Arne Slot: The Conscious One

Opening Words

In my previous article, I introduced my interpretation of how an Arne Slot Liverpool team looks without the ball and how it compares to that of Jurgen Klopp’s. After reflecting on the piece, I can somewhat summarise that the differences between the two managers mostly stem from the ways in which both managers interact with the dichotomy of proactivity and reactivity, aggressiveness and patience, courage and caution, and so on. With Slot coming out of the analysis as the more conscious one. I think the outcome of this piece will yield similar conclusions, as how a team sets up out-of-possession is informative of how they set up in-possession, obviously.

In this piece of writing, we will be focusing strictly on Arne Slot’s preferences in possession. With only brief references and comparisons to that of the great past. Further to this, there will not be much conversation on Liverpool’s attacking play once in the final third. The core of this piece is simple: analysing how effectively Liverpool reach the final third. The deep build up phase and the use of horizontal connectivity via the use of full-backs are the two main subsections that will guide this piece.

Deep Buildup — Space Creation

Let’s start with deep buildup, which refers to a passage of play initiated by the goalkeeper. During the deep buildup phase (ball starting from the GK), you will often see the buildup unit (defenders + central midfielders) somewhat disconnected from the rest of the team, with their last line (attackers) positioned as high as possible pinning the oppositions backline, preventing them from stepping up to back up the press. The objective of this tactic is to stretch the pitch vertically as much as possible to create more distance between the opposition’s lines of pressure, thus creating more space for the players to operate in during the buildup phase, this effect specifically occurs between the oppositions pressing unit and supportive unit. The most widely known proponent of this tactic is the infamous Roberto De Zerbi.

Shakthar Donetsk, under De Zerbi. Deep positioning taken to its extreme, we can see the chasm of space has been created, ready to be exploited if the opposition’s first line of pressure decides to press.

Initially led to a ball loss, however we can see here the vast amount of space created in between the lines, upon winning the ball back Liverpool immediately finds themselves in a position where they are able to run into the space due to the buildup unit positionally disconnecting themselves away from the attackers. We also see the benefits of having your midfielders arrive into the penalty area, the dynamism MacAllister provides in this attacking transition is valuable (pass and run forwards) even though he doesn’t reap the benefits.

Annotated diagram: An schematic example of how space may be created via the deep positioning of the build-up unit, Szoboszlai in the video example above is afforded the same luxury as no.7 and n.10 in this illustration, the option to arrive deeper to initiate dynamic situations or stay high to fight for 2nd balls if the team decides to go long.

The more space a team must cover when engaging in the press, the less effective the press will be. This is a part of the reason why we see teams often choose to activate their press once the ball gets circulated into the wide areas, as there is less space but also less angles for the opposition team to utilise to progress the ball. Another effect of deep positioning by the buildup unit is that it creates space for the higher midfielders to dynamically arrive at from their higher positions once the ball starts to be circulated. This use of dynamic arrivals (arriving into space, rather than standing in it) introduces a wide range of possibilities which quicken the tempo of the passage of play and create what we call ‘artificial transitions’:

· Half-turns — receiving the ball and immediately turning to escape pressure to carry the ball into space (think Ryan Gravernberch)

· Third-man combinations — a passing combination between 3 players that is typically used to gain access to a free player (a player in an advantageous position with time and space to execute a progressive action)

· 1–2s — a passing combination between 2 players that is typically used to create a situation where a player can exit a tight situation.

All these dynamic moves are made possible via the use of positioning (collective) and techno-tactical behaviours (individual) that entice the opposition towards the ball/away from their own 3rd. The space is created by the collective, then through the endeavours of the individual exploited.

Deep positioning by the buildup unit is important because it creates space. Space which can then be used to create fast, dynamic situations which can be used to progress into the opponents final third and create chances, to ultimately score.

An extreme and more direct example: We can see the negative orientation (facing their own goal) of Liverpool’s double pivot. Note Szoboszlai’s positioning and movements also. Space created behind Brentford’s pressing unit which gives way for a situation in which Liverpool are able to find themselves running at Brentford’s last line of defence and have a sustained pressure.

