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Liverpool should offer contract extension as three key decisions now await
Ticket tout arrested at LFC game ended up with two decades behind bars
Ticket tout arrested at LFC game ended up with two decades behind bars
'Biggest mistake of my life' - Son Heung-min rejected Jurgen Klopp transfer but Liverpool had last laugh
'Biggest mistake of my life' - Son Heung-min rejected Jurgen Klopp transfer but Liverpool had last laugh
LFC Globe
This article (Match Report: West Ham United 2:2 Liverpool - Liverpool Held To A Draw In London) was originally published on LFC Globe. Follow us on Twitter for all the latest Liverpool FC news.
]]> https://lfcglobe.co.uk/match-report-west-ham-united-22-liverpool-liverpool-held-to-a-draw-in-london/feed/ 0 West Ham United vs. Liverpool: The Reds Attempt To Bounce Back With A Win In London https://lfcglobe.co.uk/west-ham-united-vs-liverpool-the-reds-attempt-to-bounce-back-with-a-win-in-london/ https://lfcglobe.co.uk/west-ham-united-vs-liverpool-the-reds-attempt-to-bounce-back-with-a-win-in-london/#disqus_thread Sat, 27 Apr 2024 13:11:32 +0000 https://lfcglobe.co.uk/?p=105375 Liverpool will aim for a return to winning ways when they travel to London to take on West Ham United in the Premier League on Saturday (April 27). The Reds' title chances took a massive hit when they lost 2-0 to Everton in the Merseyside Derby on Wednesday (April 24). It was an embarrassing performance […]This article (West Ham United vs. Liverpool: The Reds Attempt To Bounce Back With A Win In London) was originally published on LFC Globe. Follow us on Twitter for all the latest Liverpool FC news.
]]> https://lfcglobe.co.uk/west-ham-united-vs-liverpool-the-reds-attempt-to-bounce-back-with-a-win-in-london/feed/ 0 Everton vs Liverpool - Match Report: Toffee's Send Liverpool To Bitter Defeat https://lfcglobe.co.uk/everton-vs-liverpool-match-report-toffees-send-liverpool-to-bitter-defeat/ https://lfcglobe.co.uk/everton-vs-liverpool-match-report-toffees-send-liverpool-to-bitter-defeat/#disqus_thread Wed, 24 Apr 2024 23:02:31 +0000 https://lfcglobe.co.uk/?p=105370 A Merseyside Derby with the Toffee's of Everton proved to be anything but sweet for Liverpool. The Reds surrendered two set-piece goals in a 2-0 loss that saw Liverpool all but eliminated from the Premier League Title chase. First Half Everton fired a warning shot inside of three minutes, but the chance was wide. Everton […]This article (Everton vs Liverpool - Match Report: Toffee's Send Liverpool To Bitter Defeat) was originally published on LFC Globe. Follow us on Twitter for all the latest Liverpool FC news.
]]> https://lfcglobe.co.uk/everton-vs-liverpool-match-report-toffees-send-liverpool-to-bitter-defeat/feed/ 0 Confirmed Lineups: Everton vs Liverpool https://lfcglobe.co.uk/confirmed-lineups-everton-vs-liverpool/ https://lfcglobe.co.uk/confirmed-lineups-everton-vs-liverpool/#disqus_thread Wed, 24 Apr 2024 18:30:59 +0000 https://lfcglobe.co.uk/?p=105362 Liverpool made six changes before their last match, resulting in a win. They made six changes again as familiar faces like Mohamed Salah reentered the Starting XI. Will the shuffle pay the same kind of dividends vs. Everton in the Merseyside Derby? We shall see. Liverpool Line Up Starters Alisson, Van Dijk, Konate, Diaz, Szoboszlai, […]This article (Confirmed Lineups: Everton vs Liverpool) was originally published on LFC Globe. Follow us on Twitter for all the latest Liverpool FC news.
