For the go to of Brentford within the first dwelling sport of the brand new season, it was very a lot a case of the calm after the joyous storm when it got here to the Dr Who-like managerial regeneration of Jurgen Klopp into Arne Slot.
A 2-0 win represented a level of enterprise as typical for Liverpool, after what had magically felt like nearly 9 years of listening to Sabotage by the Beastie Boys on a relentless loop.
Whereas excellently efficient in amassing three extra factors so as to add to these obtained at Portman Street eight days earlier, Slot’s introductory Premier League soundtrack on dwelling soil was a little bit extra acoustic and intimate in comparison with what we grew accustomed to below Klopp – it was nearly sedate, to be sincere.
Objectives from Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah determined the end result on this one in opposition to Thomas Frank’s principally constricted but extremely organised workforce, armed as they had been with a few latest Liverpool departees amongst their record of substitutes.
When it comes to goalscoring model, you might have simply blinked your consideration towards the touchline totally anticipating to see Klopp chest-bumping away together with his teaching workers, so imbued these targets had been with our former supervisor’s DNA.
But, these two targets apart, there was loads to see that was clearly stamped with what we’ll change into increasingly conversant in from Slot’s model of Liverpool, be it the elevated nature of one-touch soccer and a lower in what was typically, below Klopp, an over-elaboration in enjoying the ball out from the again.
Whereas the latter idea was nonetheless there on Sunday, it was notable that it got here with much less danger, with Alisson clipping the ball into acres of area in our defensive midfield areas way over we’re used to seeing.
Slot’s Liverpool will quickly evolve and focused flashes of pragmatism could possibly be a component we might want to get used to.
In lots of respects, nevertheless, that is one thing that may be an early ace up his sleeve as opposing groups arrange in opposition to us anticipating a continuation of the core Klopp philosophies.
Brentford had been actually drawn in at occasions, solely to be bemused by our variation of strategy to launching forays ahead.
It was refreshing to see and it was a well-drilled mantra, with the ball hardly ever being misplaced carelessly regardless of the alterations.
We had been punching at round 92 % in go completion, our largest determine on this respect in a league sport in over twenty years. We had been spectacular and understated in equal measure on Sunday.
Undeniably, nevertheless, the Klopp-less Liverpool goes to take some adjusting to on the terraces too.
Previous to the match, on Flagpole Nook, the dialog of season-long expectations had been micromanaged. A top-four end and a long term within the Champions League gave the impression to be the consensus of most who opined.
Myself, I’ve no set imaginative and prescient of what’s to come back. I’ll simply roll together with this season on a voyage of Slot-related discovery.
I by no means as soon as watched his Feyenoord play, though you need to be impressed with anybody who can lead the Rotterdam outfit to the Eredivisie title, one thing that they’ve achieved solely twice because the begin of the twenty first century.
An enormous historic entity with regards to Dutch soccer, within the late Nineteen Nineties Feyenoord had as many Eredivisie titles to their identify as PSV Eindhoven did, and as a membership they’ll all the time keep the notoriety of being the primary from their nation to win the European Cup.
Thus, Slot is well-versed in main a membership whose heyday is usually entrenched previously. He ought to really feel proper at dwelling as soon as his ft are comfortably below his new desk.
As issues stand for Slot, nevertheless, it has to really feel like he’s on babysitting duties to a level with no summer time enjoying additions and no compelling prospect to counsel that the state of affairs will change. It’s a panorama that has pushed a lot of the fanbase to distraction and angst.
This week will set a lot of the temper music to come back as we level ourselves towards the autumn and winter months, with our first sport post-transfer window closure being a visit down the East Lancs Street to Previous Trafford, the venue the place the tail finish of final season started to unravel.
Soccer supporters thrive upon positivity, and an absence of latest gamers, an adversarial end result on the dwelling of bitter rivals, and a continued lack of contract bulletins can swiftly create a cloud that can take some shaking simply as the primary worldwide break of the season lumbers into view.
Conversely, beating Man United of their yard, the arrival of a brand new defensive midfield face, and the signing of a contract or two would supply a wave of excellent vibes that extends the summer time for one more month or in order we attain for Seashore Boys tunes and fend off the intuition of pulling from the wardrobe the large coat for a number of weeks extra.
Whichever manner the playing cards fall this week, throughout the larger image unavoidable change is in progress, though that’s to not say it want be a nasty factor nor one thing we should always really feel uneasy about. It’s going to simply take a little bit of getting used to.
?? Applause and a wave from Arne Slot for Liverpool supporters post-match. pic.twitter.com/TuETz7eBpa
— This Is Anfield (@thisisanfield) August 25, 2024
Anfield provided a peculiar close to non-atmosphere on Sunday as with the Klopp songbook now residing on the bookshelf, it was nearly as if no one was fairly positive what we ought to be singing, and it was the voices of the travelling Brentford supporters that could possibly be heard most of the time.
Makes an attempt to get an Arne Slot chant going had been audible, however they didn’t take flight. It was the brand new boss’ first day within the Anfield workplace, and it felt a little bit bit like we had been all nonetheless attempting to suss him out, whether or not he’s sound or not.
I’m positive he can be sound.
