Liverpool boss Arne Slot gave a transparent breakdown on how his aspect pulled aside Manchester United of their 3-0 win on Sunday.
The guests celebrated a convincing victory over their arch rivals at Previous Trafford because of a double from Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah’s strike.
Afterwards, Slot defined to Sky Sports activities how they did it. Right here we dissect his evaluation…
Press excessive
It was a trait underneath Jurgen Klopp and will probably be a trait underneath Slot. Regardless of the opposition, wherever the sport is performed, Liverpool will attempt to press excessive and win the ball as near their opponents’ aim as they will.
“We always want to press high. That’s what Jurgen did. That’s what we try to continue,” stated Slot. “And we scored a few goals from a high press – [including] one disallowed.”
Certainly, all three Liverpool targets and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s dominated out effort got here from turnovers, with Liverpool profitable possession within the closing third seven instances in comparison with Man Utd’s three.
Throughout the primary three rounds of Premier League motion, Liverpool have made extra pressures within the closing third than every other aspect.
It’s front-foot soccer underneath Slot.
Expose Man Utd’s excessive full-backs
Roy Keane was important of Man Utd’s full-backs pushing too far forwards at instances and Slot stated he knew Liverpool would have possibilities with the way in which United’s full-backs had been positioned.
“Their full-backs are sometimes really high and then Casemiro comes in between [the centre-backs],” defined Slot. “So if you pick the ball and you keep Luis Diaz and Mo Salah high you’re constantly in a one-v-one situation.”
Diaz has been electrical with the ball at his ft thus far this season, including 4 extra dribbles tried to his tally after totals of 5 towards Ipswich and three towards Brentford. Nevertheless, Salah took on these one-on-one alternatives with actual verve at Previous Trafford, he doubled his tally of tried dribbles in every of the primary two video games together with his 4 right here.
Run arduous and combat arduous in midfield
To drive these turnovers, Liverpool wanted excessive vitality and depth in the midst of the park. They obtained simply that from Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister, who every ran over 11km, with Szoboszlai topping the dash stats.
That trio, led by Szoboszlai, had been to the fore within the possession-won rankings too.
“You need midfielders that can run and we had three of them today that kept on running, and if you arrive in a duel they are aggressive enough to win it,” stated Slot. “That was one of the main things why we could win today.”
Forwards chase again to assist
That midfield was supported by backtracking forwards. Requested whether or not it was a raffle to depart Diaz and Salah excessive, Slot stated: “It’s only a gamble if they play through or over… but if [Diaz and Salah] then sprint back it’s not a gamble.
“At present we noticed lots of moments the place our complete crew, however particularly our forwards, monitor again so aggressively and that’s what we want if you wish to win these video games. If you happen to do not the defenders are available underload, that is not what you need in the event you play towards these gamers as a result of Man Utd have lots of high quality.”
Diaz and Salah each recorded tackles and interceptions, whereas Salah additionally made a clearance. Subs Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez continued the method, with a sort out and clearance every too.
Szoboszlai’s tweaked position
A refined change on the ball? “In the last two games Dominik Szoboszlai played from the right, today we played him from the left,” stated Slot.
The swap was evident in Szoboszlai’s heatmap – and the midfielder topped the chance-creation stats, carving out three alternatives from open play.
Keep excessive requirements
Whereas United had been sloppy on the ball, Slot demanded extra from his aspect at half-time to ensure they didn’t make such expensive errors.
Talking about his half-time team-talk, Slot stated: “We confirmed them three moments the place in a single scenario that led to an opportunity of Noussair Mazraoui when Lucho [Diaz] was not monitoring again as he ought to and the second the place Trent [Alexander-Arnold] performed a sloppy cross in the direction of Alisson.
“Those moments can change a game here at Old Trafford so you need to be focused and concentrated every second if you want to win here.”
With the mixture of high quality, Slot’s techniques, Man Utd’s errors and people excessive requirements Slot is driving, Liverpool secured that precious win – and their followers will now hope it may be a launchpad for a season of success.