]]> https://lfcglobe.co.uk/confirmed-lineups-everton-vs-liverpool/feed/ 0 Everton vs Liverpool - Close Encounter: Liverpool To Make Short Trip To Face Toffees https://lfcglobe.co.uk/everton-vs-liverpool-close-encounter-liverpool-to-make-short-trip-to-face-toffees/ https://lfcglobe.co.uk/everton-vs-liverpool-close-encounter-liverpool-to-make-short-trip-to-face-toffees/#disqus_thread Wed, 24 Apr 2024 13:50:36 +0000 https://lfcglobe.co.uk/?p=105357 Liverpool and Everton square off Wednesday, April 24th at Goodison Park for one of the more important Merseyside Derbies in recent history. Liverpool look to continue their push for an EPL title while Everton would love nothing more than to spoil that opportunity for their nearest rivals. Jota Injured After being relatively injury-free for one […]This article (Everton vs Liverpool - Close Encounter: Liverpool To Make Short Trip To Face Toffees) was originally published on LFC Globe. Follow us on Twitter for all the latest Liverpool FC news.
]]> https://lfcglobe.co.uk/everton-vs-liverpool-close-encounter-liverpool-to-make-short-trip-to-face-toffees/feed/ 0 Match Report: Fulham vs Liverpool - Lineup Changes Pay Off in Reds' Win https://lfcglobe.co.uk/match-report-fulham-vs-liverpool-lineup-changes-pay-off-in-reds-win/ https://lfcglobe.co.uk/match-report-fulham-vs-liverpool-lineup-changes-pay-off-in-reds-win/#disqus_thread Sun, 21 Apr 2024 20:03:02 +0000 https://lfcglobe.co.uk/?p=105349 Jürgen Klopp made six changes ahead of Liverpool's key match with Fulham and it paid dividends. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ryan Gravenberch and Diogo Jota all scored as the Reds picked up a vitally important three points to stay in the EPL Title race. First Half Liverpool got off to a promising start as Luis Daiz nearly […]This article (Match Report: Fulham vs Liverpool - Lineup Changes Pay Off in Reds' Win) was originally published on LFC Globe. Follow us on Twitter for all the latest Liverpool FC news.
]]> https://lfcglobe.co.uk/match-report-fulham-vs-liverpool-lineup-changes-pay-off-in-reds-win/feed/ 0 Confirmed Lineups: Fulham vs Liverpool https://lfcglobe.co.uk/confirmed-lineups-fulham-vs-liverpool/ https://lfcglobe.co.uk/confirmed-lineups-fulham-vs-liverpool/#disqus_thread Sun, 21 Apr 2024 15:07:52 +0000 https://lfcglobe.co.uk/?p=105342 Liverpool face a must-win today at Craven Cottage and surprisingly, Mohamed Salah is not in the Starting XI. Diogo Jota returns to the lineup though. For Fulham, American International Antonne Robinson gets the start up front and is more than capable of putting the ball in the back of the net for the net. Fulham […]This article (Confirmed Lineups: Fulham vs Liverpool) was originally published on LFC Globe. Follow us on Twitter for all the latest Liverpool FC news.
]]> https://lfcglobe.co.uk/confirmed-lineups-fulham-vs-liverpool/feed/ 0 Match Preview: Reds face a must-win match vs. Cottagers https://lfcglobe.co.uk/match-preview-reds-face-a-must-win-match-vs-cottagers/ https://lfcglobe.co.uk/match-preview-reds-face-a-must-win-match-vs-cottagers/#disqus_thread Sun, 21 Apr 2024 09:20:23 +0000 https://lfcglobe.co.uk/?p=105338 Liverpool face a must-win game as they travel to Craven Cottage to face Fulham on Sunday, April 21st. The Reds have slipped to third place on the table, but pending other results, could move up with a win. Focus On Fulham Even though the Cottagers are 12th on the table, Fulham is a hot team […]This article (Match Preview: Reds face a must-win match vs. Cottagers) was originally published on LFC Globe. Follow us on Twitter for all the latest Liverpool FC news.
