Liverpool Star Opens Up on “Very Hard” Transition from Klopp to Slot After After Playing Out Of Position

Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott talked about the “very hard” transition from Jurgen Klopp to Arne Slot after playing out of position in LFC’s first public game under the new manager.

Arne Slot, Liverpool’s new manager, began his introductory press conference at Anfield this month by emphasizing continuity, citing his tactical similarities with Klopp as a reason for his appointment.

However, during a friendly against Real Betis on Friday, Slot provided the first public look at his revamped Liverpool team. Harvey Elliott, along with other Reds players, noted the Dutch manager’s “completely different” approach.

“It’s very hard,” Elliott told Sky Sports about the transition to Slot’s management. “You know, it’s a completely different style of play, completely different style of tactics but, you know, that’s what happens in football. You need to adapt, you need to learn it.”

In Slot’s debut match, Elliott was notably displaced from his usual roles as a central midfielder or right winger, instead forming an unconventional forward duo with Dominik Szoboszlai.

Szoboszlai appeared more at ease with this setup, combining with Mohamed Salah to net Liverpool’s sole goal of the game in the 34th minute, and seemed revitalized after a slow finish to the 2023-24 season.

Although it’s unlikely that Elliott will play as a leading forward in a competitive fixture for Liverpool this season, both he and Szoboszlai frequently shifted into false nine roles. This adjustment allowed Salah and left winger Fabio Carvalho to stay further up the field.

While Elliott did not have a standout goal-scoring performance, he was effective for 64 minutes before being substituted for Ben Doak as part of a significant number of Liverpool substitutions.

“We don’t have a nine at the moment, and we have two number tens who can play that position,” Slot said after Friday’s match about the pairing of Elliott and Szoboszlai. “We will play during the season with a number nine.”

Elliott isn’t the only one expressing challenges with Slot’s system. Center-back prospect Jarell Quansah, who secured a significant role with the first team following a standout performance in the 2023 U.S.

Summer Tour, remarked after Friday’s game that there are “so many new messages we’re trying to absorb.” Additionally, Szoboszlai pointed out the new manager’s “different” style of play.

Despite the influx of new instructions, Liverpool delivered an impressive performance against Betis, who fielded five starters from last season’s La Liga final.

The Reds dominated with 63 percent possession and displayed a composed approach in their attacking buildup. Elliott has expressed satisfaction with the results under his new manager, despite the transition.

“With the gaffer now, I feel like he’s got every detail right so far,” Elliott continued to Liverpool.com. “He’s driving it into us in training sessions and off the pitch as well.

“You know, I’m in meetings all the time to look at the small details and we are certainly going to help us so we just need to keep going and keep trusting what he’s saying.”

The Reds kicked off their short stay in Philadelphia with an open practice on Sunday, leading up to a Wednesday evening match against Arsenal at Lincoln Financial Field. They will wrap up their U.S. tour on August 3 with a game in Columbia, South Carolina, against Manchester United.

In other Liverpool news, Richard Hughes, Arne Slot Set to Discuss With “Outstanding” Liverpool Player About His Future at the Club