Arne Slot’s Liverpool Outclass Newcastle United
Liverpool’s 4–1 demolition of Newcastle United at Anfield sparked lively discussion on the Anfield Index’s Post-Match Raw podcast. Hosted by Trev Downey and featuring insightful analysis from Karl Matchett and Guy Drinkel, the episode dissected the Reds’ dominant performance, the tactical nuances under Arne Slot, and the implications for the rest of the season.
Encouraging Signs Amid Inconsistencies
Karl Matchett noted, “the second half performance in particular was a little bit of a tonic,” praising Liverpool’s resurgence after a patchy first half. He acknowledged that some familiar problems re-emerged but emphasised that “Liverpool’s class did show,” especially when it mattered.
Guy Drinkel echoed this cautious optimism, saying, “10 goals scored in two games,” before quickly reminding listeners of defensive frailties, referencing the Bournemouth loss: “Well, even the Bournemouth game, we scored two goals and unfortunately they scored three.”
Trev Downey highlighted the frustrating inconsistency, stating, “this is our first win in six. And quite frankly, that’s not good enough.” Karl reinforced this concern, warning that “that kind of form… is not going to get you Champions League spots.”
Arne Slot’s Blueprint Not Yet Reflected
Despite the scoreline, the consensus was that the match was not entirely reflective of Arne Slot’s tactical vision. Karl made a pointed observation: “This performance tonight against Newcastle is not one that Arne Slot has been trying to get us to find.”
He expanded, “The way the game panned out was nothing like an Arne Slot performance… in terms of how he wants us to have control, dominate territory, and be positionally really high up field.” Instead, both teams “went at each other,” exposing weaknesses on both ends. Drinkel supported this by noting the “patterns of play aren’t exactly flowing,” but he admitted that the two consecutive wins are “very much an encouraging start.”
Dutch Duo Leads the Charge
A key highlight was the partnership between Liverpool’s new signings, particularly those with Dutch connections. Guy Drinkel was full of praise: “Them two are just bonding beautifully at the minute. If them two aren’t playing well, we’re not playing well.”
The “best part of £200 million” investment seems to be paying off, as Drinkel said, “it’s nice to get some return on that.” However, he also admitted, “that’s probably a concern and a really good thing” because Liverpool’s fortunes appear tightly linked to their form.
Matchett added that in the final third, “a few more partnerships are really developing,” hinting at potential for long-term cohesion.
Midfield Choices Raise Eyebrows
Trev Downey didn’t shy away from criticising selection decisions, calling the deployment of Wirtz in midfield a “weird one.” He questioned why “Curtis Jones,” a more natural fit, was omitted, suggesting it was done “for the sake of shoehorning Cody Gakpo into the team.”
Drinkel, for his part, wasn’t surprised, saying, “nobody’s surprised to see the two Dutch lads in the team.” However, he noted that consistency was lacking, particularly in Alexis Mac Allister’s form: “Having any good games in a row has been Mac Allister’s issue this season.”
Looking Ahead with Purpose
The table may not reflect immediate progress, but all three contributors agreed that Liverpool must aim higher. Guy Drinkel was clear: “We shouldn’t be targeting fourth and fifth. This team’s talented enough to go on winning games consistently.”
Trev Downey wrapped it up with a definitive statement: “Only replicating form that will do that is the only thing that’s acceptable for us.” For Liverpool to reclaim their place among Europe’s elite, every match must now reflect Slot’s tactical identity and the quality of the squad.
The Anfield Index podcast once again offered sharp insight, thanks to the articulate contributions of Trev Downey, Karl Matchett, and Guy Drinkel. Liverpool’s win over Newcastle United is a promising step, but as all three made clear, the journey is far from over.
