Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has explained there is greater focus on short passes and building play from the back under Arne Slot than predecessor Jurgen Klopp.
Klopp was known for his ‘heavy metal football’, usually dubbed “gegenpressing” that previously also had been a pillar of his success at his former club, Borussia Dortmund. Slot already appears more loyal to his Dutch roots, implementing a system that requires a deeper starting position.
“From all the things that he [Slot] asks, it doesn’t change too much because in the end on the pitch, it’s our decision,” Alisson explained, via LiverpoolFC.com.
“We have to read the game, we have to understand where we can play, where we can’t – sometimes taking risks but calculated risks, not making silly mistakes but always trying to play,” he continued.
“Arne is a manager that likes to create from behind a lot with short passes to create spaces where we can hurt the opponent.”
“For me it didn’t change too much, but I think for the team it changes a little bit more the formation. But for me it’s been great – I have more players to play together closer to me.”
“If we can do that with consistency, if we can do that in every game, in an intense way, defending really good, being compact, I think we can achieve great things for the season.”
Slot has earned plaudits for the way Liverpool won their opening Premier League fixture against newly promoted Ipswich Town last weekend, identifying the problems with a lacklustre first half and quickly accepting that changes and tweaks were needed to get more out of his team.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot
It was also a boost that the 2-0 victory was underpinned by a clean sheet.
Liverpool comfortably had the Premier League’s third-best defensive record last season but managed only ten clean sheets in 38 games. Their shutout against Wolves on the final day was only a second in 17 league games played since the end of January.
“This is a clear message from the manager. He wants us to get more clean sheets,” Alisson said.
“He understands the importance of getting clean sheets, of having a team that can defend really well, being solid, being compact, being consistent. This is going to carry us through the season and will win us games as well.”
“We know the offensive quality that we have. So if we can defend the same way as we attack, if we can be that good, it will be really good for us this season to achieve our goals.”
