Slot-ball

[Dreambeliever]

So first names on the team sheet are gravy and Curtis now, yes?

Salah.

 

[ibromurph]

1) TAA was never a bad defender 1 v 1 - he became bad in the last 2 seasons because of the excessive running he would have to do as Henderson waned. Now he is told defence first and attack if secure - that works.

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bLp45CJdxBk?app=desktop

I largely agree but I don't think it's that simple. I think he's made small tweaks which has helped everyone.

TAA for example, he spoke his body position. Such a minor technical change, but it's made a big difference.

Also, TAA has taken defending a lot more seriously. He's mentally switched on this year in a way he hasn't been since his debut season when he locked down Sane.

 

[Woland]

Fuck Trent, he's leaving. Get the Conor Tayto lad starting on the pitch more often to get him ready for being our main RB for the next decade.

 

[Modo]

The only one from that list he has improved is Gravy and Nunez to engage his brain, all the others you have listed plus what you think he has improved is not actual improvement - it's his setup and style of play that has bought out talent which they already had. Klopp and his Assistant's methods never allowed for the best qualities of those other players to shine:

1) TAA was never a bad defender 1 v 1 - he became bad in the last 2 seasons because of the excessive running he would have to do as Henderson waned. Now he is told defence first and attack if secure - that works.

2) Gakpo - we already know he never understood what Klopp was telling him and virtually drained him of his best abilities which is to play as a left winger. We also saw a different Gakpo in the Euro's and that is the Gakpo we are seeing in our team now.

3) Kostas - half this site is mad when they speak bad on him, every time he has had a consistent run even under Klopp he was as good as he was tonight. He has the odd bad game and guess when that is ? - it's always his first fill in game because Robbo is either rested or injured.

4) Diaz - proved he was a good finisher previously - but the way we play - slower build up not chaotic chances coming out of mad pressing / counter-attacking. Today was the real him - which we liked when when he lifted the whole squad the day he played his first game for us. Last season under Klopp was his first ever full season with us by the way.

That said - last season the team played very well under Klopp - BUT for bad fucked up finishing we failed to win the title. Klopp trained a team last season that was title winning material but bad finishing was the issue that let us down, not injuries or anything else it was plain and simple bad fucked up finishing in those last 3 months.

Even though I agree with most of what you said, I think it's too soon to speak of it as definitive just yet.
We've only played a quarter of the season. I need the see Slot follow through before I make my judgement.
We've had a few narrow wins and looking good against Leverkusen who were terrible isn't enough to convince me.

 

[rurikbird]

I must say, I like what Arnie and his team are doing on the coaching side of things at Liverpool.

Not sure if it's just a "new manager bounce", but many players of the players seem to be showing improvement in some technical/mental areas, this season.

Namely:

1) TAA defensively. His 1 v 1s look much better. He's more aggressive, runs back more, is getting lower in his stance, balance has improved, his recovery tackles. Seems to be taking it much more seriously and his positional awareness seems much better too. Ironically, on the ball is where he's been inconsistent.

2) Gravy - all round. His confidence, his defensive awareness, his running with ball, his decision making, his tackling.

3) Kostas - aggression, tackling, delivery, and concentration all improved.

4) Jones - releasing the ball a second earlier even if he does like to hog it a bit still, and his decision making is getting better too.

5) Darwin - his first touch, workrate, hold up play, link up play and running with the ball has all improved. Decision making has slightly improved though still a massive area of improvement.

6) Diaz - confidence, end product, directness and link up play.

7) Gakpo - confidence, directness, dribbling and defensive workrate.

==

There's also been minor improvements in areas with VVD (his line breaking passes, and stepping out to defend), Szobo (first touch isn't as horrendous), Gomez (looked back to his best at the weekend, although it was only 1 half) and Salah (defensive workrate).

Players who seem to have struggled/stagnated are Robbo, Endo and Quansah.

Add Macca to the list of players who looked better under Klopp than Slot. Full list IMHO:

Alisson =
Kelleher = (maybe even improved, but surely that’s down to him naturally maturing)

Van Dijk =
Konate +
Gomez =
Quansah -

Trent (unclear - defensive improvement, but quieter attacking-wise)
Robbo - (probably not Slot’s fault, just age catching up)
Tsimikas +

Gravvy +
Macca -
Jones =
Szobo =
Endo =

Diaz +
Salah =
Nunez =
Gakpo +
Jota =

Overall 5 players look noticeably better under Slot and 3 look worse. Among the players Klopp couldn’t “unlock” (Szobo and Nunez), so far Slot hasn’t been able to do so either.

 

[Stevesquash]

Add Macca to the list of players who looked better under Klopp than Slot. Full list IMHO:

Alisson =
Kelleher = (maybe even improved, but surely that’s down to him naturally maturing)

Van Dijk =
Konate +
Gomez =
Quansah -

Trent (unclear - defensive improvement, but quieter attacking-wise)
Robbo - (probably not Slot’s fault, just age catching up)
Tsimikas +

Gravvy +
Macca -
Jones =
Szobo =
Endo =

Diaz +
Salah =
Nunez =
Gakpo +
Jota =

Overall 5 players look noticeably better under Slot and 3 look worse. Among the players Klopp couldn’t “unlock” (Szobo and Nunez), so far Slot hasn’t been able to do so either.

