When Liverpool won the 2024–25 Premier League title, it wasn’t only the silverware that made headlines it was how they did it. For a team whose identity was long and deeply associated with high-intensity pressing and vertical football, the recent success told a story deeper than that: a tactical change underpinned by control, flexibility, and precision.
This was a different Liverpool. A Liverpool that understood when to press and when to hold back. A Liverpool that prized control of the ball as much as control of the opposition. In this TDG Explainer, we dissect how Liverpool’s playing style changed under new head coach Arne Slot and how that change propelled them back to the top of English football.
A New Leader, A New Blueprint
In the wake of Jürgen Klopp’s heartfelt exit in May 2024, Liverpool made Arne Slot its head coach.
Slot, having moved after a standout period at Feyenoord where he won an Eredivisie championship and a KNVB Cup vowed evolution, not revolution.
Slot’s arrival represented a quiet but significant change: less mayhem, more control.
Liverpool still pushed, but with more calculating prompts. They still launched quick attacks, but without compromising their shape at the back. Slot tutored Liverpool to blend their customary ferocity with a newly discovered patience and tactical sense.
“We will respect the energy and passion Liverpool is famous for, but we will also seek to overwhelm with intelligence,” Slot said when he took over a vow his team fulfilled throughout the campaign.
The Transition from Chaos to Control
Slot’s Liverpool enjoyed an average of 61.2% possession during the season, a rise from 55.9% the year before. Their pass success rate rose to 87.5%, evidencing a definite move away from quick-and-violent football to a more disciplined, possession-oriented style.
Where past Liverpool teams excelled at disorder, this team excelled at order.
Structured pressing Liverpool did not simply overwhelm opponents haphazardly. Pressing was started in tactically coordinated pockets, with the likes of Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch central to closing passing lanes before a coordinated press.
Tactical Tweaks Key for Liverpool
A number of tactical alterations characterized Liverpool’s new style under Arne Slot:
1. Inverted Full-Backs 2.0
Developing on trends established in Klopp’s latter years, Slot institutionalized the inverted full-back approach, especially with Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Trent habitually played into midfield alongside a holding midfielder such as Wataru Endō or Alexis Mac Allister, forming a secure double pivot in buildup.
On the other side, Andrew Robertson (and his deputy Kostas Tsimikas) would sometimes invert or carry width according to the circumstances, providing tactical nuance.
The Outcome:
- Improved ball retention against pressure.
- Easier midfield transition.
- Less exposure to counterattacks.
2. A New Midfield Balance
Slot refashioned Liverpool’s midfield with more of a focus on technical quality rather than straight-up physicality.
The favored midfield trinity regularly included:
- Wataru Endō (defending anchor)
- Ryan Gravenberch (flamboyant box-to-boxer)
- Dominik Szoboszlai (playmaking fox up front)
And then there were the likes of Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott who came in seamlessly, upholding a very high technical baseline.
This enabled Liverpool to control possession in close matches an essential difference-maker against resolute low blocks.
3.Patience in Attack
Slot introduced aspects of “Juego de Posición” positional play to Anfield.
Instead of surging straight forward as soon as they regained the ball, Liverpool now passed the ball around, probing defensive lines before choosing their moment to attack.
Key Impact:
- Fewer turnovers high up the pitch.
- More-quality chances created.
- A more composed, calmer attacking rhythm.
Forwards such as Darwin Núñez, Luis Díaz, and new arrival Federico Chiesa benefited from improved service and more organized buildup play.
Key Players Driving the Evolution for Liverpool
The evolution during Slot was coach-driven as much as it was player-driven. A number of Liverpool stars played key roles:
- Trent Alexander-Arnold: Dominated the hybrid full-back/midfielder role, controlling tempo with his passing range.
- Virgil van Dijk: Had a renaissance season, commanding a higher line with composure and authority.
- Dominik Szoboszlai: The Hungarian star was at the center of Liverpool’s transitional control and pressing triggers.
- Darwin Núñez: Better finishing and wiser movement helped him register 23 Premier League goals his best season to date.
- Federico Chiesa: The summer arrival from Juventus brought unpredictability to Liverpool’s attack, tending to cut inside menacingly from wide positions.
Mental Shift: Game Management Over Gung-Ho Football
Another unsung aspect of Liverpool’s development was an increased focus on game management.
Old Liverpool:
- Depended on bludgeoning opponents with unrelenting intensity.
- Prone to late collapses when attempting to surge for additional goals.
New Liverpool:
- Felt when to reduce the pace.
- Employed tactical fouls and organized possession to finish games off.
- Ended the season with 16 clean sheets league leaders.
“Sometimes the best way to attack is simply by not giving the ball away,” Trent Alexander-Arnold remarked following the title triumph.
Liverpool’s 2024–25 Squad: Mixing Experience and Youth
Here’s the complete senior team that won the title under Arne Slot:
Goalkeepers
- Alisson Becker
- Caoimhín Kelleher
- Vítězslav Jaroš
- Harvey Davies
Defenders
- Trent Alexander-Arnold
- Conor Bradley
- Joe Gomez
- Ibrahima Konaté
- Virgil van Dijk
- Jarell Quansah
- Andrew Robertson
- Kostas Tsimikas
Midfielders
- Wataru Endō
- Dominik Szoboszlai
- Alexis Mac Allister
- Curtis Jones
- Harvey Elliott
- Ryan Gravenberch
- Tyler Morton
Forwards
- Mohamed Salah
- Luis Díaz
- Darwin Núñez
- Cody Gakpo
- Diogo Jota
- Federico Chiesa
The team intelligently mixed legends such as Salah and van Dijk with upcoming youth such as Jarell Quansah and Conor Bradley, making it a multi-dimensional title-winning squad.
What Triggered the Evolution?
A few things compelled Liverpool’s transformation:
- Klopp’s Exits: A new manager introduced new thinking and prioritized sustainability over emotional energy.
- Squad Overhaul: Old guard such as Jordan Henderson and Roberto Firmino departed to make way for new dynamics.
- Premier League Trends: Top teams of today require organized, technical domination — not simply energy.
- City’s Dominance: In order to match and surpass Manchester City, Liverpool required control through tactics in addition to physical energy.
Liverpool Revived
In winning the 2024–25 Premier League title, Liverpool didn’t just reclaim English football’s biggest prize they evolved in style, mentality, and substance.
Arne Slot’s first season showed that while traditions matter, the willingness to evolve matters even more.
As Liverpool fans sang “You’ll Never Walk Alone” on a euphoric Anfield evening, it was more than just a celebration of a trophy.
It was a celebration of rebirth a new Liverpool, ready for a new era.
