'I'm curious who told you' - Arne Slot DISMISSES reporter question over preferred formation | OneFootball

Arne Slot fired back at a reporter who suggested that he used a 4-2-3-1 formation during his time at Feyenoord as he attended his first Liverpool press conference.

The 45-year-old answered questions from journalists for the first time as new Liverpool head coach on Friday morning, alongside recently appointed sporting director Richard Hughes.

Slot also began pre-season training with the Reds, although only eight players were available to him. Mohamed Salah was a surprise absentee, but wantaway duo Caoimhin Kelleher and Sepp van den Berg were present at the AXA Training Centre.

The Dutchman spoke to media for over half-an-hour on and was very open and honest in his exchanges with reporters. However, there was one question he didn't quite agree with.

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ARNE SLOT REJECTS FEYENOORD FORMATION CLAIM

Asked about the 4-2-3-1 formation Slot used at his previous club Feyenoord, the new Liverpool boss suggested that he actually didn't use that tactical setup in Rotterdam.

"I’m a bit sad, maybe it’s not the right word, but I was hoping that if people look at my team they would not say it’s a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 or whatever formation you want to call it," replied Slot.

"I was hoping they would say ‘okay, there’s a lot of freedom when they have the ball to take it in different positions’. Sometimes it’s a 4-2-3-1, sometimes it’s a 4-1-4-1, sometimes we do build up with three.

Liverpool new Liverpool FC Head Coach Media Access Event New Liverpool FC Head Coach Arne Slot and Liverpool Sporting Director Richard Hughes, at the AXA Training Centre, Liverpool, United Kingdom on 5 July 2024. Editorial use only , Copyright: xIanxStephenx PSI-19931-0003

"So, I wouldn’t put myself in a situation where I say I prefer 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 or 4-1-4-1. There’s a lot of players taking in a lot of different positions. If you would have asked me I would have said we play 4-3-3 instead of 4-2-3-1 at Feyenoord.

"I’m curious who told you that we play 4-2-3-1, maybe that one should go to get his license! Or analyse a bit better."

It's worth pointing out that Slot was smiling when responding to this particular reporter's question, but it was interesting to hear a small insight into the 45-year-old's tactical vision.

Slot clearly wants his team to play with a level of fluidity and is not necessarily interested in specific formations, but more how his team play in and out of possession.

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