Graeme Souness says that he believes Liverpool have a fair shot of winning the league based on their defensive effort from the front.
Ever since Jurgen Klopp took over at Anfield, the onus has been on the team working as a collective to put pressure on their opponents from the very top end of the pitch.
This tactical approach almost yielded two trophies in his first half-season at the club. Almost a decade on and Liverpool are still best characterised as a free-flowing attacking side that relies on high pressing from the front.
Arne Slot has now inherited a highly talented squad with very similar tactics in place to the Feyenoord side he built. He’s now put his own spin on the Liverpool tactical approach and so far, it’s yielded excellent results.
Most recently, the Reds dispatched Manchester United without so much a as a fuss.
Liverpool remind Graeme Souness of Liverpool teams of old
Liverpool celebrate Luis Diaz goal. Credit: Imago Images
“It’s a very, very healthy outfit,” he said on talkSPORT. “It’s a fabulous job. You don’t normally get a job because it’s going well. He’s walked into a job that was going well.
“He’s got a group of youngsters behind him and he’s had a good a chance to look at the players. I’m sure he’s got a budget but why would you want to go into Liverpool and make changes?
“I mean, I’m mystified. Maybe I just know nothing about football and I hear all these pundits talking about how different it is. I don’t see a different Liverpool.
“What I saw yesterday it was so impressive because what you have, and Man City fall into the same category, Arsenal fall into the same category, The first thing you overlook is the work rate.
“It’s all right to be clever on the ball and make cute passes but the number one priority is to go in there and work your socks off. Let me tell you when I was a player at Liverpool generally the best team that closes down will generally win the league. And when you analyze closing down, it’s working hard.
“I saw from my team yesterday a team that worked their socks off, very aggressive that was taken by their midfield. Szoboszlai and Gravenberch, I thought they bullied everyone in there and they won at a canter. That could have been a lot worse when you think of the chances. They were very impressive yesterday, but I don’t see a different Liverpool.”
