'Really interesting': Theo Walcott says he's spotted something fascinating about Arne Slot at Liverpool recently
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Arne Slot has been an exceptional managerial appointment by Liverpool, and there is more to his style than meets the eye.
It was the return of the Champions League on Wednesday night and a return to winning ways for Slot in the competition, with a 3-2 victory sealed by his club captain Virgil van Dijk in the final minutes of stoppage time against Atletico Madrid.
This is a continuation of the form his side have had in England’s top-flight so far this season, as Liverpool set a new dramatic Premier League record by winning four consecutive games in the final 10 minutes of the game.
They are currently the league leaders with four wins from four, with a victory over last year’s runners-up Arsenal and a difficult night at St James’ Park against Newcastle out of the way in the opening fixtures.
However, it was quite close to being their first draw of the season against Burnley, but a late Hannibal Mejbri handball gifted the side and the ever-accurate Mohamed Salah a penalty, which was handily scored in the 90th minute.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Scott Parker’s side defended like their lives depended on it for 90 minutes, but it was one mistake that undid their hard work and even some of the Dutch coach’s decisions.
He decided to bring on the very energetic forwards, Rio Ngumoha and Federico Chiesa, while leaving Salah on to try and force something through the unpredictability of the group.
While it was a mistake in defence that ultimately awarded them the win, it would not have happened without adding these substitutes to mount pressure on their solid backline.
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It is something that impressed former Arsenal player Theo Walcott when he spoke about Slot’s managerial style on The Overlap US.
Walcott said: “Look for me, we talk about just winning games.
Doesn’t matter how you, no one remembers the first game of the season and the second, the third, fourth.
It’s all about results and getting points on the board and they’re finding a way.
“And I think what’s really interesting on Slot at times is even learning as the games go on because now you’re getting this element with Burnley having everyone up against, you know, like a bus, they have got to try and get through it, and he’s like, do you know what?
I will just try and stick on as many forwards, as many attacking-minded people just because I’m not worried about because there’s been no worry at all the whole game.
“But I just feel it’s a great position to be in because they’re finding a way.
And when you find a way, the energy just flows through the team when with results and particularly last-minute winners, they are a great feeling for anyone and the fans as well.”
He has done this a few times in the past, especially in the League Cup final defeat to Newcastle, where he brought on all the forwards he had left on the bench to try and change the game.
You cannot avoid discourse on the season so far without talking about how the Reds are winning their matches.
The late winners have become a staple of this season, but while it may make them one of the most exciting teams to follow and watch, it also brings its own problems later down the line.
They have not settled down into their usual consistent and measured form just yet, and a game against Everton in the Merseyside derby will definitely not show that.
There is no doubt that what was seen yesterday and for the first four games of the season will happen on Saturday during the derby, and could even be worse due to how cagey the game always is.
What Slot will have to do is remind the players going in that they will have to manage emotions somewhat, but it cannot be denied that there will be some late drama to end the game.