Arne Slot and Liverpool.

My observations on his first competitive game vs Ipswich.

This is going to be a hugely popular topic this season with many people weighing in with their thoughts.

Rightly so as after years of Jurgen Klopp and high tempo counter pressing everyone is fascinated by what the "New Liverpool" will look like.

I have several pages of notes but here are my top five take aways from the Ipswich game.
1 - The deep build up.

Liverpool seem to be using a 4-2 or 3-3 shape to build out of their defensive third.

The shape is slightly different depending on which side of the pitch the ball is orientated.

If the ball is on the left Trent is tucked in as another central midfielder.

If the ball is on the right Robertson is alongside the central defenders.

One of the central midfielders will be high and wide as a release point for the build up (This was most notable with Alexis in the first half)

My #FM24 interested followers, here is a big thread of tactics I have used in 2024 on the game.

All were title winning systems.

First the Diamond midfield using three defensive midfielders.





An attacking 5-2-3 with double wide players.

R9 time.

Following on from my observations of Erling Haaland's goals and his astonishing 38 one touch finishes I have watched three seasons of Ronaldo (R9) goals.

Starting with Barca, then Inter and on to Real Madrid, after his injuries.

Here is what I saw.



1 - Breaking down the Barca goals.

In 96-97 Ronaldo scored 34 league goals.

11 were one touch finishes.
8 were two touch finishes.
13 were three + touch finishes.

He only scored 1 penalty, which I am not counting with the 1 touch finishes.

This is a huge contrast to Haaland and illustrates the explosive style of pre-injury Ronaldo.

I rewatched all of Erling Haaland's 52 goals in his first season at Manchester City for a project on goalscorers and goalscoring.
These are my observations.

1 - Haaland looks to get his shot away as quickly as possible and in as few touches as possible. This can involve varied techniques and even running around the ball as he did against West Ham to shoot in one touch.

#SundayShare
2 - Haaland uses the near and far post areas effectively, often attacking them aggressively and swiftly with small sharp movements. He is adept at getting his body between the defender and the ball in order to find a finish.

Changing your mind is not a sign of weakness.

I took a walk and my mind decided to reflect on my coaching.

I was always games and chaos heavy but I didn't make time for fun and engagement.

I was very much against repeating a session.

Now I am more than happy to repeat. Fun is at the heart of much of what I try to do.

Before the practice was fun but I stood there being "professional".

The hard faced professional has long gone.
The practices are still fun but I have allowed myself to be fun.

The connection with the players is stronger.

#SundayShare
Preparing practices for YOUR group (by "your" I am by no means suggesting that a coach owns these players, merely they will be who you with)

#Thread 1 - Who are they?
Consider age, experience, what they desire from playing football. Do they have a burning desire to progress? Are they beginning their journey? Are they Elite?
What is their CONTEXT?

Sampling
Participation
Performance
Elite

(These may intersect)