Jones has to be a plus. He's moved up from peripheral. Nunez too. Even if only for the fact he's playing deeper and can do some good defensive work

 

[rurikbird]

Jones has to be a plus. He's moved up from peripheral. Nunez too. Even if only for the fact he's playing deeper and can do some good defensive work

Jones was a starting midfielder for Klopp before the Spurs sending-off and subsequent injury. I hope you’re right and he becomes a + but so far it’s too early to say it definitively. He only broke through to Slot’s starting 11 like 4 games ago.

 

[keniget]

The sample size is too small at the moment.

Also, Konate doesn’t look better now under Slot. He had some great spells under Klopp when fit.

Tsimikas is another that’s debatable. The main plus point with Slot here is that he’s willing to pick him.

 

[rurikbird]

The sample size is too small at the moment.

Also, Konate doesn’t look better now under Slot. He had some great spells under Klopp when fit.

Tsimikas is another that’s debatable. The main plus point with Slot here is that he’s willing to pick him.

I think Konate’s passing game has improved tremendously, for one thing.

Fair point on Tsimikas. He was always better after a run of games and Slot finally gave it to him.

 

[MomoWASright]

I think Konate’s passing game has improved tremendously, for one thing.

Fair point on Tsimikas. He was always better after a run of games and Slot finally gave it to him.

This was always my thinking. He never seemed to be able to get match fit because he either dropped for Robbo or got injured himself. With the games coming thick and fast, he’s being used more and can get into that rhythm.

His corners have gone up a few levels.

 

[Modo]

This was always my thinking. He never seemed to be able to get match fit because he either dropped for Robbo or got injured himself. With the games coming thick and fast, he’s being used more and can get into that rhythm.

His corners have gone up a few levels.

Tsimi has always crossed the ball better than Robbo, regarding corners he's the one who took the corner in the league cup final that Van Dijk scored from.

 

[rurikbird]

Tsimi has always crossed the ball better than Robbo, regarding corners he's the one who took the corner in the league cup final that Van Dijk scored from.

Robbo has more than double the amount of career assists to Tsimikas. I think Tsimikas is a better crosser from a static ball for sure, but we shouldn’t underestimate Robbo’s variety of deliveries and timing.

Either way, it’s pretty clear Tsimi has won the starting spot for now. Will probably start at the weekend too.

 

[Modo]

Robbo has more than double the amount of career assists to Tsimikas. I think Tsimikas is a better crosser from a static ball for sure, but we shouldn’t underestimate Robbo’s variety of deliveries and timing.

Double amount of games too...

 

[tombrown]

Also, Konate doesn’t look better now under Slot. He had some great spells under Klopp when fit.

That's the improvement ...

 

[iseered]

That's the improvement ...

You've just gone and jinxed it now

 

[Dreambeliever]

Jones has stepped up to another level of impact under Slot never seen under Klopp.

 

[MomoWASright]

Robbo has more than double the amount of career assists to Tsimikas. I think Tsimikas is a better crosser from a static ball for sure, but we shouldn’t underestimate Robbo’s variety of deliveries and timing.

Either way, it’s pretty clear Tsimi has won the starting spot for now. Will probably start at the weekend too.

He did have that one but this season they seem like Nike made bombs being launched into the box.

 

[Bradley]

Fuck Trent, he's leaving. Get the Conor Tayto lad starting on the pitch more often to get him ready for being our main RB for the next decade.

That's all well and good, but just like Trent, Bradley could easily have his head turned.

Dungannon Swifts aren't going to become Irish league champions without one or two final pieces to the puzzle.

 

[Woland]

Jones has stepped up to another level of impact under Slot never seen under Klopp.

No, he's always had all the skills and won us matches, he just gets injured too often.

 

[Hansern]

I think Konate’s passing game has improved tremendously, for one thing.

Fair point on Tsimikas. He was always better after a run of games and Slot finally gave it to him.

Yes, Konate looks much improved and its a credit to Slots fitness team that they have been able to keep him fit.

 

[Hansern]

Fwiw, I think Macca is just in a downward spell form wise after the injury and the Copa. He'll continue to develop under Slot.

 

[Modo]

Talking about improvement:


View: https://www.reddit.com/r/LiverpoolFC/comments/1gkrkc4/trent_alexanderarnold_talks_about_arne_slots/

 

[Hansern]

Trent looks like he is enjoying his football and the new manager.

 

[rurikbird]

View: https://x.com/ayfodda/status/1853936695600701651

Front 3 combining for this goal. Look how deep Luis is when receiving the ball.

 

[localny]

I'm liking Diaz through the center.

 

[Woland]

I think that kind of talk is disgusting

 

[Modo]

Loving the penetration

 

[rurikbird]

View: https://x.com/premierleague/status/1854210889647333877

About half of those didn’t last long - a cautionary tale for Slot. Sometimes early success becomes a stick you’re whipped with when you hit a rough patch.

 

[MomoWASright]

Most Premier League managers don’t last long.

 

[Farkmaster]

View: https://x.com/premierleague/status/1854210889647333877

About half of those didn’t last long - a cautionary tale for Slot. Sometimes early success becomes a stick you’re whipped with when you hit a rough patch.

A majority of them are excellent managers, but yeah, as I've said before, the real test is failing and then righting the ship.

I'm happy with skipping that test though.

Let's say slot does great with this team, big pieces leave, he can't make it work again, but the first season is a fabulous success. The thing about one hit wonders, is that any kind of wonderful is still wonderful.