Liverpool’s Newfound Tactical Approach Leaves Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville Baffled
Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Ipswich Town in their opening Premier League match marked the beginning of the Arne Slot era at Anfield, and it was a game that brought a lot of interesting tactical nuances to the table. One particular moment that caught the attention of pundits Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville was Andy Robertson’s decision to run around Virgil van Dijk instead of pushing wide when the ball was played back to him.
The Unfamiliar Move
As Carragher analyzed the move during Monday Night Football on Sky Sports, he noted that it’s not something he’s seen before. Robertson, instead of going wide, opted to make a run around Van Dijk, creating a space for himself to receive the ball. "I think the natural thing here as the ball is going round the back, considering Ipswich are playing with a front four to press, would be Andy Robertson to come here [push wide]," Carragher said. "But what’s really interesting is to watch where he goes to receive the ball and help Virgil van Dijk. It’s something I’ve never really seen before. Going around the back of him! Hopefully, we’ll understand at some stage."
Gary Neville’s Skepticism
Neville, too, was left puzzled by the move, questioning the benefit of Robertson’s actions. "I marvel at these players and how teams play out from the back," Neville commented. "But I wonder what is the benefit that you’re trying to look for there? What’s the advantage? You’ve got Alisson there who can do that exact same job. Why would Arne Slot coach Robertson to run behind Van Dijk into the space where Alisson can do that job? What advantage has he seen there for his team?"
Understanding the Thinking Behind the Move
Carragher is eager to get an explanation from Slot, and he hopes to get the chance to interview the coach ahead of Liverpool’s next match against Brentford. "Listen, this is new to us I’ll ask Arne Slot, hopefully, I’m interviewing him ahead of next week’s game against Brentford. But he definitely likes to use the centre of the pitch. He’s always got numbers centrally. I’m sure we’ll get to the bottom of it. But Robertson did that which I found very interesting."
What’s Next for Liverpool?
Liverpool will look to build on their winning start when they host Brentford at Anfield on Sunday. Kick-off is set for 16:30. If you’re as intrigued as Carragher and Neville about Slot’s tactics, be sure to follow us on all social media platforms for more updates and analysis from the world of football.