Arne Slot on Liverpool vs Real Betis: ‘The style of play will probably feel quite familiar’

The dawn of a new era at Liverpool FC is upon us, with Arne Slot stepping into Jurgen Klopp’s formidable shoes. After almost a decade of Klopp’s tenure, Slot aims to bring his own touch to the Reds, whilst retaining the essence of what made Liverpool a force in football. As Liverpool FC prepare to face Real Betis in their pre-season opener, fans are eager to see how Slot’s Liverpool 2.0 will take shape.

New Liverpool manager Arne Slot has assured fans that his approach will initially bear a strong resemblance to the style favoured by Klopp. “A lot of things will remain the same when it comes to the style of play,” Slot said. “Of course there will be some adjustments because every manager has his own ideas, but the general style of play will probably feel quite familiar to you.”

Slot’s philosophy appears to respect the successful structure established by his predecessor, while also injecting new ideas. He emphasises the need for players to readjust after the break, stating: “Every player, especially if they’ve had a few weeks off, needs to adapt to playing with the ball again. Taking that into account, I think we’ve made some progress compared to where we started.”

Liverpool FC’s pre-season tour of the US is set to kick off with a match against La Liga side Real Betis at the Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. This game marks the beginning of Slot’s practical implementation of his strategies on the pitch. The team’s performance in these matches will give an insight into the tactical adjustments and tweaks made under Slot’s guidance.

Slot was impressed by the team’s commitment and enthusiasm during the training sessions. “I’m really happy with the energy the team is giving every day,” he said. “We’re looking forward to tomorrow’s game to see if we can bring some positives.”

This summer has yet to see Liverpool make any significant signings, which has been a point of concern for some fans. However, Slot remains confident that the club will secure the right additions. “If you inherit a squad that is really good, then it’s not so easy to find players who are of the same standard, or even higher – especially as those need to be available as well,” he explained.

He credited Richard Hughes for his tireless efforts in scouting and negotiations, noting, “Richard (Hughes), more than me, is really working hard on it and he keeps me updated. We’ve got a very good squad already. I’m already very happy with it. But it would be a surprise to all of us, I think, if we don’t bring any players in, so that’s probably going to happen in the end.”

As Liverpool embark on this new chapter, Slot’s balance of maintaining tradition while implementing his vision will be crucial. Pre-season games will not only test the players’ adaptability to Slot’s methods, but will also provide the new manager with valuable insights into where further refinements are needed.

Slot’s Liverpool 2.0 promises a continuation of the high-energy, attacking football that fans have come to love, with the prospect of new signings adding to the excitement. The upcoming games in the US will be the first of many steps in this new journey, offering a preview of the season to come.