to the take a look at as they put together for Actual Madrid, Man Metropolis, Newcastle and Everton after returning to home motion towards Southampton, stay on Sky Sports activities, on November 24.

The Reds got here out of the clashes towards United, Arsenal and Chelsea and not using a blemish on their file however will have to be at their highest if they’re to keep up the spectacular begin within the rapid future.

Liverpool responded to the shock loss to Nottingham Forest in September by profitable 12 out of their subsequent 13 matches throughout all competitions – however their upcoming run of fixtures would be the greatest take a look at but for Slot.