]]> https://lfcglobe.co.uk/match-preview-reds-face-a-must-win-match-vs-cottagers/feed/ 0 Eagles Damage Reds Title Hopes With 1-0 Win https://lfcglobe.co.uk/eagles-damage-reds-title-hopes-with-1-0-win/ https://lfcglobe.co.uk/eagles-damage-reds-title-hopes-with-1-0-win/#disqus_thread Mon, 15 Apr 2024 14:10:35 +0000 https://lfcglobe.co.uk/?p=105334 After not losing a game at Anfield in 14 months, Liverpool have dropped two matches in a row on their hallowed ground. The latest example came thanks to a shocking 1-0 setback to Crystal Palace on April 14th. First Half The teams spent the first five minutes of the match until Darwin Núñez forced a […]This article (Eagles Damage Reds Title Hopes With 1-0 Win) was originally published on LFC Globe. Follow us on Twitter for all the latest Liverpool FC news.
]]> https://lfcglobe.co.uk/eagles-damage-reds-title-hopes-with-1-0-win/feed/ 0 Match Preview: Reds Seek To Soar Past Eagles At Anfield https://lfcglobe.co.uk/match-preview-reds-seek-to-soar-past-eagles-at-anfield/ https://lfcglobe.co.uk/match-preview-reds-seek-to-soar-past-eagles-at-anfield/#disqus_thread Sat, 13 Apr 2024 15:42:15 +0000 https://lfcglobe.co.uk/?p=105322 After a shock loss to Atalanta in the first leg of a Europa League tie at Anfield, Liverpool must rebound quickly as they host Crystal Palace on Sunday, April 14th at Anfield. Getting Back On Track Liverpool's loss to Atalanta was the first time the Reds have suffered a defeat at Anfield since February of […]This article (Match Preview: Reds Seek To Soar Past Eagles At Anfield) was originally published on LFC Globe. Follow us on Twitter for all the latest Liverpool FC news.
]]> https://lfcglobe.co.uk/match-preview-reds-seek-to-soar-past-eagles-at-anfield/feed/ 0Liverpool face Luis Diaz transfer decision after training ground whispers over exit
Fresh light shed on Mohamed Salah and Jürgen Klopp spat as dream Arne Slot squad picked
Liverpool's farewell to Jürgen Klopp isn't going at all to plan. Arne Slot is set to take over in the summer, and will be inheriting a squad where things have turned a little sour.
At the start of last month, though quadruple dreams had recently been ended by Manchester United in the FA Cup, a treble was still very much on. At the very least, Liverpool was favorite for the Europa League, with a potential trophy parade penciled in as the perfect chance to say goodbye to a manager who has achieved so much.
Klopp will still get a huge send-off from the Kop in his final match at Anfield, but there will be no parade, with Liverpool set to end the season with only February's Carabao Cup to its name. Of course, the last few weeks are a mere footnote in the German's spell at the club, and will not in any way define it, but it's hard not to be deflated that he will not be getting what he deserves.
READ MORE: Liverpool 'still likes' $118m duo as Arne Slot gets 'green light' for Rúben Amorim transfer raid
READ MORE: José Mourinho sounds warning to Liverpool after overlooking Rúben Amorim
A touchline spat between Klopp and Mohamed Salah against West Ham United only served to emphasize that this is not at all how things were supposed to go. Two paragons of the illustrious era that is now coming to an end, it was an ugly scene for Liverpool.
But there won't be any lasting damage; it's thought that Slot will be able to count on Salah next season. The Egyptian is just one of many gifted players that Klopp is leaving behind, with his successor given ample tools to shape a new era. Here's two Liverpool.com stories from today that you don't want to miss.
West Ham star weighs in on Mohamed Salah and Jürgen Klopp argumentIt was pretty inevitable we'd be hearing from Michail Antonio at some point about the Salah and Klopp incident. The West Ham striker has a podcast, and he's rarely shy when it comes to talking about Liverpool.
