As Liverpool prepares to defend their Premier League title, manager Arne Slot has emphasized the need for defensive improvements. Despite a successful previous season, Slot acknowledges that tightening up the defense is crucial for maintaining their competitiveness.
Slot's assessment comes after Liverpool's recent FA Community Shield match against Crystal Palace, where they conceded two goals. Although Liverpool twice took the lead, defensive lapses allowed Crystal Palace to equalize, eventually leading to a penalty shootout in which Crystal Palace emerged victorious.
"It's a bit [of] mixed feelings. If you look at our attacking play against a team who is so compact, it is maybe a bit better than last season," Slot told TNT Sports. "But on the other hand we conceded two goals, which we did against Bilbao and two more against Milan and that's something we need to do better." Liverpool have not kept a clean sheet in pre-season, conceding 10 times in five senior games – including four against AC Milan.
Concerns have been raised about Liverpool's defensive depth, particularly at centre-back. The sale of Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen, coupled with Joe Gomez's injury, has left Slot with limited options in that position. Former Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland has urged Slot to prioritize signing a central defender.
Slot's footballing philosophy demands excellence in all phases of the game. "If you want to win the league now, you have to be good in everything. You have to be good in transitions, in attack, in set plays, defensively, really strong in a high press, in a low block," he stated.
To address the defensive issues, Slot may consider several tactical adjustments. One potential change is shifting from the traditional 4-3-3 formation to a more controlled 4-2-3-1 setup. This formation aims to maintain possession and dictate the tempo of matches. Slot encourages his players to "kill them with the ball," emphasizing control and precision.
Another tactical adjustment involves defensive compactness, utilizing a 4-4-2 shape when defending. In this system, wingers drop deep to form a wider midfield line, allowing the fullbacks to stay deeper and maintain the backline's integrity. Slot also instructs his players to wait for the opposition's second pass after losing possession, allowing them to set up traps and control the pressing direction.
Liverpool have been active in the summer transfer window, bringing in players like Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez. Slot believes these additions will provide the team with extra weapons and tactical flexibility. He specifically highlighted Wirtz's creativity and Frimpong's speed as valuable assets.
These new signings could lead to a shift in Liverpool's attacking style, with a greater emphasis on central play and exploiting the area just outside the penalty box, known as Zone 14. Slot aims to flood this zone with central players, using quick, short passes to create scoring opportunities.
Despite the changes, Slot is keen on maintaining stability and building on the existing foundation. He recognizes the importance of experienced players like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, praising their professionalism and commitment.
Liverpool's pre-season preparations have included an innovative approach, with the team playing two matches against the same opponent in a single day. This strategy allows the coaching staff to assess player adaptability and test different tactical setups.
As Liverpool prepares for their Premier League title defense, the focus is on improving the defense while integrating new signings and refining the team's tactical approach. Slot's emphasis on all-round excellence and tactical flexibility could be key to Liverpool's success in the upcoming season.
