A tactical puzzle: What is Arne Slot cooking at Liverpool?

In the past, the Merseyside club opted to build talent instead of buying any readymade product, but that has changed. Liverpool have signed Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen earlier in the summer, followed by the arrival of Wirtz, a generational talent.

Meanwhile, the Reds are closing in on the capture of Kerkez from Bournemouth to bolster their vulnerable left-back position. However, there is a subtle change in the profile of players that the Reds have targeted, according to the position.

Differences between successors and predecessors

Former Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold acted as a playmaker, dropping inwards in the past few seasons before his controversial departure. His successor, Frimpong, is a vastly different right-sided attacking player, with a proclivity to bombard forward with pace and directness.

The Dutch international has operated more as a right-wing back for Leverkusen under Xabi Alonso’s successful 3-4-2-1 formation in Germany. Frimpong prefers to influence the play in the latter stages of the buildup, instead of actively helping in the buildup.

The 24-year-old sticks at the wide position, dropping narrow in the final third only and constantly stretching the opposition’s defence. At the same time, the left-back position would operate in a similar fashion with Kerkez as an attack-minded wide fullback.

There is not a lot of difference between Robertson and Kerkez, as both are conventional left-backs with impressive attacking qualities. The Scotland captain has drastically regressed in recent seasons for Liverpool, as Slot intends to freshen things up at Liverpool.

There is an argument that Kerkez is more attack-minded than Robertson and prefers to stick to the wide areas consistently. The two fullback positions drastically change the style of play for Liverpool, and then there’s a matter of a certain German wizard.

Wirtz has enjoyed an incredible reputation in Europe for operating as one of the most exciting attacking playmakers.  While the German international preferred the role of a left attacking midfielder in Alonso’s 3-4-2-1 formation, he enjoyed more freedom.

The 22-year-old prefers to drop into the left wing whenever Alex Grimaldo goes narrower, interchanging their positions. Wirtz came deep to participate in the buildup and also moved to the right side whenever he desired. Unlike any midfielder at Liverpool, Wirtz is a traditional number 10 with far superior creativity and flair.

The free role played a crucial part in Alonso’s invincible 2023-24 season with Leverkusen, dominating the Bundesliga. These three signings have raised a lot of intriguing questions about what Slot is planning to implement next season.

Liverpool are not done in the transfer market, with many departures and arrivals expected throughout the summer. The Reds are persistently linked with a central forward, with the potential of both Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota leaving.

Liverpool showed vulnerability in the defensive phases, which cost them the cup competitions, something they have yet to address. This suspense brings up the question of what Slot plans to use as a first-choice tactical formation next season.

Slot’s trusty 4-2-3-1

Slot deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation during his time at Feyenoord, something he could still implement at Liverpool with variations. The Dutch coach deployed Lutsharel Geertruida as an inverted right-back in his last season with Feyenoord, something he could only accomplish with Conor Bradley.

However, Bradley prefers to mix things up and exploit the wide areas, often with his relentless drive. Slot could still use the formation by letting Ryan Gravenberch drop deep during the buildup, next to the defenders.

This would allow Virgil van Dijk and his centre-back partner to drop wide to dictate possession in the defensive third. The buildup style makes sense as it allows Kerkez and Frimpong, or Bradley, to bombard forward, instead of participating in the early buildup that is not their strong suit.

Mohamed Salah and the left-winger could drop inward with Wirtz operating as a number 10 behind the main striker. This leaves Alexis Mac Allister to play his role as a midfield conduit, along with Gravenberch and Wirtz.

A new style perhaps: 3-4-2-1

With the transfer window not yet done, Liverpool could use further signings to completely change the tactical dynamic of their play under Slot. Slot’s philosophy and style of play can easily transcend into different formations, according to the players’ strengths.

Liverpool faced a lot of problems last season against the teams that played more directly, and overpowered them in duels. The Reds also lacked the pace of their own to threaten teams like Paris Saint-Germain, making them second-guess how much they could commit to attacks.

Slot has solved the pace and directness issue with Frimpong and Kerkez, while the centre-forward target remains unknown for now. As for duels and physicality, the Dutchman could shift the formation to a three-man defence to build a better defence.

Someone like Alessandro Bastoni could be a marquee signing that will strengthen Liverpool considerably during the summer. A left-centre-back like him could allow Van Dijk to play centrally in a role he plays at the national level.

Bastoni is a perfect profile, and Inter Milan have financial problems that the Reds could exploit to get their target. The Italian international is crucial for Inter in their 3-4-2-1 formation, dropping at the left-back and midfield during the buildup.

This is an exciting time for Liverpool fans as Slot’s vision of his Liverpool team remains a suspense, but the signings so far depict a masterpiece.