One year ago, Liverpool made one of the boldest decisions in modern football: naming Arne Slot as the successor to Jurgen Klopp.
After nearly a decade of passion, glory, and unforgettable memories under Klopp, the club announced Slot as his successor. For many, it marked the end of an era and the beginning of an uncertain new chapter.
Fans were emotional. Many were unsure, while some were openly sceptical. And who could blame them? Replacing Klopp wasn’t just a tactical challenge.
It was about filling a void of charisma, identity, and deep emotional connection. Arne Slot wasn’t just stepping into a job; he was stepping into a legacy.
He brought with him a quiet sense of purpose. Known for his tactical intelligence and attacking philosophy at Feyenoord, Slot was a coach with a clear vision.
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Tactical tweaks that brought control under Arne Slot’s Liverpool
With no major signings in the summer, he inherited a squad built for Klopp’s intense high-press style, and rather than disrupting the rhythm, he refined it.
He brought greater control to their game and added discipline while keeping the team’s attacking edge intact.
Under Slot, Liverpool’s pressing became more selective, the midfield played with structure, and transitional play was handled with greater care.
The results? Liverpool became more consistent, more balanced, and crucially, more available.
One standout factor behind this was injury management. Liverpool saw a 64.3% drop in injuries compared to the previous season — a remarkable achievement credited to the expertise of Ruben Peeters, the club’s first-team lead physical performance coach, and the wider medical staff. (via This is Anfield)
When asked earlier in the season if he thinks luck had been in Liverpool’s favour as injuries hit other teams, Slot brilliantly answered:
“If you think injuries are only luck or bad luck, then we’ve been lucky.
But we’ve tried to believe in the fact that we try to prevent them from a certain way of working. So that we don’t have many injuries, I don’t see that as luck.
I see this as, first of all, top professionals, our players do everything to stay fit.
Second of all, great facilities and great staff. You cannot go through a season without injuries, it is more the amount of injuries that you hopefully try to prevent.
It could be luck, but I hope that we do things in the right way that it is not only luck, but it is also doing things in the right way.”
This mindset and professionalism helped Liverpool maintain a healthier squad throughout the season, reducing disruptions and maintaining performance levels.
By the end of the season, Liverpool were crowned Premier League champions, with Slot becoming only the 5th manager in history to win the PL title in his very first season at the club.
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