Arne Slot‘s first season on the helm delivered a Premier League title, blowing all expectations out of the water – together with our preliminary methods he wanted to enhance Liverpool.
It was a frightening interval as soon as Jurgen Klopp departed as Liverpool entered the comparatively unknown with Slot, and it was a job that got here with areas to enhance.
Forward of the Dutchman’s first pre-season, we recognized 5 methods Slot may enhance the Liverpool he inherited and it’s honest to say he did an almighty job at doing so.
In saying that, let’s take a look at the 5 methods we thought Slot may enhance the Reds and the way he acquired on in actuality – trace: it might show that nobody had something to fret about.
‘Cease conceding the opening objective so typically!’
What we stated: ‘Klopp’s males conceded first 23 instances – accounting for 39.6 % of the video games – within the German’s final season in cost.’
Conceding first was an enormous fear underneath Klopp, leaving rather a lot to do seemingly each week for an already fatigued squad.
Beneath Slot, Liverpool conceded first on 19 events in 56 video games throughout all competitions, accounting for 33.9 % of matches – an enchancment on final season.
It was within the remaining 12 matches the place the Reds let themselves down, conceding first in six and happening to win solely two.
Now not the large concern that it was, underlined by conceding first 5 instances within the first 20 video games of the season.
Verdict: Success
‘Cut back the variety of accidents’
What we stated: “Twenty-two gamers missed a sport on account of damage in 2023/24, combining for 362 video games missed.”
This one can thought of an enormous success because the variety of video games missed lowered by an astonishing 64.3 %.
Solely 11 common senior gamers had been compelled to overlook not less than one sport this season, combining for 129 video games out – a stark enchancment after 670 video games missed throughout the earlier two seasons.
It was right down to something however luck with Ruben Peeters, first-team lead bodily efficiency coach, a catalyst for change and it delivered the final word reward on the finish of the season.
Verdict: Huge success
‘Overcome Goodison and Previous Trafford struggles’
What we stated: “If there have been ever two video games you could possibly predict dropped factors in a season, it might be away to Everton and Man United – not the way it must be, however the way it has been.”
The journeys to Previous Trafford and Goodison Park returned 4 factors from six this season, and if not for a wild equaliser from Everton Slot would have banked full factors.
Though the Reds weren’t at their free-flowing greatest towards the Toffees, this one deserves one other tick after Man United had been picked aside to the tune of 3-0 in September.
Previous Trafford has not often been a spot for constructive recollections, no matter type heading into the match, however that flipped on its head and the hope now’s it stays that method (let’s not speak concerning the Anfield conflict…)
Verdict: Success
‘Discover the medical edge’
What we stated: “It isn’t that Liverpool had been quick on objectives underneath Klopp – they scored the membership’s second-highest-ever tally in 2023/24 – they simply must be extra ruthless in game-defining moments.”
Within the Premier League, as per FotMobLiverpool scored essentially the most common objectives per match (2.3), created the best anticipated objectives (83.5), had essentially the most common pictures on track (6.1) and created essentially the most huge probabilities (150).
They did, nonetheless, additionally miss essentially the most huge probabilities (92) – with Mo Salah liable for 24 and Diogo Jota 14.
There stays the sensation Liverpool nonetheless left the door ajar for his or her opponent as an alternative of ending them off – PSG at Anfield springs to thoughts – and that ought to stay a spotlight within the coming season.
Verdict: Nonetheless room to enhance
‘Assert extra management and fewer chaos’
What we stated: “‘Liverpool doing it that arduous method’ or with a ‘aptitude for the dramatics’ has not been unusual lately, however it might be encouraging to see this modification underneath new administration.”
The aptitude for the dramatics is definitely engrained within the membership however Slot did inject management into Liverpool’s model of play, pulling again on the gung-ho nature we had been used to underneath Klopp.
Within the Premier League, Liverpool led 32 instances and received 25 – essentially the most of any aspect – with chaos making method for management, and threat rigorously managed.
Whereas creating the best xG within the league, the Reds additionally had the second-lowest xG conceded (38.7), an instance of a group that’s now assessing threat vs. reward.
It consequently had a knock-on impact on the environment inside Anfield previous to the title run-in, however Slot’s method acquired the job achieved.
Verdict: Success
