Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones has expressed his excitement about the changes Arne Slot is bringing to the team. While the specific details of Slot’s tactical approach have been somewhat of a mystery since his appointment, Jones shed some light on it during a press conference ahead of a pre-season friendly against Real Betis.
Jones emphasized that his style of play has always been centered around being comfortable on the ball and helping the team. However, he noted that previous Liverpool teams focused more on having world-class wingers and forwards, with the midfielders being more disciplined runners. Under Slot, Jones believes that the midfield will become the heart of the team, with a greater emphasis on building up play and playing as a cohesive unit.
Jones clarified that his positive comments about Slot’s style of play should not be seen as a dig at former manager Jurgen Klopp. He simply feels more in his element playing Slot’s brand of football. This is a valid observation, as Klopp’s midfield setup primarily revolved around Fabinho as the defensive midfielder, with Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum playing more advanced roles. The roles and responsibilities of the midfielders rarely changed, as Klopp’s philosophy placed a strong emphasis on quickly recycling possession and counter-pressing.
Slot’s approach, on the other hand, seems to prioritize control and allowing the midfielders more freedom to express themselves. While the core principles put in place by Klopp will likely remain, there will be less urgency to feed the strikers and more emphasis on maintaining possession and breaking down opposition defenses.
Jones, who has undergone a significant transformation from a winger to a possession-oriented midfielder, has excelled in terms of passing accuracy. His passing accuracy last season was second only to Virgil van Dijk among Liverpool players. However, his number of progressive passes per 90 minutes was relatively low. Under Slot, Jones expects to have more opportunities to showcase his abilities and is excited about the prospect.
Slot’s coaching style has impressed Jones, with a strong emphasis on attention to detail and a clear plan in place. While Slot draws inspiration from Pep Guardiola, his system is not a carbon copy. Instead, he intends to make the midfield the heart of the team, providing more outlets and players capable of making a difference in the attack. This approach should benefit not only Jones but also other young talents like Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Elliott, and Gravenberch.
With the midfield set to play a more prominent role, there may be a need for a new defensive midfielder to compete with Wataru Endo. However, overall, Jones believes that Liverpool’s future under Slot is bright and filled with optimism. The changes being implemented by the charismatic Dutchman should make the team even more exciting to watch.