Arne Slot has dismissed the possibility of a major tactical overhaul at Liverpool, citing a lack of available defenders and insufficient training time as key constraints. The Dutch manager's comments come amidst a concerning slump in form for the reigning Premier League champions, who currently sit 12th in the table with a record of 6 wins, 6 losses, and no draws.
Slot, who guided Liverpool to their second Premier League title last season, has faced increasing pressure following a string of poor results, including a recent 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest and a 4-1 thrashing by PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League. The team has lost eight of their last 11 games, a stark contrast to their strong start to the season where they won the first seven games.
Despite the growing concerns, Slot insists that dramatic changes are not feasible given the current circumstances. "I don't even have five defenders," he stated, highlighting the limitations imposed by injuries and squad composition. He also emphasized that the team is best suited to his current system and that there is limited time to implement significant changes on the training ground.
Since succeeding Jurgen Klopp, Slot has attempted to implement his own tactical vision, experimenting with formations such as 3-4-3 and 4-2-3-1 in addition to the traditional 4-3-3. However, these changes have not yet yielded the desired results, and Liverpool's defense has been a particular area of concern. The team has already conceded nine goals from set-pieces this season, matching their total from the entire previous campaign.
While Slot is open to making minor adjustments to address specific issues, he remains committed to his overall philosophy. He acknowledged the need to improve the team's standards but refrained from singling out individual players for blame. "Although I do agree that our standards, the team, have not been at the standard we're used to," Slot said. "We think we can play better than we do. The focus is on the team, not the individuals".
Looking ahead, Slot faces a challenging task in turning Liverpool's fortunes around. The team's next match is against West Ham United, and Slot will be hoping for a positive response from his players. However, with limited options and a packed schedule, the manager will need to find solutions within the existing framework.
The absence of key players such as Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz due to injury further complicates matters for Slot. The manager will need to rely on the depth of his squad and find ways to maximize the potential of the available players.
Despite the current struggles, Slot remains confident in his ability to guide Liverpool back to success. He acknowledged the pressure that comes with managing a top club but insisted that he is focused on finding solutions and improving the team's performances. "A lot of pressure if you work at a top club, even more so if you lose more than this club is used to," Slot said.
