Slot’s 20/20 Vision

Liverpool was officially crowned Premier League champions on April 27, 2025 after a commanding 5-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur—a fairytale ending for newly appointed manager Arne Slot, who joined from Feyenoord last summer. Slot was a relatively unknown figure outside the Eredivisie and was met with skepticism upon his appointment. Many fans and pundits questioned whether he could live up to the legacy that his predecessor Jürgen Klopp, a monumental figure for Liverpool, left behind. Beyond the trophies Klopp brought to the club, the emotional connection he built with players and supporters cannot be denied, making his decision to step down from manager so significant. For Slot, stepping into Klopp’s shoes was an incredibly difficult challenge that he needed to rise to. 

Usually, managers’ first seasons begin with major signings in the first summer transfer window. Slot, however, focused more on maximizing the talent already present in the squad. After Liverpool’s failed pursuit of Real Sociedad midfielder Martín Zubimendi, Slot deputized midfielder Ryan Gravenberch in the defensive midfield position, unlocking his potential. Under Klopp’s tenure, Gravenberch underperformed; he consistently struggled in getting playing time, only managing around 2000 minutes across all competitions in his debut season under Klopp. Under Slot, Gravenberch saw a notable increase in minutes (reaching upwards of 4000 minutes across all competitions), has become a mainstay in the squad, and was a key component in Liverpool’s success this season. 

Gravenberch’s resurgence isn’t solely because he has been given more opportunities to play; Slot also tactically tweaked his role in the squad. Under Klopp, Gravenberch was used more as a box-to-box midfielder—a role he struggled to perform well in. The defensive midfield position Slot has employed Gravenberch in plays more into his strengths. Gravenberch is particularly strong in ball carrying and resisting the press—two qualities that are better suited in a deeper role. This was highlighted in Gravenberch’s exceptional performance in Liverpool’s 3-1 away win against Manchester United, where he effectively drove the ball forward and dominated possession, demonstrating his ability to perform from deep. 

Gravenberch wasn’t the only Liverpool player to benefit from Slot’s approach; midfielder Curtis Jones saw immense growth. Like Gravenberch, Jones saw a noticeable increase in minutes in the 2024-25 campaign. He also consistently started in Liverpool’s most crucial fixtures, as highlighted in Jones’s performance in Liverpool’s statement, early season 2-1 victory against Chelsea. Jones excelled, winning a penalty and also scoring the decisive goal to win the tie. Slot’s ability to make the most out of his squad and reignite the spark in many underperforming stars proved to be a crucial factor towards Liverpool’s success. Jones himself has credited Slot and coaching staff for his transformation, praising the trust they have instilled into him. Slot’s management of previously underutilized Gravenberch and Jones is a testament to his exceptional squad management. 

Of course, Slot’s management of star players like Mohamed Salah was just as vital to Liverpool’s success. Under Slot, Salah had one of his most prolific seasons, scoring 28 goals and providing 18 assists in 35 league appearances. Salah led the Premier League in both statistics. His 46 goal contributions amounted for nearly 57 percent of Liverpool’s total league goals, highlighting his remarkable role in Liverpool’s title winning campaign. Salah’s historic season earned him the Football Writers Association Footballer of the Year Award; he clinched it with almost 90 percent of the votes, which is the largest margin of victory in this century. His form this season has also made him a strong contender for the esteemed Ballon D’Or award. Slot’s decision to shift to a 4-2-3-1 formation benefited Salah significantly, giving him more space and support in attacking positions. Salah’s freedom made his role more flexible, maximizing his strength of cutting inside and creating goal scoring opportunities. Salah acts as both a playmaker and goal scorer in Slot’s new setup. Slot’s overall approach to Liverpool’s tactical structure reflects this tactical flexibility. 

Liverpool’s dominance throughout this entire campaign further highlights Slot’s tactical brilliance. Although Slot draws heavily from Klopp’s high pressing philosophy, Slot has made minor adjustments to the structure, including introducing a more fluid attacking shape to take advantage of the strengths of Liverpool’s wingers while also refining Liverpool’s pressing intensity, which make them much more difficult to tactically set up against. Unlike Klopp, Slot has shown an openness to adapting or changing his tactics based on the opponent and is more willing to alter the structure when it’s not working. In their first match of the season against Ipswich Town FC, Liverpool struggled in the first half, only managing to land one shot on target. Slot recognized the need for change and made substitutions accordingly. One of the biggest problems for Liverpool in the first was the team’s struggle in aerial duels. Slot boldly replaced the young centre-back Jarell Quansah with experienced centre-back Ibrahima Konaté, known for his adeptness in winning duels all over the field. This change strengthened Liverpool’s defense and improved their control in the second half, securing them a 2-0 victory. Although many said that it was an easy game for Liverpool, these bold changes so early into Slot’s tenure were an early indication of Slot’s willingness to make drastic decisions in harsh times.

Slot’s willingness to make in-game tactical changes contrasts with Klopp’s strong belief in his own philosophy and tactics. Klopp’s systems often evolved over time, and changes in team structure were gradual. Meanwhile, Slot’s methodology is more flexible and adaptive. For instance, the early part of Klopp’s Liverpool tenure was characterised by a “heavy metal” philosophy, emphasizing high-intensity pressing and rapid transitions. On the other hand, as the squad developed, Klopp shifted to a more possession and control-based approach. While Klopp’s tactics evolved over time, Slot has a less definitive philosophy and prefers to make quick in-game adjustments that vary based on the opposition, altering the structure when it’s necessary. 

Overall, the 2024-25 league campaign has been a wonderful start for the Slot era at Liverpool. It is rare for a manager to win a major trophy in their first season at a club, since managers often need time to develop their projects. However, Slot has managed to rapidly uplift the team through his philosophy. Liverpool fans have much to look forward to as the Slot era unfolds.