It is going to be music to the ears of Liverpool followers to listen to that Arne Slot’s facet is forward of schedule, writes Joe Baker.
The Dutchman was introduced in to fill the large footwear of Jurgen Klopp for a lot of causes however a key one is his skill to develop gamers, individually and collectively.
It was a call very a lot made with the long-term in thoughts. Successful the membership’s well-known twentieth title was a beautiful reward few anticipated being unwrapped so early into his tenure.
Going into season two, the stress valve has been turned up a couple of notches. The proverbial goal on the again is far larger.
If Slot’s first season was outlined by an odd combination of first intrigue, then shock, impressiveness and finally pleasure, the second is coated closely in expectation.
But, curiously, for one of the vital extremely esteemed coaches within the trendy sport, Slot has little or no precise expertise in second seasons.
Actually, he solely has one full second season underneath his belt in any respect, by which he famously received the 2022/23 title with Feyenoord. He obtained to December with AZ Alkmaar however was fired after negotiating a future position with the Rotterdammers.
This provides extra curiosity for the 2025/26 marketing campaign. What ought to followers count on from a Slot second season?
And does the proof so far, which is restricted to the Dutch Eredivisie, recommend that he’s able to warding off the chasing pack and protecting Liverpool on this upward trajectory?
Consistency in form, variety in place
There may be one faculty of thought that Slot, to maintain his opponents unsettled, could begin various his formation on this second marketing campaign by taking part in with wingbacks, following the signatures of extremely attacking full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez.
Nevertheless, don’t be shocked to see a strengthening in his dedication to the 4-2-3-1 that served him so effectively final season. Certainly, at Feyenoord, he solely deviated from that favoured form as soon as in 34 league video games.
The set-up of the Slot machine is in place. But what could change extra is the elements which might be chosen and the place they’re used.
In an period when it’s extensively believed {that a} high facet difficult on a number of fronts wants two sturdy choices in each place, Slot’s strategy goes considerably towards the grain.
Certainly one of his core soccer philosophies is having gamers who can function in multiple place.
It is without doubt one of the many large appeals of Florian Wirtz. It’s why individuals have discovered it exhausting to compute his relaxed responses to justifiable questions on a scarcity of depth in central defence.
He’s assured within the skill of his gamers – on this case Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo – to additionally play in various roles. That is additionally a nod to the equal confidence in his and his coaches’ capability to help them.
At Feyenoord, his use of versatile gamers like Lutsharel Geertruida, Orkun Kokcu and David Hancko was invaluable throughout the course of the season.
It’s certainly an element within the signings made this summer season – followers can count on to see Wirtz, Frimpong and Hugo Ekitike being requested to take up totally different positions, together with throughout matches themselves.
The cups imply one thing
One of many few instances Slot felt some warmth from followers final season was within the home cup competitions.
At Feyenoord, the Dutchman most popular to select the identical facet the place doable, irrespective of the competitors. But, whether or not or not it’s as a consequence of an elevated consciousness of fatigue or as a result of he was nonetheless attending to know his gamers, there was extra rotation within the FA Cup and EFL Cup.
The strategy took Liverpool to the ultimate in a single however contributed in the direction of an early shock exit to Plymouth within the different.
Will Slot rotate the identical manner in 2025/26? Or will he stick along with his greatest workforce so far as doable?
In that one second season now we have as proof, it could be that it’s the latter. Regardless of being in the course of a detailed title battle with Ajax and having a good sized squad attuned to his calls for, Slot continued to select the strongest sides he may within the cup competitions.
He was livid on the method of the shut defeats to Ajax within the Dutch Cup semi-final and towards AS Roma after further time within the Europa League quarter-final.
With a lot to handle within the largest job of his profession, it isn’t stunning Slot initially prioritised the Premier League and Champions League extra.
Nevertheless, after a yr of getting the squad accustomed to his strategies and being bodily stronger, that certainly received’t be the identical this time round.
Elevating the depth
Rather a lot was made from Liverpool’s lack of accidents final season, as if it was an enormous stroke of fortune. This short-sighted view uncared for the immense health work completed behind the scenes, led by Ruben Peeters.
With this glorious base, followers can count on the health and depth ranges demanded of gamers to go up once more this season. Certainly, it was one of many notable modifications Feyenoord followers noticed within the workforce Slot took to the title.
Excessive depth play aligned with a low depth of accidents is a candy spot few coaches can discover. With Slot, his workforce can’t simply be the most effective technically however the most effective bodily.
At moments final season, Liverpool appeared comfortable to let gamers have the ball as a part of their sport administration. Will that be the identical this yr?
Curiously within the 2022/23 Eredivisie marketing campaign, Slot’s Feyenoord workforce balanced an offensive type with the most effective urgent sport within the League.
As proven by information from FotMob, not solely did Slot enhance their common possession (2nd greatest), correct passing (2nd greatest) and photographs on course (first) in comparison with the yr earlier than, however he had them main the best way for distance run, variety of turnovers and the quantity of possession received within the closing third.
High coaches adapt as they be taught, so there’s no assure Slot will change issues an excessive amount of. Certainly, Opta already has them because the fifth greatest urgent facet within the Premier League in 2024/25.
Nonetheless, with title rivals Man Metropolis and Arsenal two of the 4 groups forward of them on this regard, it could possibly be an space Slot seeks to additional enhance.
Sharing objectives and trusting youth
Lastly, it’s clear from the signing of Ekitike and the pursuit of Alexander Isak that Slot is aware of he wants so as to add extra sources of objectives to his facet. This was an intention earlier than the sale of Darwin Nunez and the tragic lack of Diogo Jota. The burden on Mohamad Salah’s shoulders must be lifted.
At Feyenoord, a lot was made from the objectives of Santiago Gimenez, however intriguingly he solely netted 15 of their 81 within the League within the title-winning season.
The workforce’s variety of objectives and XG elevated however what’s secret’s that the unfold of them did too. Of their respective latest League triumphs, 60% of Liverpool’s objectives got here from three gamers, whereas for Feyenoord the identical proportion got here from 5.
Or put it one other manner, Salah’s strikes made up 27% of Liverpool’s objectives in all competitions final season, while in Slot’s second Feyenoord season, Gimenez’s contribution made up simply 19%, with 17 totally different gamers chipping in.
And linked to attacking contributions, it’s notable already that Slot is a fan of Rio Ngumoha. He could solely be 16 however Slot has historical past of trusting in youth and giving it an opportunity to flourish.
In 2022/23, a complete of 10 gamers aged 22 or underneath made a minimum of 10 appearances underneath him. His title-winning captain Orkun Kokcu was solely 21.
The chance to get common motion at Lyon was too good to show down for Tyler Morton, however the likes of Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni may all get extra sport time regardless of the rising of expectations.
The ultimate phrase
It goes with out saying that Slot will need enhancements in all areas. It’s what has made him such a profitable coach so far. And it’s why Liverpool introduced him in – a person not simply with concepts however requirements.
He’ll know greater than anybody that the bar must be lifted once more.
It could be barely unnerving to think about that Slot has solely ever had one full second season in a job.
However, with the performances to date and the excessive ceiling for additional enchancment, even higher success could possibly be simply across the nook.
