Southampton is back in action after a long 10-day break almost. And what could be better on return than a massive compliment from opposition boss Arne Slot?
Don't you think it's been a world of ifs and buts for Southampton this season? All you can hear after a loss is maybe if this player wasn't injured or if the Saints held nerves a bit well and many such.
Still, there remains an underrated what-if that isn't discussed but that has hit Southampton's season badly.
It's what if boss Ivan Juric came in the role from the start of this season? Let me tell you why.
In just around two and a half months, Juric's playstyle has definitely impacted the Saints. Yet, the results feel far due to the poor mid-season managerial transition Southampton did.
After all, when was it last that the Saints received frequent praise from their opposition? Particularly, for their overperformed presence.
Still, if that sounded quite common, definitely this won't. Recently, Liverpool boss Arne Slot drew the Saints in parallels with European giants ahead of their Premier League clash.
But, what for? Well, it's that playstyle that Juric has been trying to implement at Southampton since his arrival.
Arne Slot acknowledges Southampton's playstyle ahead of matchday
As quoted by the Daily Echo, Slot said: “They are not playing as a team who is bottom of the league. They take a lot of risk, go man-to-man all over the pitch which is the same as Paris Saint-Germain does."
To note, that comes from the Reds boss after a lucky win against PSG the other day.
So does that mean Southampton will give Liverpool a close fight? The answer is maybe or maybe not. Had it been full-fledged more than 9 months of Juric playstyle at St. Mary's, we would have concluded better.
Still, one thing's for sure, Southampton isn't certain to lose yet. With the return of injured stars, a light of hope remains at the Saints camp.
Let's see if that fuels a positive result for them at Anfield.
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