The Reds are prepared to face Real Betis on Friday in the first of three pre-season friendlies in the United States, and fans are already talking about what they’ve seen in training.
Liverpool fans have gone crazy after seeing “Arne Slot ball” for the first time in training. The Dutchman has had a few weeks to work with the majority of his first-team squad in pre-season, and it appears that things are finally coming together.
Slot has large shoes to fill after Jurgen Klopp helped Liverpool dominate opponents with his high-intensity, gegenpressing style of play, but the Dutchman was hired for a good reason, and the club administration believes he is the best candidate to carry on Klopp’s legacy.
Operating within an essentially identical tactical framework, Slot led Feyenoord to league and cup victories in 2023 and 2024, respectively, by employing an attack-minded style of play that emphasizes possession and energy.
However, the two-time Eredivise Manager of the Year does not encourage his sides to “overcommit to the high press,” instead withdrawing “into a more reserved block” if they fail to win the ball, according to a tactical analysis by Coaches Voice.
Now, in recent footage released from one of Liverpool’s training sessions in the United States, it appears that fans have finally seen their first glimpse of “Arne Slot ball,” with Jarell Quansah, Wataru Endo, Curtis Jones, and Mohamed Salah all involved in a fine move that was finished off by Conor Bradley scoring.
The smooth movement, one-touch passing, and rapid transition up the other end of the pitch looked fantastic, and it was certainly enough to drive Reds fans out of their seats, with some declaring Slot’s vision has finally “come to life”.
One fan responded to the tweet on Liverpool’s official X (previously Twitter) account, saying, “Oh this team is going to cook, and I can’t wait.” Another said, “We love the direct passing!!”, while a third said, “Slot ball is going to cook, number 7 incoming, let’s go Reds!”
A third fan even went so far as to predict that Liverpool’s new style of play could lead to them winning all four trophies on offer this season under their new manager, claiming that “Slot ball” is giving “quadruple vibes.”
And Reds fans won’t have to wait long to see their club in action, as Slot will take charge of his first official game as head coach against Real Betis at Pittsburgh’s Acrisure Stadium on Friday.
The Reds will then play Premier League rivals Arsenal (July 31) and Manchester United (August 3) to conclude their pre-season tour of the United States, before returning to Anfield for their final friendly of the summer against Sevilla on August 11.
