Klopp And His Gegenpress vs. Slot’s Structured Control

The departure of Jürgen Klopp from Liverpool at the end of the 2023-2024 season marked the end of a transformative era. His sides were defined by his high-octane “Gegenpressing” philosophy. There was no natural replacement available to replicate the Premier League-defining style. When he was replaced with Arne Slot, who built a reputation at Feyenoord for a more possession-based and structurally controlled approach. It naturally led to intense scrutiny and analysis of the tactical shifts at Anfield. While the core of Liverpool’s squad remains familiar, the nuances of their play under Slot reveal a revolution rather than a complete overhaul. That will have to wait till the summer…

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Klopp And His Heavy Metal

A Jurgen Klopp Liverpool side was synonymous with relentless energy and direct attacking football or the “Gegenpress.” This style called for a coordinated effort to win back possession immediately, often high up the pitch. The aim was to disrupt the opposition’s build-up and create quick transitions that would overwhelm the defense with the speed of the attack. Tactically, this meant that the full-backs provided width, midfielders broke lines, and a fluid front three exploited the space in behind. It was all about fast-paced football pushing the ball vertically quickly. His dangerous trident of attacking options made sides pay for being lackadaisical.  

Throughout his tenure at Liverpool, Jürgen Klopp’s most frequently and famously used formation was the 4-3-3. This formation allowed the tactics tailored to make the “Gegenpress” so deadly and also led to Champions League and Premier League titles.

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Here’s why the 4-3-3 was so integral to Klopp’s Liverpool:

• Gegenpressing Foundation: The three central midfielders provided the engine room for the intense counter-pressing. They could aggressively win the ball back in midfield and support the front three in overwhelming the defense on the counter.   
• Attacking Threat: The front three was headed by Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané, and Roberto Firmino. Later evolving with other players, they were dynamic and interchangeable. The wingers provided width and direct goal threat, while the central forward often dropped deep to link play.   
• Full-back Influence: The 4-3-3 allowed the full-backs, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson, to push high and wide. They became crucial attacking outlets and providing crosses into the box.   
• Midfield Balance: The midfield three typically comprised a holding midfielder (like Fabinho), who provided defensive stability, and two more dynamic, box-to-box midfielders (such as Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum, or later Thiago Alcântara and others) who could contribute both defensively and offensively.

Klopp’s reluctance to move away from the 4-3-3 and to adopt tactically to situations has been one of the question marks that has remained after a legendary stay. The Gegenpress was masterful when executed properly. But often it left the defense exposed if the point of the attack wasn’t driven home.

Slot And His Metered Percussion

In contrast, Arne Slot’s 2024-25 tactical blueprint, while still incorporating pressing elements, leans towards greater control. His tactics focus on a more patient build-up. At Feyenoord, Slot favored a 4-2-3-1 formation (which can morph into a 4-3-3 in possession). This system emphasized ball retention and methodical progression through the thirds. The double pivot in midfield provides a solid base. It allows the attacking midfielders and wingers to operate with more freedom in the final third. Slot’s teams are known for their intricate passing patterns. He wants to create openings through positional play and drawing opponents out of their defensive shape. While quick transitions are still a part of the strategy, they are often initiated from a more controlled defensive structure. It’s definitely slower than Klopp’s frenetic pace. Nevertheless, the calm and control it brings to the field has its own beauty to it.

How The Two Differ

One of the key differences between the two styles of play lies in what triggers the press triggers. Klopp’s Gegenpressing was often triggered by traps and aimed for immediate turnovers in dangerous areas higher up the pitch. While Slot’s Liverpool also does press high, there appears to be a greater emphasis on zonal marking and cutting off the opposing team’s passing lanes. Slot aims to regain possession in a more structured manner rather than a sudden violent collapse to the ball that could end up in a chaotic scramble. Slot’s approach can lead to a slightly less frantic approach, offering more stability at the expense of the high-intensity turnovers that were a hallmark of Klopp’s reign.   

In possession, another tactical difference between the two coaches is also noticeable. For Klopp, he wanted his fullbacks, particularly Trent Alexander-Arnold, often inverted into midfield to create overloads. Slot’s system sees them retain their width and provide crossing options that stretch the opposition’s defense. The midfield under Slot, with the likes of Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister often forming a double pivot, focuses on controlling the tempo and dictating play with their passing range and positional discipline. This contrasts with Klopp’s midfield trios. A Klopp midfield often featured more dynamic and box-to-box players tasked with supporting both the attack and the intense pressing demands.   

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The attacking patterns also exhibit subtle changes. Mohamed Salah remains a crucial figure. His role under Slot appears to have him operating in slightly wider areas at times, potentially focusing more on creating opportunities from the flanks and his trademark cut-ins. The response from Salah has seen the 33-year-old winger’s return rise to a staggering height. It seems the shift implemented by Slot at least in the attacking third has settled the Egyptian King back at the pinnacle of the Premier League.

The early success of Liverpool under Slot this season suggests that this evolutionary approach is bearing fruit. The team has shown resilience and adaptability, maintaining a strong position in the Premier League and continuing to hold Arsenal at arm’s length. While the raw intensity of a Klopp side might be slightly tempered, Slot’s Liverpool appears to possess a greater degree of tactical flexibility and perhaps a more sustainable approach in the long run. This could potentially reduce the risk of burnout and injuries that sometimes plagued the latter years of Klopp’s tenure. Even outside of the tactical formation and gameplay, Slot’s willingness to turn to his bench earlier and rotate the squad has provided the impetus for some sterling comebacks this season and retained the Reds’ peak position.

In conclusion, the tactical comparison between what Jurgen Klopp accomplished and how Arne Slot is proceeding reveals a nuanced evolution rather than a revolution. While Klopp’s reign was defined by the exhilarating chaos of Gegenpressing and direct attacking, Slot is implementing a more structured and possession-oriented approach, emphasizing control and tactical flexibility. The core principles remain, but the execution is evolving, promising an intriguing new edition to the Reds as we advance.