If the secret to helping Arne Slot successfully in the first season in the Premier League is the evolution from the Jurgen Klopp era, this season a revolution with a series of rookies is planned to protect the throne for Liverpool.
The champion does not stand still
With wise adjustments, tactical changes in the match and an extraordinary personal season of Mohamed Salah, Slot has surpassed the expectation when helping Liverpool win the Premier League 2024/25. This makes the overhaul of this summer become attractive.
There is a saying: “You should strengthen the strength when you are at the peak. Don't just look at the scenery from the top of the mountain, plan immediately to continue conquering and doing better next time.”
But it is rare for any Premier League champion to restructure comprehensively like the current Liverpool. Nearly 300 million pounds were spent. The typical contract is Florian Wirtz, who is expected to play a key role in the attack. But Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez are the two factors that will change the way to play on the wings.
That will lead to an impact on the central defense, the role of Ryan Gravenberch in the middle of the pitch, and the position of Mohamed Salah. In addition, Hugo Ekitike may be the one who connects everything together.
The leader of the Anfield team admitted that the 2024/25 champion needs to be refreshed. But in fact, Slot's second season will be a big turning point, not just a few small changes.
Kerkez and Frimpong play high and wide
The departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold is the main factor that creates a change. On the left wing, Kerkez seemed to be Robertson's perfect successor, similar to the image of the Scottish star of the peak of the peak: up to the continuous defense, the husband, cut into the middle, return the ball backward or stretched.
Frimpong is completely different from Alexander-Arnold. He used to kick in the right wing position in the diagram of 3 central defenders of Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen, with the task of penetrating the penalty area.
While Trent often crossed the ball from afar, Frimpong himself entered the penalty area to create a danger. Expect Kerkez and Frimpong will play very high and wide when Liverpool attacks.
The wing strikers are inward
When Kerkez and Frimpong rise to occupy the marginal space, Wirtz (left) and Salah (right) will have space to bundle into the middle, using favorable legs to finish or launch a decision pass. It was Salah's familiar play, but Wirtz also caused great damage in this way at Leverkusen.
Wirtz is a very versatile player. He led the Bundesliga in the ball, created opportunities and won the ball in the opponent's yard. But the free role from the left wing is the position that he is most dangerous. Alonso took advantage of that and it could also be a Slot plan, especially when Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo's future were not sure.
Salah, who won the title of Best Player in the Premier League and the top scorer last season, is being arranged in the system that tends to enhance the ability to score rather than the volume of moving. Last season, Salah himself revealed that Slot has reduced for him to defend. And this trend may continue.
Ekitike connects the system
The sudden departure of Diogo Jota is definitely a wound in the hearts of fans when talking about Liverpool attack. The Portuguese player played 37 matches last season and played an important role in the way of playing the Red Brigade.
Rookie Hugo Ekitike is expected to become an ideal piece to link the Liverpool squad in the same attack situations as the way JOTA has done before.
1m91 tall, but Ekitike is not a striker who only knows how to make walls. He actively moved, stretched the defense or backed deep to connect, opening up opportunities for Salah and Wirtz to exploit the gap behind.
Slot hopes that Ekitike will combine teamwork with goalscoring instincts, especially when he has just experienced the best season with 15 goals in the Bundesliga and the most shot.
The midfield supports the defense when losing the ball
All of these attacking ideas need support from the rear midfield. Gravenberch has repeatedly backed down between the two central defenses to form a trio when deploying the ball, and also moved to fill the right -back position when Frimpong rises.
That role is likely to continue this season. Liverpool will also need Konate's ability to read the situation and Van Dijk's experience to stabilize the squad.
Mac Allister and Szoboszlai will continue to be a key factor whether in the role of two numbers 8 in front of Gravenberch, or one person backing up to form a midfielder, the other rise as a 10 support Ekitike. In addition, Conor Bradley and Curtis Jones are also ready to battle when needed.
With the ambition to compete for titles in all competitions next season, Slot will need all players who are ready to fight. In particular, the rookies will change his strategy to lift Liverpool to a new level.
