'Completely different': Alexis Mac Allister names the Liverpool tactic Arne Slot overhauled when Klopp left
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Arne Slot’s arrival at Liverpool was always going to mean some elements of change for the Reds and Alexis Mac Allister has now offered a unique insight into just what the Dutchman is trying to implement.
Slot’s arrival couldn’t really have gone much better. The Reds sit top of the Premier League table and have dropped points in just two games all season.
With the final international break until March now nearly done, the test for Slot and Liverpool will be to maintain the level over the busy festive period and beyond.
- READ MORE: Arne Slot has already been proven right with two controversial decisions as Liverpool head coach
Slot has essentially tweaked things at Anfield since taking over from Jurgen Klopp. There has been no dramatic overhaul as such, and the Reds players look comfortable.
However, speaking about the exact tactical changes from Slot, Alexis Mac Allister has revealed that it’s still not being implemented 100% of the time.
Alexis Mac Allister reveals Arne Slot’s key tactical change at Liverpool
Speaking for Liverpool’s official website about the new era under Slot, Mac Allister has revealed the big tactical change Slot has made and admitted that a failure to implement the tactic cost them against Nottingham Forest.
"I think we're in that transitional period,” Mac Allister said.
"We were used to being very direct and perhaps played more long balls and nowadays with the new coach, the idea is completely different, and we are working on being more patient, to have longer periods in possession so that the games aren't as end-to-end so that we can dominate them.
"I think that was kind of the mistake we made in the Premier League game against Nottingham Forest, which cost us the match. But like I said, we are in a transitional period. Jürgen was here for eight years so it's not so easy to change that playing style but that's what we're working on, and I think we're doing it very well.”
Mac Allister though, believes that despite the change, Slot has fitted in nicely with the players very much enjoying his management.
"I think we've all been really happy with the arrival of Arne and we all know how much he knows about football, so for us it's great and we know that this is the journey we are on.
"I feel like there has been a big change, not just in terms of the managers, but in terms of the management team and the sporting director too. But to be honest, we are working really well.
Proof is in the pudding for Slot’s Liverpool as ball dominance becomes key
You really have to give credit to Arne Slot for coming into the club and not trying to reinvent the wheel immediately.
He’s methodically looked at this current Liverpool team and implemented just small ways of working for the team to adapt to while still maintaining an element of the Klopp era.
Indeed, we’ve seen over the years how Man City dominate the league by simply having the ball for most of the game and seeing teams off.
The stats show this season that Slot is putting a big emphasis on passing and keeping possession. Indeed, the Reds are only second to City in terms of passes per game and most passes overall, while the accuracy is above Arsenal as well.
| Liverpool | Manchester City | |
| Total passes | 5937 | 7057 |
| Passes per match | 539.73 | 641.55 |
| Pass accuracy | 86% | 91% |
| Big chances created | 33 | 26 |
| Goals per match | 1.91 | 2.00 |
Clearly, then, this is a tactic that Slot is well versed in and over a season, if maintained, it should pay dividends.
