Balance the key to Liverpool's success under Slot

Arne Slot has brought defensive steeliness to Liverpool, but not at the expense of their attacking thrust.

Photo: IMAGO | Anfield Index

Had you asked Liverpool fans last summer what they would most like to see Arne Slot bring to their team, then solidity would surely have been it.

The Reds had just completed a campaign that saw Jurgen Klopp once again lean on his heavy metal instincts, bringing about a memorable League Cup win and Premier League title challenge as a result.

But the fact that success in the latter competition evaded the German seemed to owe much to this aggressive approach finally catching up with his team in the latter weeks of the season.

There has been a tendency to overstate the Reds’ defensive issues last term, with that 4-3 comeback win over Fulham an exception rather than the rule.

However, their underlying numbers always hinted at a slight defensive overperformance, and the reversion to the mean came about in harsh fashion in April and May.

In the end, the team that conceded the third most goals and the third most expected goals ended the season in third place.

This time, though, Slot looks set to deliver that coveted league title, and it is all thanks to him turning Liverpool into one of the meanest sides in the division.

In fact, they remain almost underrated in this aspect given there are few comparisons to an Arsenal side who are still widely regarded as the defensive benchmark.