Tactics by Design
When the pre-match meeting goes well.
Arne Slot has a habit of repeating himself in press conferences. He’s almost developed into a bit of a meme as a result. Always talking about Paris Saint-Germain. Always referencing set-pieces. Always complaining about low blocks.
Indeed, he’s been criticised for highlighting how often opposition sides completely change their ways whenever Liverpool come to town. He clearly likes knowing what to expect.
Speaking around a week ago, the Dutchman said: “How many games have we played this season? Probably around 30. I think about 28 of my pre-match meetings I could just throw in the bin. I think only once or twice the team did what they did the 20 weeks before.”
Some supporters thought the above line was pretty damning. Indicative of poor analysis behind the scenes. But upon inspection of a few top Liverpool performances this season, perhaps we’re learning things about Slot.
There aren’t many sides who stick to their principles against the Reds. But Arsenal did, home and away. So did Real Madrid under Xabi Alonso. Inter Milan, too. Aston Villa. And now, we can add Marseille under Roberto De Zerbi to the list.
In fact, you could argue — with the exception of Manchester City at the Etihad — that Liverpool have been really competitive whenever Slot has benefited from the luxury of clarity before facing sides with fixed approaches.
You know what you’re getting with De Zerbi. An immaculate build-up game with an emphasis placed on flowing through the centre. Lots of press baiting. Lots of wall passes. Climbing the middle of the pitch like it’s a ladder.
It’s great to watch when it works. But it’s also relatively easy to prepare against when you think about it. It’s all about blocking the centre, and not falling for the trap of aimlessly pressing high.
Jürgen Klopp adopted a diamond shape without the ball whenever he faced the former Brighton and Hove Albion boss. That was his means of flooding the middle and stopping that progression. A sensible approach, and one that stemmed from knowing De Zerbi inside out.
Well, on Wednesday night, Slot installed his own defensive tactic. The pressing was careful. Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike focused on blocking passing lanes and managing space on the flanks.
But in midfield, Liverpool essentially adopted a man-marking scheme. Slot fielded four midfielders operating within a box of sorts. Florian Wirtz, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch.
The group of four players regularly interchanged positions when pressing Marseille, purely because of that desire to prevent De Zerbi’s men from building through the middle.
Watch the clip below. Follow Wirtz. Follow Gravenberch. Follow Mac Allister. If none of your teammates in the centre of the pitch are available, how exactly do you intent to build if De Zerbi is your coach?
