Liverpool cruised to a 5-0 victory over Stoke City in a pre-season friendly, and one tactical combination introduced by Arne Slot caught the eye.
Kopites are always alert during pre-season, mentally noting any subtle tactical shifts as the Reds prepare to defend their Premier League crown.
Supporters closely observing Liverpool’s summer fixtures are keen to identify any nuanced adjustments made by Slot to his system.
There was no sweeping overhaul in Slot’s first season in charge. Understandably so, given he inherited a well-drilled squad from Jurgen Klopp. Rather than dismantling Klopp’s legacy, Slot chose to build upon it, opting for evolution over revolution. His only signing that season, Federico Chiesa, was a squad addition rather than a transformational piece.
That made the Premier League title win in Slot’s debut campaign all the more impressive. Even he acknowledged that Fenway Sports Group’s primary target had merely been Champions League qualification – a goal he comfortably exceeded.
Expectations were that Slot’s second summer in charge would be far busier, giving him the chance to bring in his own players and start shaping a team that reflects his philosophy. While some tactical changes emerged during the 2024-25 season — including a more liberated role for Mo Salah and Ryan Gravenberch’s deployment as a number six — this pre-season is anticipated to be the real unveiling of “Slotball.”
There is a growing sense of curiosity. The 3-1 win at Preston North End offered little insight, as the squad had only resumed training five days earlier. However, the highlights from the 5-0 behind-closed-doors win over Stoke City were more revealing.
Admittedly, analysing a short clip doesn’t provide a full picture of tactical patterns. Nonetheless, Florian Wirtz made a strong impression on his first appearance since his £100 million switch from Bayer Leverkusen, while 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha continues to excite with his progress.
But it was a particular moment in the second half that stood out. It featured two players many see as direct competitors for the same position — Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley. Frimpong was brought in to cover for Trent Alexander-Arnold and to vie with Bradley for the right-back slot.
Both were on the pitch during the second half. Initially, Bradley played in midfield while Frimpong slotted in at right-back. However, when Ben Doak made way for Luca Stephenson late on, Bradley dropped into defence and Frimpong advanced into a more attacking position.
The pair combined brilliantly during one sequence. Bradley delivered the ball forward, Frimpong accelerated down the flank, opened up space with his pace, and pulled it back for Stephenson, who unfortunately fired over.
It was a notable moment. The explosive pace shared between Bradley and Frimpong overwhelmed Stoke’s defence and highlighted a new attacking option in Liverpool’s arsenal.
Mo Salah will continue to be the undisputed starter on the right wing. With 32 goals last season and a fresh two-year deal signed, his role remains central. But even players of Salah’s calibre have quiet games — such as the Carabao Cup final loss to Newcastle United.
Slot has lacked a natural replacement in those moments. Federico Chiesa hasn’t cemented his place in the coach’s plans. Harvey Elliott can operate on the flank but is more suited to a central attacking role, and Ben Doak’s future remains uncertain amid links to Nottingham Forest and Everton.
Now, Slot seems to have a contingency plan for occasions when Salah is off-colour. Leverkusen’s farewell message to Frimpong described him as a “Flügelsprinter” — or wing sprinter — underlining his ability to operate beyond a defensive role. During his time in Germany, Frimpong recorded an impressive 30 goals and 44 assists across 190 appearances, showcasing his attacking pedigree.
The old boxing adage says that speed kills. With Bradley and Frimpong operating in tandem, Liverpool could possess a duo capable of devastating opposing defences — and offering a potent Plan B.
In other news, Alexander Isak Liverpool Contract Would Get FSG Green-light as Striker Reveals His Hand