Arne Slot Pep Guardiola 2024-25
© IMAGO - Arne Slot Pep Guardiola 2024-25
Liverpool and Man City tend to put on a good show when they come up against each other, whether it be in the Premier League, Champions League or elsewhere.
During Jurgen Klopp’s time at Anfield, his rivalry with Pep Guardiola resulted in high quality, tense matches, with each side throwing punches until one delivered a knockout blow.
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When Arne Slot took over, most people expected there to be a period of transition, where Liverpool wouldn’t challenge for the title as the players got used to a new boss and new tactical approach.
Instead, the Reds look better than ever, and Slot showed against Man City that these games aren’t always super close as his side dominated and were in control for most of the 90 minutes.
Slot has been at pains to emphasise that he has only tweaked elements of how Liverpool played under Klopp, rather than come in and completely changed everything.
Liverpool now play a little bit slower and aren’t quite as aggressive in their press, but still maintain the ability to conduct quick counter attacks and blow teams away.
The Man City game is a perfect example of how Slot’s side have evolved this season. In the opening 20 minutes, they pushed City back and didn’t allow them any time on the ball in a very Kloppesque start to the game. After half-time they were content to sit in and allow City to pass the ball around, before regaining control and drawing City onto them - an approach that led to the penalty which cemented the win.
But it was how Slot targeted one City player that shows Liverpool have known exactly where Man City’s achilles heel has been all along.
Kyle Walker’s defensive issues
Kyle Walker has come under severe criticism during City’s horrendous run of seven games without a win.
During his career, the England fullback has been renowned for his speed and ability to stop counter attacks and defend large spaces - something Guardiola loves him for.
His inclusion in City’s side has been part of what allowed them to play with such a high line over the past decade, but he is now getting found out.
Tottenham’s Timo Werner flew past to assist the fourth goal in an embarrassing defeat at home, while he was also caught out of position constantly against Feyenoord as well.
Cody Gakpo Liverpool
© IMAGO - Gakpo took advantage of Kyle Walker's poor positioning to score.
And it was Walker who fell asleep at the back post to allow Cody Gakpo to get on the end of what was a ridiculous pass from Mo Salah to open the scoring for Liverpool at the weekend.
Walker actually performed relatively well against Gakpo in comparison to how badly he’s been playing recently, but all his good work was for nothing in the end as he made a mistake that ultimately cost his side the game.
Liverpool always target Walker
It’s not the first time we’ve seen Walker exploited by Liverpool.
In the 19/20 season, Liverpool beat Man City 3-1 at Anfield in November, with Sadio Mane getting the Reds’ third goal by sneaking in behind Walker at the back post, putting Klopp’s side 8 points clear at the top of the table.
That season, of course, Liverpool went on to win the league comfortably. With the win at the weekend, Slot’s side are now nine points ahead - a good omen, perhaps?
The same situation happened in the 2022 Community Shield, where Liverpool won 3-1. Andy Robertson was found by Salah at the back post with Walker in no mans land, and got the ball to Nunez who put the cherry on the cake and sealed the win.
It’s an area that Liverpool have target for years now, and one they successfully did so again this season.
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