The new Liverpool era under Arne Slot has not gone smoothly. Following three defeats in a row, the Reds are doubting their identity, most of all their hard pressing, which was a key feature of their play during the last years.
Pressing, the foundation of Liverpool’s success under Klopp, has faced the most criticism. Although Liverpool are second in the Premier League, the club and the fans are questioning the tactics used due to the lack of player’s adaptation, structure, and even their coordination.
Decline in Pressing Intensity
Liverpool’s pressing is not only less frequent but less effective as well. Data provided by Opta and Under stat illustrate a marked shift in Liverpool’s pressing pattern. The number of times the team wins the ball in the opponents’ final third has dropped from 4.5 per 90 minutes last season to 3.9, while opponents’ passes per defensive action have risen from 8.9 to 9.4. While the numbers are rather small, they significantly affect the team’s tactical strategy.
The article, for instance, reveals that Szoboszlai is very frequently isolated, no one is next to him to help, while he is trying to protect the ball against the defense, hence it can be inferred that the team lacks collective motor skills. The decreased level of coordination has resulted in the defenders mentioned above having more minutes of play and thus they have to descend deeper into the play to offer defensive support. The former-Reds press has become decidedly patchy which disrupts the rhythm of their attacks and leave gaps to be exploited.
Additionally, there’s a visible dip in the team’s confidence when pressing high, leading to moments of hesitation that break their rhythm and make them vulnerable in quick counter situations.
New Signings and Tactical Adjustment
The one that Slot has on his hands, beyond strategy and tactics, is the recovery of team morale. Liverpool has experienced a mass exodus overnight, with the signings of top players such as Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Jeremie Frimpong, Hugo Ekitike and Milos Kerkez. The team’s transition under Klopp was gradual when new players like Fabinho and Robertson joined, but under Slot, the new players have stepped into the system straight away. They need time, which they don’t have with the current schedule, to understand pressing triggers, defensive markers, and positional play in Slot’s style.
They get the hang of the game plan, but these problems are magnified by the number of new players in the squad. As a result, the team is still trying to get collective understanding, particularly at moments when they are out of possession. Pressing without the harmony between the two layers, i.e., aggressiveness and structure, will result in wasting the team’s energies instead of turning them into match-winning ones.
Author’s Opinion
The downsides LFC face right now shouldn’t fall under the “crisis” headline. Instead, we should view them as a temporary interlude. Although it is true that Slot’s style of play is quite future-proof, it is also evident that it interacts with this team composition only to a limited extent. The crisis around pressing is an indication of the troubles that usually accompany a rebuild.
Trying to help the team find that unstoppable Liverpool spirit again will consist in having endurance, being consistent, and having a clearer defensive coordination. The one thing which Klopp used to emphasize, i.e. “Counter-pressing is the best playmaker,” is now a point of Slot’s work which he has to perfect in order to achieve long-term dominance from potential.
If Slot manages to blend his tactical modernity with Liverpool’s traditional intensity, the club could once again rise as a dominant force both in England and across Europe.
