Arn Slott brings Italian defensive tactics to Liverpool: Is it effective or risky?

Modern football is often considered to lack tactical diversity. However, now a new type of discussion about how the team responds to free kicks and crosses.

Over the past few years, high defensive lines have become the main choice for many leagues. Instead, a different trend has been developed in Italy: low defensive lines and collective offense.

Surprisingly, Arn Slott applied this strategy to Liverpool. His team formed a very deep defense several times in corner kicks against Newcastle.

showed Liverpool's unique side with a 3-2 win. However, there are moments when opponents score goals.

Liverpool's defensive tactics and free kicks have become the focus

Since the opening whistle against Newcastle, Liverpool seems to be taking a lower defense position when facing a free kick. Their position is about 20 yards lower than usual, so Kyle Trippier has to look for other ways to execute.

On the first chance, he passed the ball to Sandro Tonali, who then hangs the ball towards the far post. Virgil van Dijk quickly won the air confrontation and stole the ball.

Treipil then tried different modes involving Bruno Guimaras. However, this pass was also easily cracked by Liverpool's defense.

Other attempts also failed. He crossed the ball several times over the line close to the goal, but Newcastle's offensive options became limited.

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In one of these cases, Anthony Gordon stood in an offside position behind Liverpool's defensive line, hoping to find opportunities in the chaos of the penalty area.

Treipier tried to pass the ball to him, but the direction of the pass fell into Allison's arms.

In another chance, Gordon worked with Anthony Ellanda. However, the ball passed to Ellanga was missed out of the goal, and the cross produced was not threatening.

Although Newcastle only had 10 players in the second half, the pressure still existed. Through Lewis Hall, the long pass was sent again, but Van Dyke calmly intercepted it.

Fatal error: Newcastle equalized the goal

The critical moment appeared when Van Dick seemed to be ready to retreat to meet the pass. However, he directed his teammates to maintain a higher line of defense after turning to the bench.

This change forces Ibrahima Konath to back 20 yards to fill the space. So he had difficulties in fighting over the air with Dan Bourne. The

ball eventually left, hit Conate, and then landed on William Ausra's route, successfully tied the score to 2-2. After the match, Arn Slott admitted that the decision was made based on instructions from the sidelines. He believes the move is wrong, although its purpose is to reduce the risk of secondary balls in the free throw area.

Arne Slott admitted his mistakes, but adhered to the concept

Arne Slott stressed that Van Dyke had no responsibility. According to him, the captain just conveyed the coaching staff’s instructions.

He explained that this decision was due to the threat of the second ball, out-of-bounds ball and corner kick. Despite the result of a goal conceding, he admitted to sticking to this philosophy.

Interestingly, after that goal, Liverpool once again used the tactic of a low tie. As a result, Nick Pope failed to take advantage of the next free kick as Allison ran out easily and took the ball away. The

victory was still secured, thanks to Leo Ngumoha's late goal. Nevertheless, this experiment will obviously be included in the slot evaluation list.

The showdown with Arsenal is the next test

This weekend, Liverpool will face Arsenal. Arsenal is known as one of the most threatening free kick teams in the Premier League.

This match could be a stage for testing Arne Slott's style philosophy. Will he continue to use a low-level lineup, or return to the traditional tall lineup?

For football fans, the showdown promises an interesting tactical battle: Arsenal's free kick idea against Liverpool's defensive experiment.