Arne Slot Could Push Liverpool to ‘Huge Success’ With These Key Decisions – Opinion | OneFootball

Arne Slots Offensive Rotation Can Drive the Reds to Success

Following the weekend victory over the Premier League’s bottom placed club, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Liverpool were able to claim their current position at the top of the table, thus creating something potentially tremendous to hold onto. When the legendary pair of Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger left Manchester United and Arsenal, respectively, there was a chasm which was created within each historic footballing club that has taken years to overcome.

The giants of Old Trafford (despite some sporadic success since the 2013 retirement of Fergie) have been unable to come anywhere close to the team they once were and the famous Scot. The Gunners, however, have been somewhat resurgent under their current manager, Mikel Arteta, who despite spending in and around £700m during his tenure, has steadily built a team that could achieve ultimate success this season.

When Liverpool was looking for a successor to their legendary German manager, Jürgen Klopp, the new Sporting CEO, Michael Edwards, landed on the name that no one even considered an option. The appointment of the former Feyenoord manager, Arne Slot, was seen as a risky gamble, especially given the stature of his predecessor and expectations of the support. Those early trepidations have been brushed away in the months since, as within the opening stage of this 2024/25 campaign, the identity of the Merseyside giants has been one of control and coordination, one which is starting to feel like the perfect recipe for long term success.

Photo: IMAGO

Why Has Liverpool‘s Transition Been a Success When Others Failed in The Past?

Ultimately, though some of the Liverpool fanbase will sneer at the ownership model of FSG, there is no denying that their decision-making (since purchasing the club in 2010) has been largely impressive. The Boston based sporting financiers are astute and knowledgeable, whist still holding the ability to know when somebody else should be making vital decisions. As soon as their former manager handed in his resignation, the owners did not hesitate to lure back their former Sporting Director, Edwards, into a more prominent role.

The Southampton born executive was tasked with ensuring the pathway to sustained success, as well as find the right man to replace the beloved former Borussia Dortmund manager. Ultimately, a thorough analysis would have would been undertaken by various persons within the club, to source the right fit for the continuing regeneration and incoming transition. Being able to find the balance between the training ground success and matchday decision making, appears to be something that continues to allude the likes of Manchester United, whereas all signs point to a marvellous runway to imminent Anfield success.

What Is a Key Aspect of Attaining Success?

The key fundamentals of success remain unchanged, with the world class abilities of Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander Arnold, Alexis Mac Allister, and Mohamed Salah, all vital to pushing the clubs towards their objectives. Unfortunately for the illustrious reds, both Arsenal and Manchester City have similar ambitions, as well as the tools to build an equally competitive side. I believe that the margins for error are so small that for this ongoing campaign the attacking depth and prowess of the Liverpool squad, can be the difference between major honours and runners up medals.

Photo: IMAGO

Rotation of the attacking players appears to be more fluid (of late) under this new leadership, which will require three starting attacking pieces for any one game. Though the 4-2-3-1 system of play now utilises a no.10, I believe the on-ball efforts still carries three genuine forwards in the lineup beyond the midfield three. Those options for three positions are listed below, with Jayden Danns due to return at some point.

LF – Luis Díaz / Cody Gakpo

CF – Diogo Jota / Darwin Núñez

RF – Mohamed Salah / Federico Chiesa

Those six individuals represent the most exciting roster of attacking talent in the entirety of European football. The issue has often been finding the correct formula and rhythm for each starting trio, essentially in the days beyond that which once allowed the sensational and reliable pair Sadio Mané and Roberto Firmino. There is a now a balance and competitive edge to this new stable of assets, one which is igniting a fire within the Liverpool forward line. The defence and midfield lines are looking more solid and sustainable than the two years previous, therefore, I believe it can be the goal getting entities which could push the team over the line and beyond the stubborn low block enterprises.

This campaign is still new, yet the promise is already great. It will be interesting to see how the next few months unfold and how ruthlessly efficient the strikers could become.