Jamie Carragher uncovers tactic he'd “never seen before” from Liverpool manager Arne Slot during win over Ipswich
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has been left baffled by the new tactics implemented under new boss Arne Slot.
He Dutch He oversaw his side's 2-0 win at Ipswich on Saturday to get his reign off to the best possible start.
Liverpool He took advantage of a tired Ipswich side with quick strikes in the second half. Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah handed the Reds three valuable points.
But eagle-eyed fans may have noticed a particular style of build-up play never before seen at Anfield, or for that matter, in the Premier League.
Slot's method saw his defenders try to draw Ipswich's pressure before attempting to play around them in tight areas.
Liverpool's defenders opted not to use width and instead play more centrally in a move that some may consider risky.
In one clip, left-back Andy Robertson can be seen running behind the centre-back. Virgil van Dijk receiving the ball instead of adopting a more conventional wide position, leaving goalkeeper Alisson completely out of the build-up to the play.
The tactic did not escape the attention of Carragher and his Sky Sports colleague. Gary Nevillewho highlighted it during a segment on Monday Night Football.
“I think the natural thing here, as the ball is going out the back, considering Ipswich are playing with four forwards to press, would be for Andy Robertson to come in here[on the wing],” Carragher said.
“But what's really interesting is to see where he goes to receive the ball and help Virgil van Dijk.
“It's something I've never seen before. Going behind it! Hopefully we'll understand it at some point.”
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Neville, former right back of Manchester United And England seemed baffled by Liverpool's new approach.
“I'm amazed by these players and how teams play out from the back,” Neville added.
“But I'm wondering, what's the benefit you're trying to find there? What's the advantage? You've got Alisson there, who can do exactly that same job.
“Why did Arne Slot tell Robertson to run behind Van Dijk into the space where Alisson can do that job? What advantage did he see in that for his team?”
Both experts questioned by Liverpool did not take advantage of the space given to the full-backs Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold – particularly after the success they achieved under Jurgen Klopp.
Carragher said: “Any manager I've played under would have told me to come out here (to the wing).
“Stretch out the Ipswich front four who are trying to press you. Open them up and you can get out and get forward.
“Arne Slot likes to play in the middle.”
Questions may have been asked about Slot's tactics, but there was a sense of well-being surrounding Liverpool's impressive start to the campaign.
Slot will have bigger tests in the coming weeks with a trip to Old Trafford on the horizon, but first up for the Dutchman is the visit of Brentford on Sunday in his first home game as Liverpool manager.