Tendencies, Behaviours, Intent, Formations

Now that we have discussed how space is created in the deep-buildup phase. We will start by listing the types of structures Slot uses once the ball is played forward from the goalkeeper, Slot seems to prefer the following buildup formations: 4–1, 4–2, 3–3 — the main caveat within these buildup formations is the willingness of the shape to expand or narrow in width via the use of the fullbacks and the insistence on maintaining numerical superiority around the ball wherever possible.

As this unit will always move across the pitch to the ball-side, quite extremely to ensure they are protected in the case of ball losses and to create space on the opposing side that can be exploited readily, I’m thinking of Trent Alexander Arnold and Virgil Van Djik, the duo who have made the most switches of play in the league. To further put this into context Trent has played the diagonal pass 10 times to Cody Gakpo (6 to Robertson), with Van Djik playing 7 switches to Mohammed Salah. The space is created by the collective, to then be exploited by the individual(s).

Now, when watching the individual players in an Arne Slot team (Van Djik being the most obvious example), there is always an intention to display techno-tactical behaviours which allow the team to progress the ball in a structured but artistic and dyanamic manner. Techno-tactical is a term that refers to specific technical actions executed by an individual player which allow the team to execute the tactical plan. Here are some examples:

· Pausing on the ball before completing next action (invites pressure from opponents, thus creating space higher up that can be exploited)

· Use of body orientation to manipulate direction opponents’ cover shadow. (facing body in one direction to entice oppositions press from a specific direction before passing in opposite direction, negative orientation)

· Studs on the ball to disguise direction of next action (more so goalkeeper but centre-backs perform this too, acts a disguise for direction of next action)

· Staggering of central midfielders on different vertical and horizontal lines to create a wide range of passingn angles to aid progression through the oppositions defensive structure

All the technical details described above are individual (micro) actions that are performed which influences how well the tactical (macro) plan is executed. If your defenders cannot perform any tricks to find a favourable angle to pass the ball forwards, what’s the point of deploying the tactic of overloading the centre of the pitch with players?

Micro and macro details are more evident in this example: negative orientation of midfielders & how that attracts the Brentford players, Alisson pausing on the ball long enough to create a situation for Van Djik to exploit space vacated by Damsgaard, closeness of Tsimikas to provide support for Van Djik due to proximity of Wissa. Decreased distance within buildup unit and increased distance from attacking unit creates space for a dummy by Diaz, lay-off/wall pass from Salah which gives Trent time and space to hit the diagonal to Gakpo.

These behaviours and tendencies are exhibited across the board from the various players within the buildup unit, which translate to a collective understanding within the unit of when to progress the ball or retain the ball. They are always happy to circulate possession if the free man further forward cannot be accessed — this shows a proactive approach; constantly trying to use techno-tactical behaviours to manipulate the opposition’s defensive block to progress but happy to recycle possession if the right conditions can’t be generated to find the free player.

Under Jurgen Klopp, there was a lack of emphasis on maintaining control when in possession, with the overarching philosophy centred around progressing the ball into the next zone, as quickly as possible and using a fundamentally chaotic-in-nature methodology — counter-pressing to control proceedings on the pitch.

Horizontal Connectivity & The Full-Backs.

This section will be used to discuss the positioning of the full backs within the buildup phase and how they help to not only nullify opposition pressure but to play through, over or around it via the use of horizontal connectivity.

To start the discourse here are some quotes from Arne Slot which does well to give us a summary of the benefits of relative full-back positioning:

“If the full-backs are all down the line and you can play the fullback then he’s very far away from some other players and it takes really long to get the ball over there”

“So, if you are playing closer to each other, then the ball goes faster from one foot to another and that gives less time to the opponent to defend”

Now, before we go on, we need to understand what horizontal connectivity is: often time you will see quick horizontal (sideways) passes across the backline. This coupled with dynamic movements from the to-be receiver to get themselves into position where they are receiving facing forwards and not side on (positive body orientation), the importance of this tactic is clear: you are able to pass the ball from side to side in an optimal manner in order to be able to fire passes through or around the opposition’s defensive block in the event that they haven’t been quick enough to shift their block across to prevent the progressive action so, in essence horizontal connectivity directly tests how well a defending team maintains horizontal compactness, which is measure of how well a team can move from side to side whilst maintaining an adequate distance from the ball (refer to my previous piece for a more detailed explanation on horizonal compactness). Now, let us finally discuss full backs.

