Liverpool boss Arne Slot has unveiled the tactical strategies that led to their decisive 3-0 victory over Manchester United on Sunday.
The Reds secured the win with a brace from Luis Diaz and a goal from Mohamed Salah.
Key to the result were three midfield errors – two by Casemiro and one by Kobbie Mainoo – that contributed to all three goals.
While individual mistakes played a role, Slot’s tactical approach against Erik ten Hag’s side was instrumental in exposing United’s vulnerabilities and capitalizing on their structural weaknesses.
The former Feyenoord manager detailed the weak points he and his coaching staff identified in United’s setup before the match.
He also compared the tactics employed this season with those from the previous season.
Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “Last season, they were man-marking on the midfield, and they had a press with the seven and 11 (the wingers).
“So with the striker, and one of the wingers jumped with him.
“This season, they are more with a 9 and 10 press, so they’re more in a 4-4-2.
“So that’s different, of course.
“I see them, in my opinion, working harder if the ball is being played through them, so they run more.
“That’s at least what I saw in their first games.
“Their style is also – this is maybe last season, I don’t remember that well – but their full-backs, nine out of ten times, are really high, and then Casemiro comes in between.
“So, if you pick up the ball and you can keep Diaz and Mo Salah high, then you’re constantly in a one-on-one situation.
“Then you need midfielders that can run, and we had three of them today that kept running, and if they arrive in a duel, they are aggressive enough to win it.
“So that was, I think, one of the main reasons why we could win today.”
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