Liverpool’s Evolution Under Slot: Fitness, Focus and Leadership | OneFootball

Liverpool Must Evolve Again Next Season – Slot’s Subtle Revolution Begins

The Anfield Index podcast Media Matters recently featured a special insight into Liverpool’s title-winning campaign with The Times’ Paul Joyce, who spoke at length to Dave Davis about his deep-dive piece, The Making of Champions. The conversation shed light on what made this team click under Arne Slot and why evolution—not revolution—will again be central to Liverpool’s plans next season.

Slot’s Impact from Day One

When Arne Slot took over following Jürgen Klopp’s departure, many feared a difficult transition. Joyce revealed that expectation was flipped quickly: “Straight away the buy-in was absolute from these players.” Established stars like Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah “came back into training… like we’re going to have to impress this man.”

Slot’s early attention to detail resonated, from sharper rondos to individual player improvement sessions. According to Joyce, “It was described to me that players of the stature of Virgil and Mo… felt they had to prove themselves again.” This attitude created immediate momentum that lasted across the season.

Rather than overhaul the squad, Slot made “the evolution from Klopp to Slot no bigger than it needed to be,” trusting Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes while challenging his players. “He wasn’t a manager who came in and said ‘I need to mould the team straight away,’” Joyce said.

How Liverpool Evolved on and off the Pitch

Joyce revealed subtle but influential tweaks at the AXA Training Centre—some inspired by a visit to Roma. New communal spaces and improved communication channels between coaching staff and players helped create an inclusive footballing environment. “It fosters this sort of camaraderie,” Joyce noted, explaining how small changes added “one or two percent” improvements that proved vital.

Mo Salah’s role, both on and off the pitch, was highlighted as one of the season’s big stories. “He’s developed into a leader at Liverpool,” said Joyce. “He’s become less obsessed with goals and happy to be a creator.” There was even a mutual understanding with Slot, where Salah was excused from defensive duties—but expected to deliver elite output in return.

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Van Dijk, meanwhile, was handed more tactical responsibility. “Slot was straight on to Virgil… saying you need to take more responsibility in our play,” Joyce shared. He now initiates attacks, breaking lines from the back, and opponents like Everton even devised systems to counteract him—clear proof of his growing influence under Slot.

Fitness, Trust and the Need to Be More Ruthless

Slot’s selection of Ruben Peeters, his long-time fitness coach, was deliberate and impactful. Liverpool’s reduction in muscle injuries and sustained squad availability this season owes much to their refined approach to training. “Smaller pitches, lower intensity during the week, then ramping up closer to matchday,” Joyce detailed.

Yet, Liverpool still need to evolve again next season. “Slot has repeatedly mentioned we don’t make games easy for ourselves,” Joyce noted, pointing to just “10 or 11 games” won by two goals or more. This lack of ruthlessness has been acknowledged by Slot and will be a key area for improvement.

Joyce also touched on squad depth: “He effectively trusted 13 or 14 players this season,” suggesting that Liverpool may need additions, especially depending on departures. The futures of Ibrahima Konaté, Caoimhín Kelleher, and even Harvey Elliott could affect transfer priorities.

Leadership and Looking Ahead

The club’s internal culture remains a foundation. Joyce praised the humility and open-mindedness of Slot: “He will take advice on board… it’s not all about him.” That humility could prove vital as Liverpool begin their push for title number 21.

The final line of Joyce’s article summed it up best: “Liverpool’s charge to title number 20 has been impressive – yet the pursuit of the next one is already underway.”