Speaking on the Footballer’s Football Podcast, Antonio admitted he was not on hand to hear the incident himself. But he revealed that it has been the talk of the West Ham dressing room, and that one account of events has been doing the rounds.
“So basically, this is not inside information, but what I have heard, this is what the boys have been talking about on the training ground," teased Antonio.
“As players come on, Klopp usually gives them a big hug, but when Mo came on he walked in a different direction and did his shin pads and stuff. Klopp put his hand out to him and his hand was there for a bit and he just slapped his hand.
“Klopp didn’t like that and was like ‘do you want to sit back down?’, basically saying 'do you want to go on?' And nobody has told me what Mo said back.”
This seems to back up what the footage suggests, in terms of the terse handshake being the spark. But the root of the hostility is almost certainly Klopp's decision to leave Salah on the bench for so long. Read the full story from James Findlater here.
Dream Liverpool squad for Arne SlotIt will soon be up to Slot to resolve Salah's role in the side, if the Dutchman's appointment is confirmed as expected. But while that could prove to be a thorny issue, he will undoubtedly be eager to work with such a world-class player.
Klopp previously urged his at-the-time-unknown successor to remember the young talents coming through at Liverpool, which is another thing to factor into the recruitment picture. Those decisions will ultimately be led by Michael Edwards and new sporting director Richard Hughes.
But while a hugely busy summer probably isn't on the cards for Slot, he's not far away from a dream Liverpool squad. Crysencio Summerville is one interesting name to have emerged, while defensive reinforcements are likely too. Read the full story from Matt Addison by clicking here.
Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mané have had different Saudi fortunes since leaving Liverpool
Liverpool is expecting Mohamed Salah to stay put this summer. The club intends to address his contract situation in due course, and in any event has no plans to lose him before his existing deal expires in 2025.
That was the big news from The Athletic earlier this week. It came amid increasing noise that Liverpool might decide to cash in on Salah this summer, amid the possibility of joining former teammates Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mané in Saudi Arabia.
But while Saudi interest in Salah remains — the Arab star would be the jewel of the Pro League's crown — the recruitment drive this summer is expected to be less 'aggressive' than the one which saw Firmino and Mané arrive last year. Few would have predicted at the 2022 Champions League final that all of the iconic Liverpool trio would be in Saudi Arabia in two years' time, and it seems that is now unlikely to come to pass.
READ MORE: West Ham star sheds new light on what Jürgen Klopp said to Mohamed Salah in Liverpool argument
READ MORE: Alisson Becker assessment speaks volumes as biggest ally leaving Liverpool this summer
If a big bid from Saudi Arabia came in, Liverpool would still have a question to answer. But there's another question over whether Salah would even still be open to a move, with the division's reputation arguably taking a hit since last summer.
It was always going to take some time to significantly elevate the quality, but it will have come as a blow to the Saudi project when an Al-Ittihad side containing Fabinho, Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kanté was beaten by Egyptian giant Al-Ahly in the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup. And the wealth of stars that joined the league last summer have had somewhat mixed individual fortunes too, with Mané and Firmino demonstrating that point.
It's been a reasonably successful move in a footballing sense for Mané. He initially left Liverpool for Bayern Munich in 2022, but was on the move again the following summer after a disappointing campaign.
He duly arrived in Saudi Arabia with a point to prove. Of course, it's up for discussion quite how much of a point can be proved in a division which until recently was something of a non-entity, but it's true that he has measured up well against many of the other sides who joined from among Europe's elite.
Joining Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, he has hit 12 league goals and notched six assists in 27 league appearances. While some way behind Ronaldo (29), Mané is among the league's top 10 scorers.
He's also contributed to a deep run in the King's Cup, scoring in each round up to the upcoming final, with an assist as well in the quarter-final. His strike against Steven Gerrard's Al-Ettifaq settled the contest in extra time.
