Arne Slot explains what formation Liverpool were really playing against Real Betis in his first game

Add as preferred source on Google

The Arne Slot era is fully underway at Liverpool after the Dutchman took charge of his first official game with the club.

Reds supporters have been waiting patiently to see exactly what they can expect to have changed from the style of play under Jurgen Klopp last season.

All of the noises coming out of the Liverpool camp ahead of Saturday morning’s game against Real Betis were extremely positive.

Curtis Jones raved about Slot and his playing style, while Dominik Szoboszlai noted that things are ‘different’ under the 45-year-old.

With Szoboszlai one of the players appearing to play a changed role during the 1-0 win, Slot has now explained the thinking behind how he set his team up at the Acrisure Stadium.

Arne Slot explains Liverpool tactics

There was real anticipation for Liverpool supporters on Saturday as they finally got to see what their new head coach has been cooking up since arriving at the club.

Immediately, it was evident that Slot was asking his Liverpool squad to do something slightly different than under Klopp.

The main, obvious change was that Szoboszlai was appearing as something like a double false nine alongside Harvey Elliott.

Without a recognised striker on the pitch, the two midfielders were the most advanced of any of the Liverpool XI.

READ MORE: Liverpool fans react to ‘special’ Trey Nyoni performance vs Real Betis

Asked about this during his post-match press conference, Slot explained that while this was the case against Betis, it was more a by-product of Liverpool having lots of attacking options still away.

“I think during the season you will see us play with a real striker,” he admitted. “But at this moment we have no-one available and then with Dom and Harvey we’ve got two No.10s, so we put them in the position they will play during the season as well.

“So that was one of the reasons why we played with a double 10 instead of with a striker,” Slot adds. “That is maybe out of necessity. But for the rest of the style of play with trying to build up from the back, that is our style – to control the game, to not concede constant counter-attacks.

“That will hopefully be our style during the season. There are also, of course, many things we can improve but that’s normal after two weeks.”

How did Liverpool look in their new formation?

So, Liverpool’s formation really boiled down to a 4-2-4, with Elliott and Szoboszlai playing in-front of Wataru Endo and Curtis Jones.

There were times when this really worked. In fact, that the only goal of the game came courtesy of Szoboszlai picking the ball up in his new position is evidence that there is method to it.

Aside from the goal, though, we’d argue that Liverpool did not look entirely comfortable.

Elliott and Endo struggled badly in their new roles and on this evidence, the Reds have better options in the deeper squad to come in instead.

Obviously, Liverpool will look better and better the more they learn what Slot wants from them. It is still very early days yet. We’re already looking forward to seeing further tweaks during Thursday’s clash with Arsenal.