Liverpool are still basking in the warm glow of a positive start to their Premier League campaign.
The Reds had always been expected to beat Ipswich on Saturday, but it still looked like a tricky way to kick off the season.
In many ways, that’s how the script played out. A difficult first-half gave way to a rampant second in which Liverpool could have scored five.
Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna raved about the Reds after the game, but Liverpool head coach Arne Slot was slightly less enthusiastic.
The Dutchman was clearly happy with the three points but is still very much trying to get his tactical ideas across to the Liverpool squad. Ever the eagle-eyed observer, former Reds centre-back Jamie Carragher noticed one tactical change he’s keen to ask Slot about.
Jamie Carragher notices ‘really interesting’ Arne Slot tactic
Liverpool supporters are by now getting used to the little tweaks that Slot and his coaching staff have brought to the team.
Having watched through an impressive pre-season, fans got their first taste of ‘Slot ball’ in full effect in the Premier League during the second-half at Portman Road.
The Reds were brilliant at times and new ideas such as Ryan Gravenberch playing in the number six role started to bear fruit.
Aside from the obvious switches, though, there were some subtle changes that only the most observant of supporters will have noticed.
As a pundit for Sky Sports, it’s Carragher’s job to be one of those watching on with a magnifying glass. And speaking on Monday Night Football, the 46-year-old said he’s spotted something ‘really interesting’ with Andy Robertson.
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Highlighting a portion of play from the first-half when Virgil van Dijk had the ball just outside the Liverpool penalty area, Carragher was slightly baffled at seeing Robertson run to Van Dijk’s right to receive the pass.
“What’s really interesting is to watch where Andy Robertson goes to receive the ball to help Virgil van Dijk,” says the Liverpool legend. “Things I’d never really seen before, going around the back of him. Hopefully we’ll understand why at some stage.
“This is new to us, I’ll ask Arne Slot, I’m hopefully interviewing him before next weekend’s game against Brentford,” Carragher adds.
“He definitely likes to use the centre of the pitch, not just with defenders but midfield players, he’s always got numbers centrally. I’m sure we’ll get to the bottom of it but Robertson did that which I found very interesting.”
Andy Robertson set for key Liverpool role
This was only a little segment of play from Saturday’s win, but it was worth pointing out from Carragher.
The former centre-back doesn’t mince his words and you can be sure that he will look for the answer when he gets chance to sit down with Slot.
What it does clearly highlight, though, is that the Reds head coach has a specific role in mind for Robertson in his back line.
It was interesting to note that despite barely playing in pre-season, Robertson was straight into the team against Ipswich. Slot obviously likes what he’s seen from the Scotsman in the short time they’ve worked at the AXA Training Centre together.
Don’t be surprised to see a bit more of this from Robertson in the coming weeks. But we also wouldn’t be holding our breath for Slot to reveal the secret behind this tactic when Carragher comes calling.
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