Firmino has had a more testing time of things. Scoring a hat-trick in his very first league game, it looked as though he would take the division at a stroll, but that has not been the case.
In fact, it took until February 16 for Firmino to notch his next league goal. He followed that up with two goals and an assist in his next outing, but has since been on another long goal drought, despite playing 90 minutes in almost every match.
Overall, six goals and five assists are just about respectable if unspectacular numbers, but the fact Firmino has only scored in three league games out of 26 rams home the truth. Since arriving from Liverpool on a free transfer, the Brazilian has been one of many high-profile disappointments.
Liverpool.com says: Mané and Firmino are safe in their Liverpool legend status regardless of their fortunes out in Saudi Arabia. It's perfectly valid to criticize their moves there, but there is at least less of the hypocrisy that so outraged everyone with Jordan Henderson's ill-fated switch.
But it's fair to say that Firmino, in particular, has been struggling. Still contributing in his final Liverpool season with significant involvements off the bench, it's surprising to see him fail to get up to speed with the Saudi league, but that's the inherent risk in the division's strategy of targeting veterans reaching the end of their peaks.
Liverpool come from behind twice to win 7-goal thriller thwarting Chelsea title hopes
Liverpool Women produced a thrilling 4-3 win against Chelsea, twice coming from behind in a second half that featured six goals and an incredible ending.
Liverpool Women 4-3 Chelsea WomenWSL (20), Prenton Park
May 1, 2024
Goals: Beever-Jones 9′, 80′, Michah (og.) 83′; Roman Haug 51′, Bonner 66′, 90+2, Kiernan 81′
Liverpool produced arguably their best performance of the season to beat Chelsea in a game that had everything.
With the Sky Sports cameras in town, Liverpool more than held their own in the first half, but were made to pay for some extremely lax marking off a Chelsea corner.
With nine minutes gone, Catarina Macario delivered a flat fairly flat corner into the six-yard box, where Aggie Beever-Jones headed in under little pressure with ample room to manoeuvre.
From then on, Liverpool had control of the half and almost went level before half time. It was the final pass and finish that was lacking for the Reds.
The second period that ensued was the most exciting half of the season.
What a start to the second-half for Liverpool who level it through Sophie Román Haug! ? pic.twitter.com/Vqz6ritxsc
— Sky Sports WSL (@SkySportsWSL) May 1, 2024
Half time: Liverpool Women 0-1 Chelsea Women
In the 51st minute, Liverpool got their reward for a strong start to the half thanks to Sophie Roman Haug, who nodded in a header from almost the same position as Beever-Jones had scored earlier in the match.
Fifteen minutes later, the Reds scored again in very similar circumstances, as Marie Hobinger’s inswinging corner was glanced in to the net by Gemma Bonner on her 150th appearance for Liverpool, a feat no woman has ever managed.
Another corner another goal! ?
A MASSIVE goal in the WSL title race! ? pic.twitter.com/WEZGQB2Ay9
— Sky Sports WSL (@SkySportsWSL) May 1, 2024
Both managers then made changes and both managers then celebrated goals.
With 10 minutes to play, the match went mad with three goals in three minutes.
The visitors got their first leveller when Teagan Micah rushed to close down an angle but didn’t reach the ball, leaving Beever-Jones to finish inside the area.
Chelsea’s revival didn’t last long, though, as Leanne Kiernan broke through one-on-one to calmly slotted past the onrushing goalkeeper.
"Absolutely unbelievable!" ?
The title race takes another dramatic twist as Liverpool take the lead AGAIN from a corner! ? pic.twitter.com/oTrS2KtedL
— Sky Sports WSL (@SkySportsWSL) May 1, 2024
To Liverpool’s frustration, Emma Hayes’ Blues scored their third as the ball ricocheted around the box, resulting in an own goal by ‘keeper Micah.
The drama wasn’t done there, though, and Bonner capped off an amazing night with a stunning header from yet another Hobinger corner.
