Liverpool star explains how Arne Slot has 'freed' him with tactical change

Liverpool fans have been delighted with Arne Slot's start as Reds boss this season.

Despite the challenge of replacing Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, the Dutch coach has hit the ground running on Merseyside, with his team currently five points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

Nine wins from 11 league games, alongside four wins from four in the UEFA Champions League, underlines the momentum behind Slot's start.

MORE: All the latest Liverpool news | Premier League schedule for 2024/25 | Latest Premier League top scorer rankings

However, despite being left with solid foundations by Klopp, Slot has added his own stamp on the team with a change in formation and playing style. 

A greater focus on control has been observed by Reds fans, with Liverpool enjoying more overall possession than their opponents, in eight of those 11 league outings.

Slot has also reshaped the Liverpool midfield, with Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister as a double pivot at the base of the engine room, in the majority of games.

Argentina international MacAllister spent a chunk of last season playing as a lone defensive midfielder but the 25-year-old has opened up on how the extra support has unlocked a new angle to his game.

"In terms of change, perhaps with Jurgen I played more as a lone holding midfielder. The position was very different. I was much more defensive than anything else", as per an interview with the Liverpool FC website.

"Now, given that we play with two defensive midfielders, I can be a little freer, and if we start with two sitting midfielders and one a little further forward, that changes things.

"When the ball goes out to the left-back, I can move further forward, and Ryan [Gravenberch] becomes the deeper player.

"The system has changed a little, but the main ideas are the same. I think perhaps the big change is having patience to have longer periods of possession and dominate games more as obviously that creates more chances."

Despite Mac Allister's comments on being more attacking this season, he is yet to score a Premier League goal - after netting five in 2023/24 - in his debut campaign at Anfield.

He is third in Slot's team for progressive passes in league action, with 47, and fourth for shot-creating actions, with 27.