Manchester United vs. Liverpool: We need to talk about Slot

Manchester United versus Liverpool, where do we start?

First things first, it was a total humbling for Manchester United by Liverpool at the theatre of dreams in what stands Arne Slot’s first season in charge of the Merseyside Reds.

Though the first of 3-games, the Dutchman is out in his first season recreating records made by former Liverpool manager, Bob Paisley.

After seeing off Manchester United in a 0-3 win at Old Trafford, Arne Slot joins the Liverpool legend as the first manager since Paisley in 1975 to win his game against the Red Devils, and also George Kay in 1936 to win his first game against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

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Manchester United vs. Liverpool: Preview, Confirmed Lineup

Why Liverpool might not need Zubimendi after all

For a manager who starts this season as his first foray in the English Premier League, he has led Liverpool to an emphatic start to the season with the Reds keeping consecutive clean sheets in their first 3-games of the season. This pales in reflection to a Liverpool side who barely could keep out the ball from seeing the back of the net in the 2023/24 campaign.

Is it the tactics? Perhaps. And if there is anything more glaring this season, it is the sudden rise in stock of midfielder Ryan Gravenberch who has risen to the occasion as the no. 6 that Liverpool so desperately needed Martin Zubimendi to be.

Compared to the player who sat most of last season on the bench under Jurgen Klopp, Ryan Gravenberch has emerged the one player whose performance could save the Reds’ season and prevent Liverpool from actually missing a natural defensive midfielder in Arne Slot’s set up.

The interesting thing about the Dutchman is the fact that he lets the team’s strength determine the tactics. In contrast to Jurgen Klopp who utilizes a single 6 to marshal the midfield, Arne Slot uses a double pivot to keep Liverpool’s midfield compact. Here, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Alister join hands to control the midfield strength while Dominik Szoboszlai plays a free role on the pitch.

Another name who has also impressed this season, and perhaps become a very different player is Luis Diaz whose clinical finishes this season has either put the Reds up in their games or secured their advantage. Luis Diaz turned up with 2-vital goals against Manchester United for Liverpool with Mohamed Salah sealing the third.

Arne Slot is up to something this season, and his first test as Liverpool boss, so far has gone better than any pundit could have imagined. But can he do this against a better opponent like Manchester City? It will be interesting to see how Liverpool fare against the Cityzens or Arsenal this season. However, one thing is now certain, Arne Slot is a man with serious ambitions, and he has shown, he knows what he is doing.