While Chelsea held a post-match meeting on the pitch with their title hopes drained, Liverpool celebrated as they moved level on 35 points with Man United, the team who come to Prenton Park on Sunday.
Player of the Match: Gemma Bonner
Liverpool Women: Micah; Koivisto (Daniels 45+4′), Fisk, Bonner, Clark, Hinds (Matthews 71′); Nagano, Holland (Kearns 82′), Hobinger; Enderby (Kiernan 71′), Roman Haug
Subs not used: Spencer, Lawley, Chadwick, Leath
Next match: Man United (H) – WSL – May 5, 2pm (BST)
How an ex-Liverpool goalkeeper helped coach John Achterberg sign Alisson
Departing Liverpool goalkeeping coach John Achterberg told This Is Anfield about the part he played in signing arguably the Reds’ greatest-ever ‘keeper, Alisson Becker.
With Jurgen Klopp leaving in the summer, goalkeeper coach Achterberg is also to depart after 15 years at the club.
On his watch, Liverpool signed one of their greatest-ever goalkeepers, Alisson. Achterberg previously explained to This Is Anfield how he scouted the Brazilian and why it involved a former-Liverpool goalkeeper.
“I had been watching, I think 2013 was the first time I saw him when he played at Internacional,” Achterberg told This Is Anfield in an exclusive interview in 2022.
[embedded content]
[embedded content]“I asked [Alexander] Doni: ‘Are there any goalkeepers out in Brazil who I should look at?’ He said: ‘Yeah, look at Ali.’
“I always get information from other people or they text me, but I also go through all the leagues to see if there are new goalies coming up. Then I try to watch one game and, if I like it, then I keep following it.
“If I don’t like it, then I write it off because I’m looking at a special kind of goalie.”
In 2016, Liverpool played Roma in a pre-season friendly which saw Alisson and Mo Salah both start for I Giallorossi, with the Egyptian scoring the winner.
Achterberg revealed this was the first time he saw his future goalkeeper play live.
“I already told the boss about him and then obviously he liked the goalie in that game,” the Dutchman recounted.
“I said: ‘Yeah, that’s the one I was telling you about!’
“But we had also talked about other goalies. I talked in the past when [Manuel] Neuer was still at Schalke, when [Samir] Handanovic was at Udinese, when [Marc-Andre] Ter Stegen was in Germany at ‘Gladbach…
“At the time the owners wanted to try and find the best goalie out there, and I said to the boss: ‘That’s the only goalie I would pay money for.'”
Achterberg also explained how the recruitment process works and the extent of his involvement in a transfer. He said: “It works over a longer period.
“The club will know exactly how it works. I tell the boss and the boss has more communication with the owners and with the recruitment guys.
“I walk sometimes in the office with the recruitment guys [and say] ‘Oh did you see this one? Oh, I saw this one.’
“Just small talk really, then the club will do the work. I don’t get too much involved in that really. The boss is, in that side, in charge and the boss decides if he wants this one or that one.”
Having then also faced Alisson in the 2018 Champions League semi-final, Liverpool signed the Brazilian the following summer for £67 million – 260 appearances later that has proven to be money very well spent!
Liverpool 'still likes' $118m duo as Arne Slot gets 'green light' for Rúben Amorim transfer raid
Liverpool looks primed to announce Arne Slot as its new manager. That comes after months of speculation following Jürgen Klopp's announcement that he would be stepping down at the end of the season.
Various candidates have emerged in that time. Early favorite Xabi Alonso ended speculation by committing his future to Bayer Leverkusen, where he is now on the verge of a frankly astonishing unbeaten season across all competitions, helped by a slew of increasingly unbelievable late goals.
Rúben Amorim's name then rose to prominence, but it seems Slot has won the race. He's expected to join in the summer, when he will set about building on the 'Liverpool 2.0' foundations laid by Klopp.
