So, Arne Slot went back to 433, played with 9 players from last season league winning team (would likely have played 11 if Allison was not injured, Jota and Diaz still around).

Left GBP370m worth of new players that was supposed to fuel his new system out of the lineup.

Ok, better than Amorim. Would change formation and tactics when required. Calm the situation down.

Just hoping Slot doesn't pull a "Brentford Switch" (aka back to his not working tactics after the changes in the 5-1 Frankfurt win).

I'm just curious how Wirtz and the new players will be integrated since 10 of 11 players are clearly comfortable with 433, direct football.

Wirtz is a smart player & he will get used to the system.

He will pass forward rather than sideways or backwards like Hendo did in the past.

He is getting on well with the players & I expect him to score latest by the City game or Real's if he is fielded as first11

well, Slot's not stupid. Revert back for a win, then reintegrate the new players the next game. Throwing away Lembu Cup was correct

It has always been 433, including the game against brentford. Slot didnt change the formation. There are 2 main differences which earn us the win:
- very less mistakes from players. Key players like salah, vvd stepping up to their usual level until the szo which is our outstanding players this season, looks normal last night even though he play very well
- villa playing attacking football instead of low block, which has been our weakness since klopp era

Slot's 2025 formation is his favoured 4-2-3-1 with the inverted full back system he used in Feyenoord and AZ Alkmaar. It converts into a back 3 on the offensive build-up.

4-3-3 is Klopp's formation which Slot retained in 2024 with modification to playstyle - no or less counter press, focus on retaining possession.

Against Aston Villa, it feels more like 2024's 4-3-3, evident since 9 of 11 players played in that system. The positioning also closer to 4-3-3 and the balls more direct, no (or less) inverted full back plays - maintain width, and 2 midfielders doing link up with the defense instead of having someone like Wirtz or Szobo drop back to collect.

Also, the team doesn't seem to be pressing as high as the 4-2-3-1 where 6 players will camp at the opponent's half during the build-up.

Still no counter-press but tighter formation helped with the 2nd ball press - always have at least 2 players that can apply pressure.

But yeah, Villa not low blocking is the main contributor - Salah's goal would not have been possible if it was a low block.

This post has been edited by zizoo9876: Nov 2 2025, 02:57 PM

The big difference in last night's match was the players positioning... everyone close to each other for short passes... you dont see that in all the previous matches. When midfiled got the ball, everyone ran to final third waiting for a miracle pass.. once intercepted, gone case.. just my observation..

This post has been edited by manx: Nov 2 2025, 03:49 PM

Yes, agreed to the above.

Last night Slot revert back to a more direct approach tactic and so everyone kind of like 'back to themself', is Slot going to insist on his possession based tactics in future?

How about this guy? Isnt he the perfect person to being a leader when team need a player like Hendo did before?



For me we desprately need a backup for Graven36 as we already had bought Leoni15 for VVD4 & Konate5 as backup

Value buy?



This post has been edited by msiabole10: Nov 3 2025, 12:43 AM

Will be expensive. Prolly be quoted at least £70M now since he's a regular England international.

later 4am match...kenot wake up la

i think no one can wake up lol, unless on leave. Not losing is alrdy a big achievement

Good luck boys .. don't lose and no injuries. 🤞

Liv 1 - 0 Fake Madrid is my prediction

Good Luck

Wiritz to score

We are playing 433,

Trent fond of scoring own goals

bonus for us ?

Mamardashvili; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitike.


Subs: Woodman, Miscuir, Gomez, Endo, Kerkez, Chiesa, Jones, Gakpo, Ngumoha

wirtz on left wing

alonso trust a CMF more than him as their RB

wtf ref blew his whistle every time madrid player goes to ground. won't be surprised if they get a couple penalty tonite

Unlucky get blocked. What a chance