Arne Slot Ditches Klopp’s Signature Training Feature Ahead of New Liverpool Season
As Liverpool gears up for the 2024-25 Premier League season, excitement is brewing among fans despite the club’s quiet transfer window.
The anticipation largely stems from the arrival of Arne Slot, who succeeded Jurgen Klopp after his departure last season. The Dutch manager has quickly begun shaping the team in his vision, making notable changes to the training routines that have become synonymous with Liverpool under Klopp.
Slot’s influence is already visible in Liverpool’s pre-season, which has been marked by impressive victories over Real Betis, Arsenal, and Manchester United in the United States.
However, the latest training footage has sparked conversation among fans, revealing a subtle yet significant shift in how the Reds are being prepared for the new season.
In a video shared as part of Liverpool’s “Inside Training” series, the players are seen participating in rondos, a staple exercise in football training where players try to maintain possession by passing the ball quickly within a small circle while others attempt to intercept it. But one detail caught the attention of a keen-eyed fan account on X (formerly Twitter), Watch LFC, who pointed out a key difference in the drill under Slot’s regime.
“Slot has banned the players from doing back heels/drag back flicks in rondos,” the account noted. “Under Klopp, all the players used them when space got tight, but Slot and his coaches now want players to ‘open’ their bodies instead.”
This shift, though seemingly minor, provides insight into Slot’s tactical philosophy. While Klopp’s Liverpool often relied on flair and unpredictability in tight spaces, Slot appears to favor a more structured approach, encouraging players to maintain open body positions to better control and distribute the ball.
The change was further highlighted when Joe Gomez, who attempted a flick during the drill, was sent into the middle of the rondo as a form of punishment—a clear message that Slot is serious about implementing his new methods.
As Liverpool prepares for their final pre-season matches against Sevilla and Las Palmas in a rare double-header at Anfield, fans will be eager to see how these changes translate onto the pitch.
With the Premier League opener against Ipswich Town just a week away, Slot’s early adjustments could be a preview of a new era at Anfield, one that blends disciplined structure with the relentless energy that has defined Liverpool in recent years.
Arne Slot Ditches Klopp’s Signature Training Feature Ahead of New Liverpool Season