READ MORE: José Mourinho sounds warning to Liverpool after overlooking Rúben Amorim
READ MORE: Liverpool can secure $200m jackpot for Arne Slot with win over Tottenham
Lots of that work will not require the transfer market. Klopp is leaving behind an accomplished squad for Slot, bolstered by the emergence of a number of young talents this season. But there are one or two areas where reinforcements could be required.
The center of defense looks particularly ripe for transfer activity. Virgil van Dijk is turning 33 in the summer, Joël Matip will be leaving on a free transfer, and the majority of the remaining options are known for picking up injury problems.
To that end, Liverpool has seen itself linked with Sporting duo Gonçalo Inácio and Ousmane Diomande. Both key parts of a back three under Amorim on the way to a likely title, they are expected to be in demand.
Many connected the links to Amorim and the links to the defensive duo. But it seems Liverpool could target the Sporting pair even under the leadership of Slot.
According to TeamTalk, citing Portuguese outlet Record, Liverpool retains its interest in both Inácio and Diomande. Not only that, but Slot has got the 'green light' to take his pick between the pair.
Sporting, for its part, is thought to be ready to cash in. It's prepared to sell Diomande for $54m (£43m/€50m), well below his reported release clause, while Inácio could go for $64m (£51m/€60m).
This will presumably come as a blow to Amorim if he is to remain at Sporting beyond the summer. However, he may yet be on the move himself despite being overlooked by Liverpool, with links to West Ham persisting.
Liverpool.com says: If there was ever any substance to the Inácio and Diomande links, then it's no surprise that they haven't gone away just because Liverpool has not chosen Amorim. Regardless of whether it picked him, Slot or anyone else, the club was committed to moving towards a 'head coach' model, with transfer power more or less kept elsewhere.
Back at FSG, Michael Edwards will play a part in shaping transfer plans, while Richard Hughes will take over as sporting director at the end of the season. It will ultimately be up to them to decide if the Sporting defenders fit the bill.
Arne Slot tactics: Feyenoord system and how Liverpool FC could set up
I knew at some point I’d be writing about a new Liverpool coach after Jurgen Klopp, but I’m still gutted to be doing it.
In addition to the results and the warm memories, Klopp has delivered some absolutely sensational football in the past nine years. The personnel, shape and the patterns of play have all shifted over time, yet they’ve been underpinned by principles that are tough to beat and a joy to watch.
He’s been the perfect man for the Liverpool job.
Arne Slot is a different manager, with different ideas. Yet there are similar principles to his coaching that make him a great fit for Liverpool.
Intensity
Intensity has been Liverpool’s identity for almost a decade. The relentlessness of the Reds’ work off the ball has paid huge dividends, as well as accurately reflecting the city and fanbase the team represents.
Slot cites Klopp as one of his influences, and you can see it in his team’s approach out of possession.
According to Opta data, Feyenoord have become more aggressive and more effective out of possession year-on-year since Slot took over in 2021.
But it’s not just running for running’s sake. Feyenoord are superbly well-drilled, with each player clear on their job and their triggers. It allows them to be bold in their approach.
Here’s an example from a game against PSV Eindhoven, their Eredivisie title rivals.
As soon as the defender receives the ball from his ‘keeper, Feyenoord’s winger Yankuba Minteh is on him. But as he does so, his colleagues in midfield are locked onto the PSV midfielders in a player-for-player press.
With no free man to pass to, the defender is caught in possession, setting up an easy finish for Minteh.
We can clearly see the preparation for this goal on the training pitch.
But it’s also a reward for risk. Matching up player-for-player means that if one person loses a one-on-one, the whole shape is vulnerable.
Control[embedded content]
[embedded content]At its best, Klopp’s Liverpool team controlled games by dominating without the ball. Teams were unable to create chances, and were vulnerable to quick breaks in return.
Slot’s Feyenoord, as we know, are similarly front-footed against the ball. But in order to win titles – as Feyenoord did in 2022/23 – teams must also have control with the ball.
Another of Slot’s noted inspirations is Pep Guardiola, specifically the way in which his teams create space.
