Video Analysis: Liverpool draw with Palace offers clues on Slot’s tactical direction | OneFootball

Slot’s Tactical Vision Starts With the Fullbacks

Arne Slot’s Liverpool drew 1-1 with Crystal Palace in the final game of the season, but the result was merely a backdrop to a wider story. For fans of tactical evolution, the match was an open page of notes from the new era. As analysed by Panenka LFC, this wasn’t just a match — it was a blueprint.

Deep Fullbacks and Static Width Spark Concern

From the opening whistle, Liverpool imposed themselves territorially. “We controlled possession, had an 81% field tilt,” the host noted. “We spent most of the match in Palace’s half.” Yet, dominance did not translate into control where it counted — the final third.

The key flaw? “Our usual buildup shape has the fullbacks sitting deep and narrow,” they said. But against a back five, this meant Connor Bradley and Andy Robertson “didn’t get the chance to time their runs into the half space properly.”

Even when attacking transitions were triggered, positioning limited options. “Bradley was far from offering a passing option into the pockets,” leading to predictable passages of play. With no variation and no box threat, Palace found it far too comfortable to double up on Liverpool’s wide players and kill attacking momentum.

Fullbacks Push On But Movement Still Lacks

In isolated moments when Liverpool tried a higher press, the same issue flipped. “Both fullbacks were too static and at times even too high to make those kinds of runs.” Instead of progressive overlaps or diagonal bursts, movement from the flanks often stalled, feeding Palace’s compact defensive structure.

Luis Diaz operating as a false nine was no remedy. “He spent most of his time in the left half space… but didn’t really link up play quickly or time his switches well.” With no physical striker to pin the centre backs, and no box presence, Liverpool were ineffective against the low block. “It’s not a new issue,” the analysis reminded. “We saw the same problem in the EFL Cup… we lacked a proper box threat.”

Gravenberch Role Hints at Slot’s Tactical Flexibility

Despite the frustrations, there were clear signs of what Slot is trying to implement tactically, particularly in positional rotations. “Notice how Gravenberch drops into the backline with Konate shifting wider and almost acting as a right back,” the channel highlighted. This movement unlocked the fullback, allowing Bradley to “bomb forward without leaving the backline exposed.”

In another phase, “Szoboszlai dropped deeper instead… giving Bradley even more licence to push higher.” These patterns speak to a system that allows for attacking fullbacks like Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez to function, without being tactical liabilities.

The idea is clear: intelligent midfield rotation to shield wide overloads while exploiting positional width. “These kinds of positional rotations… are something we’ll likely see a lot more of next season,” the analysis predicted. For a manager like Slot, whose vision is defined by flexible structure rather than chaos, it’s not about flooding zones, but coordinating who occupies them.

Transfers Will Define Fullback Integration

None of these systems exist in a vacuum. The podcast pointed out the need for clarity in recruitment. “We still haven’t heard any real rumours linking us with a new number nine,” they said. That matters when so much hinges on balance in the box.

There’s also the suggestion that “having a player of WZ’s quality in that zone could be absolutely devastating.” That’s a nod to Florian Wirtz, and whether his inclusion would reshape the roles of the fullbacks again.

The closing sentiment on Panenka LFC framed it perfectly: “We’ve won the title, but the real question is what’s next?” That answer, it seems, is tied up in Slot’s tactical vision — one defined by how far forward Liverpool’s fullbacks can go without dragging everything else back.