The newly appointed Liverpool boss, Arne Slot, displayed no annoyance about launching the new Premier League season in Suffolk at half past noon on Saturday. He also found the UK’s fascination with transfers perplexing. He mentioned his surprise at the incessant football talk on Sky Sports and made a comment on the substantial amount of speculation surrounding players in England. Slot is evidently still figuring out the complexities of English football, though what truly matters is his understanding of the sport itself as it’s played in England.
Slot has swiftly managed to acclimatise to Liverpool’s players, who have reciprocated by embracing his precise focus on the finer points of the game. This was evident in a promising preseason, where they won matches against Real Betis, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Sevilla. Comparatively more composed and in control of the ball than in the time of Jürgen Klopp, Slot’s Liverpool have shown their skill at goal-scoring, as they try to rectify a weakness from the previous season.
As the action shifts from preseason to the first competitive game of Slot’s Liverpool coach career, he is set to face Ipswich, a recently promoted team, at a pulsating Portman Road. This will also be Slot’s debut league match outside of his homeland, the Netherlands. The 45-year-old expresses his readiness for the fervour of the Premier League.
Slot expressed the expectation of a vibrant environment due to the newly promoted team, and the importance of matching that energy to bring forward their capabilities. He also commended his players for their hard work during the preseason and reiterated his expectation for the same dedication as a minimum standard. While he anticipates bringing the best football they can, he accepts that if they fail to do so, hard work, combined with the inherent talent of the team, can turn the game around. Ideally, he hopes to see the progress made during the preseason carry forward into the Premier League, but is prepared to seek victory through alternative means if necessary.
Under Slot’s command, AZ Alkmaar topped the league during his inaugural season, however the 2019-20 Eredivisie season was unfortunately called off due to the Covid outbreak. His second year as head coach witnessed Feyenoord clinching the trophy, their first in half a dozen years. Though hesitant to forecast his upcoming Liverpool campaign’s outcomes, and thankful for Klopp’s impressive squad, Slot believes there’s potential for improvement in the Premier League, given Liverpool’s previous performances that placed them nine and 22 points behind champions Manchester City.
Slot acknowledges reservations regarding forecasting Liverpool’s chances to improve upon their third position from the previous season, stating that such judgements depend on multiple factors. He argues that a comprehensive evaluation of both their and opponents’ current competencies, improvements, if any, and respective standings are needed prior to making firm predictions.
He asserts that any definitive answers regarding the team’s position can be accurately provided after the first few matches which would give a clearer understanding of Liverpool’s standing relative to other teams. Slot highlights the team’s ultimate goal – to reduce the point gap from the previous two seasons when they lagged considerably.
Slot may find the Premier League’s extensive focus on player transfers perplexing, perhaps even its preoccupation with finances, but for Liverpool, there’s a valid justification. Liverpool remains the only Premier League club that hasn’t yet announced a new signing for the forthcoming season. Spanish player Martín Zubimendi was marked as Liverpool’s first choice for the vacant No 6 midfielder position. However, Slot’s plans were disrupted as Zubimendi declined Liverpool’s proposal to remain with Real Sociedad.
Michael Edwards, the chief executive of football for Fenway Sports Group, and Richard Hughes, the sporting director, faced a significant disappointment in their roles at Liverpool Football Club. Their hopes of seeing Zubimendi on their team were thwarted, even after successful negotiations in San Sebastián, Spain. Previously, Zubimendi had passed on offers from Arsenal and Bayern Munich. Despite Liverpool’s best efforts, spearheaded by Richard Hughes, Zubimendi declined their offer.
As Slot asserts, “The decision was entirely his to make. We did all we could; it didn’t pan out, and that’s not a massive issue as we have six other midfielders in our roster.”
Liverpool’s attention now focuses on Giorgi Mamardashvili, the skilled Valencia goalkeeper who recently caught eyes at the Euros while playing for Georgia. However, Slot rejects the notion that the only way to bolster a team is through transfer market acquisitions.
Slot’s approach to team development differs from his predecessor’s. His particular interest in tactics is made evident in the regular drills Liverpool’s players undertake. As Conor Bradley, one of the team’s defenders, elaborates: “We hold meetings almost daily to help us better grasp his tactical approach. The sessions are varied; some brief, others quite lengthy. They are very informative. I find them instrumental in understanding his preferred gameplay.
“I’m finding it interesting and enjoyable to acquire new knowledge, so it’s all been positive,” added Bradley, mentioning that under Jürgen’s leadership, meetings only occurred on the eve of matches. The time has come for the team to put into practice what they have learned.