Liverpool’s Tactical Reset Under Arne Slot Faces Renewed Scrutiny
Liverpool’s title defence has begun with more turbulence than triumph and the conversation has inevitably turned toward Arne Slot, his recruitment strategy and the tactical direction of the team. Jamie Carragher has been among the most vocal in assessing where things have faltered, drawing particular attention to the club’s summer transfer window and the attempt to remodel the side into a more expansive, possession heavy outfit.
Carragher’s Assessment of Liverpool’s Transfer Strategy
Liverpool moved boldly in 2025 with almost £450m spent on new signings. It was a major shift from Slot’s first summer and a deliberate attempt to accelerate development after winning the Premier League. Yet the early returns have been mixed. Players such as Milos Kerkez and Florian Wirtz have faced heavy criticism and Liverpool sit eight points behind Arsenal after five league defeats.
Speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, Carragher offered a pointed explanation, noting that Slot’s ambition to evolve Liverpool into a more stylish attacking team has not aligned with the wider Premier League landscape. The former defender said, “They’ve tried to take the team of last season that won the league, but in Slot’s eyes, he wanted it to be more sexy, more goals, more entertaining.
“He’s always speaking about Paris Saint-Germain. He loves Pep [Guardiola]. You hear him speaking about Pep before the game. His hero is Pep, so you know he’s trying to move that team towards more football and more goals, and the league has moved [the other] way.
“The league’s gone [more] powerful, set pieces, long throws, almost like a throwback to the 2000s, and Liverpool have been left behind. They’ve almost just got it wrong in terms of where the game’s going, and I think that’s been a big problem for them.”
Shifting Trends and Liverpool’s Recruitment Choices
There has been no shortage of hindsight in commentary around Liverpool’s business. Early praise for aggressive recruitment has given way to concerns about overcorrection and misjudged priorities. Carragher did caution against adding another centre forward before the arrival of Alexander Isak, particularly with Hugo Ekitike already in the squad, although Liverpool had clear reasons to reinforce the attack.
The tragic death of Diogo Jota combined with the departures of Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz left Slot with no choice but to reshape his forward line. The strategy was not without logic, but it did increase the burden on new players to settle instantly.
Set Pieces, Structure and the Need for Tactical Adjustment
Carragher’s most compelling point relates to Liverpool’s vulnerability from dead ball situations. Slot himself admitted after the defeat to Brentford that set pieces were becoming a problem and the numbers since have supported that concern. In a season where many top sides have leaned into physicality and high percentage set play routines, Liverpool’s focus on fluid attacking football has come at a cost.
Slot will aim to balance philosophy with practicality. Liverpool have lost seven of their last ten in all competitions and the gap to Arsenal is widening. A recalibration may be necessary to restore stability and prevent the champions from falling further behind a rival that has embraced the current tactical trend with remarkable consistency.
