As we approach the end of the English Premier League, it’s becoming more evident that Liverpool seem like the unlikely champions. The Reds, after a long wait, could finally catch up with Manchester United and secure their 20th Premier League title. However, this isn’t an easy feat, considering they had a managerial change at the beginning of the season. For most teams, this means that they would spend that time restructuring but instead the Red are blazing hot with 12 point league at the top of the table.
So what’s the secret behind this quick success? How did Liverpool’s new manager Arne Slot accomplish this feat in his first season? This and many more are the questions Kate Richardson will answer in this post as we try to explain the Dutchman’s secret.
With Jurgen Klopp announcing his departure from Liverpool at the end of the 2023/24 season, a lot of questions were asked about the fate of the Merseyside team. This was a team that was facing a period of success under Klopp and now they suddenly decided to switch it all up. Once the club announced that Arne Slot was going to take over at Liverpool, fans and pundits wondered if the Dutchman could recreate the magic he had done at Feyenoord. During his time at the club, Slot had gone unbeaten and taken the Dutch team through a successful stint.
Now at Liverpool, Slot faced the choice of sticking with a team that was already good enough or breaking it all down and rebuilding over the next few years. For many managers, the latter is the usual approach, but instead, Slot took a bold step—he built on the success of the current Liverpool team. He only made a few psychological tweaks and that has made all the difference at the club.
So what were the tweaks he made? According to Slot, he believes that the psychological trick that made them successful was sleep. In his words, the Liverpool manager, Arne Slot stated:
“Sleep is a very important part of getting the best possible performance. There is the argument for them to be at home with their families. But also, being at home makes them better prepared for a game in the opinion of people who tell me about this. If you use common sense, everyone can understand that you sleep better in your own bed than a hotel bed.”
If that was the secret to going unbeaten in their last 25 games, then every team should sign contracts with bedding companies and put all their players to sleep. But the truth is, Liverpool’s success goes beyond eight hours of quality rest.
Aside from having Liverpool players sleeping at the AXA Training Facility and their homes, Arne Slot has maintained a strong winning mentality with numerous tactical adjustments.
For one, the Liverpool manager tweaked their style of play without completely overhauling their game. He introduced a possession-based approach that ensured they built up play from the back and kept the ball much more. This is in contrast with the team’s route one style of football which they were known for years ago. Instead, their approach became much more fluid and attacking oriented, as they were able to dominate the midfield while dictating the flow of the game. With this they have been able to make over 15,323 passes at an average of 528.23 per match.
We have also seen a new wave in their defensive play, as they have become much more solid in the back while also maintaining their high pressing style. So when they are off the ball, they restructure their formation into a 4-2-4 which forces their opponents to play out wide. This tactical change has also ensured that attackers can constantly rotate and exploit opposing defences by overloading their high press. As a result, opponents make mistakes which then allows Liverpool’s attackers to capitalise and take control of matches. This well-balanced tactical approach has been a crucial element to Liverpool’s dominance this season, and it’s much like a well-calculated betting strategy. You see, if you want to win big in betting, you need to be able to combine different tactical strategies just like Slot. You can also combine your bets for bigger wins with MightyTips, as they provide bettors with some of the best accumulator tips out there. This way you can increase your chances of winning, control your bets and also get the best tips from reliable and experienced bettors.
As much as Liverpool have worked together as a unit to reach this point in the season, we must also acknowledge the impact of individual brilliance. Certain players have stepped up in crucial moments, shifting the tide of games, rescuing the team from defeat, or scoring decisive goals.
Of course, that’s the essence of assembling a strong squad. However, special credit must go to Mohamed Salah, who is having a stellar season and delivering for the Reds when it matters most. With 55 shots on target and 27 goals, the Egyptian talisman has been a player Slot has relied on to lead Liverpool to victory. While it’s no secret that Salah is one of the best players in the league, what’s impressive is that, at 32 years old, he isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. Just like former Man United Player, Gary Neville said, “He’s a magnificent player that is at an absolutely golden moment, a golden period in his career where everything feels so easy for him.”
Other players, such as Luis Díaz and Trent Alexander-Arnold, have also been key ingredients in cooking up the storm that Liverpool have become this season. And we can attribute all this to Slot’s ability to combine tactical discipline with individual brilliance which then results in total dominance.
Liverpool’s incredible run under Arne Slot has been nothing short of spectacular. The team’s performance has exceeded expectations, especially for a squad that underwent a managerial change. This only highlights the tactical genius of the Dutchman as he leads Liverpool toward their 20th league title. Now, the big question remains: Can they replicate this success next season, or will they burn out, as they seem to be doing in the later stages?
