How two Arne Slot moves and a new formation might affect Liverpool’s lineup for the upcoming season

How two Arne Slot moves and a new formation might affect Liverpool’s lineup for the upcoming season

Liverpool and several Feyenoord players are being connected. Should Arne Slot take over for Jürgen Klopp as anticipated, two in particular could assist him in implementing a formation shift.

A time of significant transition is about to begin for Liverpool. This summer will see a number of important positions at the club change hands. Although the Reds should contend in 2024–2025, there is good reason to be curious about how things will be different the following season.

After nearly nine years in charge, Jürgen Klopp’s departure from the dugout will be the most noticeable change. Although it hasn’t been confirmed, Feyenoord manager Arne Slot appears to be the most likely candidate to succeed him.

The 45-year-old will not be in control of transfers; instead, returning Michael Edwards will likely assist new sporting director Richard Hughes in that role. Nevertheless, as the summer transfer speculation mill heats up, Liverpool is unavoidably linked to a number of Slot’s present players. There are two who could facilitate Klopp’s successor’s move more easily.

For the most of Klopp’s tenure, the Reds have maintained a 4-3-3 system, and Slot has regularly employed the same tactical scheme in 2023–2024. He has, however, also used a 4-2-3-1 formation with his players, and he may do so with Liverpool in the upcoming season.

The roles in the current squad may be filled with ease, and some players would even benefit from it. However, transfers can open up some intriguing opportunities.

Lutsharel Geertruida is the Feyenoord player most heavily linked to a move to Anfield. He attended the Reds’ most recent 2-2 draw with West Ham and, just for good measure, mixed in with the Liverpool supporters. He has led Slot’s team nine times this season in a 4-2-3-1 configuration, recording six victories and two draws, according to FBRef. The lone loss also happened against Celtic in a Champions League dead rubber.

Although Geertruida is a versatile player, he has started 31 of his 43 games this season at right back. Trent Alexander-Arnold may go into midfield if he played there for Liverpool, battling against Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley to a lesser extent.

The Reds’ number 66 would be playing in parts of the pitch that he already frequents while inverting from full-back in a double pivot at the base of the 4-2-3-1 formation. However, it would probably take some time for Alexander-Arnold to develop into a competent midfield player. That shift would be less difficult if he had a proven number six at his side.

Let’s introduce Mats Wieffer, the 24-year-old defensive midfielder for Feyenoord. According to Liverpool Echo, he was connected to Liverpool last summer, long before Klopp declared his departure from the team or that Slot would take his place.

The rumours about Wieffer have persisted, and he or Wataru Endō might play with Trent in the Reds’ revamped midfield. There would also be some time spent with the returning Stefan Bajčetić.

Alexis Mac Allister would therefore be able to play farther forward, where he has frequently produced his greatest work, thanks to the arrival of Wieffer. Behind a centre spearhead, he could support a pair of wide strikers, or players like Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones may be effective in those positions.

Most of these improvements can be achieved without the aid of Wieffer or Geertruida. However, their knowledge with Slot’s system would make the transition smoother, and that might be invaluable during Liverpool’s turbulent summer.

Proposed lineup (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Mac Allister, Díaz, Jota, Salah, Alexander-Arnold, Wieffer; Geertruida, Konaté, van Dijk, Robertson.