When asked by BBC Sport what Arne Slot’s answer to Jurgen Klopp’s “heavy metal football” was, midfielder Harvey Elliott said it was an “elegant”, typically Dutch style.
Elliott, Curtis Jones and Jarell Quansah are among those to enjoy the more possession-heavy approach, featuring shorter passes and more interchanging of positions.
They will play out from the back and risk making mistakes but hope that a patient, meticulous build-up approach will ultimately reap rewards.
They will still press but with less intensity and when struggling against Arsenal they sat in effectively to ward off pressure. Could this approach lead to fewer injuries and less fatigue towards the end of the season?
It will be interesting to see whether Liverpool adapt to such a significant change in their previously unique and entertaining style, or whether certain players struggle.
As Liverpool legend John Barnes said on the US tour: “In many respects, it is more about the players adapting to the manager.
“It is probably going to be more difficult for the players than at other clubs with other managers, because Jurgen was here for eight or nine years and has been so instrumental in creating an identity for the football club.
“But the players are up for it and they seem to like it.”
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