To start with there are a number of factors that Slot looks to when deciding on how to position his full backs, I want to lock in on two factors for the next part of this discourse:

· Intensity of opposition pressure — when opposition pressure is high, we will often see the full-backs position themselves closer their respective centre-back partners to reduce the distance the ball has to travel, allowing the ball to go from player to player at a faster rate, making it harder for the opposition to effectively press for the ball. (around)

· Collective positioning of the team (are we tilted more towards the right or left?) — if the ball is being played on left side, you will often see Trent Alexander Arnold invert into midfield line to join Ryan Gravernberch as the 2ndpivot. This is to offer another horizontal passing option to exploit space created by shifting the opponent over to the ball side. (through)

· Direction of opposition pressure — Perhaps the most important aspect, how many players are the opposition committing to their first line of pressure? 2 players? 3? This obviously has implications as it wouldn’t be rational to have 4 players in your backline if the opposition is only committing 2 players in the high press.

Another benefit of the deep full-backs, whether narrow or wider is that it allows the opportunity for the diagonal pass. From a build-up POV (also in the final third) diagonal passes are most important when trying to generate situations where the midfielders are receiving the ball facing forwards/in a position where they can progress the ball.

Here we begin to see a more complex example, in the final third. The movement of Tsimikas onto the flanks opens the possibility of MacAllister dropping in as the auxiliary fullback (a rotation he often makes), which allows him to make the first-time diagonal pass into Gravernberch. The benefit of having an extra player deeper outside of the opposition’s block opens the vertical and diagonal pass forward, here we also see a micro principle: staggering of the positioning from the midfielders. which provides the angle for MacAllister’s pass.

Connor Bradley is lower, closer to Konate, notice the step from Bradley towards the ball. Diagonal lane into Gravernberch is opened and the pass is played. Gravernberch is then able to connect with Szoboszlai who combines to Salah to reach Everton’s final third with ease.

Closing:

To put this conversation to a prompt end, I want to draw the reader’s attention to a few details: Under Arne Slot Liverpool’s approach in build-up has been clear and repeatable, this is demonstrated on a team, group and individual level. Whether that be the deep positioning of the build-up unit creating space for the ball carrying prowess of Ryan Gravernberch or the use of horizontal connectivity enabling the full-backs to generate diagonal passing opportunities. Slot’s methods are intentional and effective.

We will do well to draw similarities to coaches such as Roberto De Zerbi, Pep Guardiola and of course Jurgen Klopp, to appreciate the universality and repeatability of his principles.

Perhaps in a future article we can explore how through of all these tactics & more, Liverpool have improved their efficiency across the different game-states, area I felt Liverpool struggled in under Klopp (I’ve written about this, here). There is a hybrid tendency in Slot’s approach that often sees him make tactical changes and substitutions that are specifically aimed at dictating the tempo of matches.

Upon reflecting on this piece, I find myself more satisfied with it compared to my analysis on Slot’s out-of-possession play. I suspect my bias towards Jurgen Klopp’s approach initially made it difficult to fully appreciate the nuances of Slot’s approach. I have a strong inclination that I may revisit that piece with a slightly different perspective.

Let us end by appreciating the half turn + carry move delivered by yours truly, Ryan Gravernberch.

Materials/Links:

· Deep fullback tactical theory: https://spielverlagerung.com/2020/08/05/tactical_theory_deep_fullback/

· Arne Slot on narrow fullbacks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UP7Q-zxFqNU

· Compactness tactical theory: https://spielverlagerung.com/2015/05/08/tactical-theory-compactness/