Feyenoord have a superb structure, but the players are also constantly interchanging, making dynamic runs to receive and play short passes.
Where Liverpool are likely to play forwards quickly and then squeeze up with the counter-press, Slot prefers a more patient buildup. The intention with his teams is to have an overload in every phase when playing out from the back.
They begin with the two centre-backs splitting, and the right-back inverting to form a double pivot with the No. 6.
The left-back is slightly higher up the pitch and can either invert to overload the midfield or push up to rotate with the left winger.
Either way, as play progresses, a third player drops into the midfield to show for the ball.
In the attacking third, the wingers stay high and wide and the advanced midfielders push up to create a 2-3-5 shape.
This ensures that every zone in the last line is covered, and there’s a three in midfield to stay compact and counter press if needed.
Even better, using the full-backs in these deeper central areas mean they have less ground to cover when tracking back to defend counter-attacks.
It gives them more control over the game – something Klopp’s best Liverpool teams had, and the current setup struggles with.
Flexibility
While Slot has clearly defined structures in his team, there’s also a promising degree of flexibility.
For example, the No. 8s are usually advanced in that 2-3-5 shape we discussed earlier, but if one of them wants to drop deep to get on the ball and drag the opposition’s defence out of shape, they can.
The full-back or winger on that side will simply move into the space and retain the shape.
This combination of structure and flexibility allows Feyenoord to play shorter, quicker passes, controlling the tempo of the game whilst also keeping players close enough to have a narrow counter-press if the ball is lost.
Liverpool have been known to use a ‘flexible triangle’ on the right, with the full-back, midfielder and winger free to rotate.
Similar to a coach like Guardiola or Ange Postecoglou, Slot takes these triangles to another level, decoupling the opposition block and creating space to attack.
AdaptabilitySlot will also adapt to his opponent. The pressing example against PSV earlier was a 4-4-2 shape tailored for PSV’s buildup structure, which uses two centre-backs.
But against Roma in the Europa League, Feyenoord were up against a back three.
To combat this, Slot had his wingers invert to press the outside centre-backs. His full-backs then had to push up to aggressively mark Roma’s wing-backs, while his No. 10 dropped deeper to mark Roma’s No. 6.
While Feyenoord lost that game, they were effective in stopping Roma building out from the back, forcing them to play more directly and taking the game to extra-time.
Liverpool 2.0 has thrived on tactical tweaks and game-changing substitutions that solve problems in-game. Slot is inheriting a versatile squad and he is adaptable enough to maximise their talents.
How will his Liverpool team look?
Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back. Slot is used to inverting his right-back and pushing his left-back up the pitch, which is what Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson have been doing recently anyway.
Joe Gomez has also inverted from left-back at times this season, so we could see him used to create that midfield three with Alexander-Arnold and a No. 6.
Similar to Liverpool’s 4-3-3, there’ll be one No. 6 and a defensive-minded No. 8, as well as a more offensive midfielder.
Alexis Mac Allister could find himself continuing in the No. 6, though with a different structure that provides him a little more compactness and cover defensively.
Slot loves wingers. His wingers stay high and wide, they are the ones overloading the last line.
This means they get the ball in one-on-one situations as much as possible. He used Luis Sinisterra to great effect at left wing as a ball-carrier and he’ll love working with Luis Diaz – but I’d also expect to see Cody Gakpo mostly played out wide rather than through the middle.
Slot often substitutes his wingers because he asks so much of them during games, so there’ll be plenty of minutes for Liverpool’s forwards.
Mo Salah‘s game has evolved in recent seasons. He’s less of a dribbler and he takes on his defender less, preferring to unlock defences with his passing and movement.
He can definitely do that from the wing, but Slot might also see him as an option more centrally to get the most out of him.
Things are going to be different under the new man, this much we’ve known for a long time.
But while we wait for him to arrive, there are reasons to be optimistic that he’ll slot right in at Liverpool.
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