Arne Slot arrived at Liverpool with big shoes to fill, and the Dutch manager has done just that. The Reds currently sit at the top of both the Premier League and the revamped UEFA Champions League tables. We review what has gone right for Slot in his first half-season at Liverpool.
If there was any doubt that Liverpool could continue their success after Jürgen Klopp’s departure, Arne Slot has quelled it.
The new boss in Merseyside got off to a hot start, winning eight of his first 10 Premier League games, as well as his first six Champions League games. This early success sent a clear message to both Liverpool fans and rivals that there wouldn’t be an adjustment period under the new regime. But even Slot himself could not have predicted such a strong beginning.
At 36 points through 15 matches thus far, Liverpool leads the Prem, with Chelsea and Arsenal hot on their heels. However, Slot’s team has already triumphed over Chelsea and drawn against Arsenal, in addition to defeating Manchester City. The cherry on top was a 3-0 thrashing of an ailing Manchester United. A clear message sent to the English football world, the Reds aren’t taking any prisoners. Liverpool’s ability to take points from their closest rivals has proven to be the key difference between them and the rest this season.
In Europe, Liverpool have been perfect, and are the only undefeated side in the new UEFA Champions League format. It wasn’t a cupcake schedule either — this run has seen victories over AC Milan, Real Madrid, and Bayer Leverkusen.
The biggest beneficiary of the new manager’s tactics has been striker Mohamed Salah, who has an astonishing 13 goals and 10 assists in 15 Premier League matches. Luis Díaz, Cody Gakpo, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold have also been influential, contributing heavily during the first half of the season.
Taking Inspiration from the Best
Drawing inspiration from the styles of Pep Guardiola, Johan Cruyff, and Klopp, Slot has implemented a 4-2-3-1 formation, occasionally shifting to a 4-3-3 and defending in a 4-2-4. The heart of his tactics revolves around a philosophy of passing to create chances at all costs. It is through the play of his most talented players, especially the full backs, that Liverpool has been able to bulldoze their competition.
As a result, the club is not only one of the highest-scoring sides in the league, but also boasts the best defense, with only 13 goals conceded this season. They live by the old saying, “the best defense is a great offense.”
For ESPN Argentina journalist and Premier League expert Rosario Pompizzi, Slot has built upon his predecessor’s legacy while adding his own unique style to a talented Liverpool squad in need of a fresh voice.
“Slot’s cycle began with positive energy, even before he arrived,” Pompizzi said. “Klopp gave him his blessing in his final match as manager, passing the torch.
“Liverpool strengthened their identity with Klopp. Sporting success was matched with institutional growth, and that had to be maintained. The groundwork was laid to continue the process. Slot observed Klopp’s experiments with Trent Alexander-Arnold, which were widely criticized. He returned to the basics and focused more on defensive tasks. Ryan Gravenberch gained the trust he needed to settle in and proved he could perform even when switching positions.”
Slotball and Liverpool’s Players
Slot has his team playing with triangular passes and ensures that the full backs push up the field constantly. When possession is lost, the team immediately engages in a high press. This collective effort has been a hallmark of Liverpool’s style.
“Liverpool wouldn’t be in this position without the commitment of every player,” Pompizzi said. “From back to front, Virgil van Dijk is the first pillar due to his natural leadership; then Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch, and finally, a revitalized Mo Salah, because to win, you need to score goals, and he not only scores but also assists.”
It is in Mac Allister where Slot’s philosophy truly shines. The Argentine is a gifted passer and shooter, but he also has an impressive drive to win the ball back and deliver quality passes to the forwards. The World Cup winner symbolizes how Liverpool plays — a pressing style that’s more measured than Klopp’s all-out approach.
Pompizzi compares the differences between Klopp and Slot’s styles to music.
“Klopp is heavy metal, while Slot is alternative rock — different intensities in their play,” she said. “Both versions show sacrifice. The team presses, but with a more cautious, patient approach, focusing on building the play. Slot avoids excessive risks. Possession is the priority. At the same time, he seeks to maintain order and calm when the opponent has the ball. His attack flows smoothly.
“In today’s frantic rhythm of games every three days, Slot’s style helps conserve energy. Still, at certain moments in some matches, the team looked more direct, with greater power and pressing.”
Liverpool’s Edge Over Chelsea and Manchester United
Liverpool’s ability to quickly move on after a highly influential manager is no small feat. Manchester United, who have just hired their fourth manager in the past six years, have notoriously struggled since Sir Alex Ferguson left the club in 2013.
Chelsea, on the other hand, have also seen their fair share of struggles in recent years, but it’s a change in owner, not manager, that seems to be the culprit.
In the cases of both clubs, a misaligned culture between the team and its managers/owners has exacerbated the struggles to move on.
“Clubs like Liverpool or Arsenal, for example, benefit from managers who fit the club’s culture,” Pompizzi said. “Chelsea, however, is not a welcoming club. Thomas Tuchel’s personality and firmness helped him, but even after success, they let him go.
“Chelsea doesn’t understand processes. Since Roman Abramovich’s departure, the club has lacked direction. They bought players out of greed, and in that context, achieving success is difficult. The problem is giving a manager omnipotence when they don’t have it. Success or failure can’t be attributed to just one person; they’re only a piece of the puzzle.”
For Liverpool, the secret to their fast start to the season has been finding the right fit and empowering the squad with a new manager who, on paper, could continue to mold the team. Teams like Chelsea, Tottenham, and Manchester United often chase short-term solutions rather than seeking a long-term fit. While Chelsea has begun to turn a corner this season, history shows that a misstep could cost players starting positions and a coach his job.
Even during dark times under Klopp, Liverpool didn’t panic. Instead, they stayed the course, and the result has been a significant boost to a squad that, while very talented, perhaps needed a new voice — even if the old one belonged to a great manager.
Slot had already seen success with Feyenoord, winning both the Dutch league and cup. He boasts an impressive 64% win rate, having managed SC Cambuur and AZ Alkmaar, before taking over Liverpool.
So far, Slot has suffered only one defeat in 23 matches, with 54 goals scored and just 17 conceded. They have defeated Manchester City, Real Madrid, AC Milan, and Manchester United. In just six months, Liverpool is riding a high that could lead to silverware across multiple competitions.
For fans who feared what might happen after Klopp’s departure, the mood around Anfield now is one of reassurance — the club is in safe hands. This is a testament to Arne Slot, who didn’t come to England with wild, untested ideas, but rather the precision of a surgeon, improving upon the talented team he inherited.
