The difference between Slot and Klopp at Liverpool

Arne Slot is off to a quick start as Liverpool manager. Despite the pressure of taking over from Liverpools most successful manager in recent years, he finds his side top of both the Premier League and Champions League as of December 2024.

So, how does the Dutchman differ from the manager he took over from?

Written by Jon Mackenzie and illustrated by Philippe Fenner

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[AtTheBridgePod]

One clearly has hair and a beard, the other doesn’t.

[iso]

Massive credit goes to Klopp for leaving such an unbelievable squad behind. They all get along with each other, on and off the pitch

[ManUtd-Gerrard]

Liverpool were a powerhouse last season but injuries & Klopp’s departure shook things up. Arne Slot however didn’t try to reinvent the wheel. Instead he made smart adjustments. Where Klopp thrived on high-intensity pressing & rapid transitions, Slot has introduced a more measured controlled style. Yet when the moment demands the team can still switch to full Klopp mode as seen when they chase quick goals. While Klopp brought Liverpool back to life with his emotional leadership in 2015, Slot’s calm & methodical approach feels perfect for this phase. Klopp’s passion drove incredible highs but it also came with periods of burnout. Slot in contrast avoids any drama. His focus on consistency & gradual improvement has steadied the ship even when challenges arise. The results are clear. Despite no major signings Liverpool are leading both EPL & UCL. Slot’s straightforward methods have removed the weight of expectation letting players focus on performing without the pressure of larger narratives. After years of thrilling chaotic football under Klopp, Slot’s more composed style might be exactly what Liverpool needed. By building on the intensity Klopp established & adding a touch of calm, Slot has set Liverpool on a path which ensures long-term success...

[aaronsiva]

Slot looks like he would have brought order to Arrakis.

[arshavindrameh]

From Klopp to Arne Slot, Liverpool has unarguably the best switch of MANAGERS in EPL

[SirGeorgeButtox]

A smooth transition. Klopp built this Liverpool team and passed the baton on to Slott who will run with it. Does anyone remember the great Bill Shankley and handing the reigns over to Bob Paisley? Liverpool went on to dominate
English and European football for years. This could well be history repeating itself.

[Kempinos]

Klopp was like Shankly. Brought the club to world’s top. After him was Paisley who maybe didn’t have the charisma but won more trophies. History may repeat itself here with Slot

[zeldzamezeeslak]

The best aspect of Slot is communication. He is dutch, but all the english, japanese, spanish, portugese etc speaking players understood his ideas perfect. He has a clear image in his head on how to play, but also has the communucation skills to implement them

[mattthompson]

I've been a Liverpool fan since 1984. In forty years, I've seen a lot of managers (and players) come and go. There is something special about this squad and this manager. The way they 'slot' together is just wonderful. The players also look like they're having fun, which helps massively and its importance can't be quantified. Klopp will always be a club legend and I'm so grateful for the success he brought us. And I'm just as grateful for him stepping down at the right time. He left the club in a good place, which most managers don't. Long may it continue. YNWA.

[dlo]

Slot reminds me a lot of SAF in terms of the way they attack with pace, flow, and a lot of one touch build up, mixed with players dribbling when needed. Absolutely amazing to watch

[frankkkbardn]

Some people have no dimension of how good and consistent the Klopp era was. Liv won the league with 99 points, also came in 2nd with 97points while winning the Ucl that year, and came second again with 93 points. To put it in perspective, the Cr7 era United who won the premier 3 times have not made more than 90 points, also the invincibles Arsenal scored exactly 90 points as well. Klopp just had the bad luck having Pep with a bilionaire team against him, and Slot is having some luck in running against the worst season of Pep in City

[jimabrahamguillaume]

A lot of the credit should be given to Michael Edwards. He rightly profiled slot as the perfect fit for the squad klopp left behind which lead to this seamless transition we are witnessing right now.

[joshuannachi_]

Summary of the Video:

Klopp: Create instability in opposition defence via intense attack (which sometimes exposes his defence).

Slot: Ensure stability in the defence before launching into attack (i.e. timing).

[kzdiamond]

Klopp: Heavy Metal
Slot: Hard Rock, Progressive Rock

[svkguha]

Klopp : the best playmaker is the counter press
Slot : the best playmakers are Mo Salah and Trent

[Aviary_]

One has a shiny head, one doesn't

[rugbyanalyst]

Slot has obviously done very well, but what Klopp did do is think about the future of Liverpool and leave a fantastic squad behind for the next manager. Completely the opposite to what Sir Alex Ferguson did.

[Jim]

People forget how many times Liverpool conceeded first last season, yes they were in a title race but it was difficult to watch. Slot seems to have calmed the squad down alot and his transformation of the likes of Gravenberch has been so impressive.

[ParetoEmperor-jpke]

its clear on the pitch, Slot is klopp in the rythm not chaos anymore, the pressing still there but the rythm takeover the chaos in the transitions

[emfqevb]

In Klopp's last season, there was a gradual dial back of his heavy metal football. Klopp wanted the same balance, he even mentioned it a couple of times during interviews.
He already prepped the team for it, you can see in Klopp's last season, especially with Jones, there is more build up play rather than the helter-skelter approach.