2 months ago
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Perhaps Arne Slot was secretly relieved he didn’t have to face the media on Tuesday ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League encounter against Eintracht Frankfurt.
A technical issue with the team’s aircraft delayed its departure to Germany, meaning the head coach could not conduct his usual media briefing before the game. It may have saved him from the most uncomfortable questions of his Liverpool tenure thus far.
The reaction on social media to Sunday’s loss against Manchester United was volatile. Perhaps that shouldn’t come as a surprise, but the level of finger-pointing directed at Slot felt beyond harsh, with his decision-making, both professionally and in his private life, and post-match comments severely scrutinized.
He needed a statement performance in Frankfurt to quell that negativity and avoid Liverpool’s first run of five consecutive defeats since 1953.
Thankfully, that’s exactly what the Reds delivered, with a 5-1 Champions League victory providing the best display of the campaign to date by some distance. Liverpool dominated possession, afforded the opposition fewer opportunities to attack, was clinical in front of goal, and even managed to net twice from set-pieces, an area of the team’s performance that has frustrated Slot this season.
And while some defensive naivety from Frankfurt certainly helped Liverpool, its supremacy was only made possible by several inspired changes from Slot.
The Dutchman doesn’t make decisions without carefully considering the possible outcomes, and isn't swayed by outside noise. However, Slot agreed with many online calls that it was time for Mohamed Salah to be omitted from the side.
The Egyptian has often proved more of a hindrance than a help this season, and, as Slot referenced pre-match, Liverpool looked better on Sunday against United when Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike were introduced.
They were two of the five changes to the midweek line-up, with the underwhelming Milos Kerkez and Alexis Mac Allister replaced by Andy Robertson and Curtis Jones.
Meanwhile, without the defensively astute Ryan Gravenberch, Slot was forced to find an alternative midfield set-up. His solution was a two-man partnership of Jones and Domink Szoboszlai in the center, which ironically brought more control than the three-man midfield that has typically been deployed this season.
Slot set his side up to be less expansive; there were fewer gaps between players and surging runs from midfield were less frequent.
For the first time in his Liverpool career, Slot used a fluid 4-4-2 formation, pairing Ekitike and Alexander Isak together — another first for the Reds.
But Florian Wirtz's role was at the heart of the team’s success. Starting on the right wing, he routinely drifted inside, popping up all over the pitch and displaying a deftness on the ball that Liverpool supporters hope to see on a regular basis.
Back in Germany, this was by far Wirtz’s best performance in a red shirt. Along with Szoboszlai and Jones, he was imperative to the visitors’ ability to retain possession and control.
That Wirtz’s improved levels came while Salah was sat looking dejected on the bench should not be underestimated. Did his absence give the 22-year-old the platform to shine?
Regardless, two assists — his first since August’s Community Shield — will be a welcome boost for the midfielder. Robertson also set up a goal with his defense-splitting pass to Ekitike for Liverpool’s opening goal, while Szoboszlai contributed a goal and an assist in the revamped midfield.
Every facet of the new system worked perfectly. Whether this was a rare experiment or a first taste of the newly evolved Liverpool will be proven in time, but the performance provided real food for thought.
It should also alleviate any pressure on Slot, who deserves immense credit for his brave team selection in Germany.
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