Arne Slot Explains How Liverpool Destroyed Manchester United

Arne Slot successfully carried out his tactics to destroy Manchester United (Instagram/@liverpoolfc).

JAKARTA - Liverpool succeeded in submerging Manchester United with a score of 3-0 in the third week of the 2024/2024 Premier League, Sunday, September 1, 2024, at Old Trafford.

The Reds' three goals stemmed from the mistakes of the Red Devils midfielder Casemiro (twice) and Kobbie Mainoo (one time).

Despite the goal creations due to the opponent's mistakes, Liverpool actually succeeded in carrying out tactics.

The Kop manager, Arne Slot, revealed how his tactics went well and succeeded in exploiting Manchester United's weaknesses.

Slot has studied ahead of time the change in Erik ten Hag's tactics from last season. According to him, the change made the gap in structural weaknesses even more exposed.

"Last season, they took care of the midfield and put pressure on the wingers. So, with the striker and one of the wingers, they pushed together."

"This season, they put more pressure on number wingers. So, they use 4-4-2 more formations," Slot said on Sky Sports.

Slot further managed to take advantage of the weakness well. He saw Manchester United players have a high defensive line.

This made Liverpool easily counterattack quickly considering that they had put Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah on the sides of the attack.

The tactics also function for defense. Keeping Diaz and Salah on the front lines forced the attacking side of Manchester United to not get support and ended up in a one-on-one situation.

"It's different, of course. In my opinion, they work harder if the ball is played through them. So, they run more. At least, that's what I saw in their first game."

"Their style too, maybe last season, full-backs were very high (too out of the post) and then Casemiro entered among them."

"So if you take the ball (in midfield), you can keep Diaz and Mo Salah high (on the opponent's defensive line). So, you are constantly in one-on-one situations."

"Then you need a midfielder who can run. We have three who keep running. If they come in a duel, they are aggressive enough to win it."

"So, in my opinion, that's one of the main reasons why we were able to win," Slot said again.

Slot added that there would be a big bet keeping the wingers high if they didn't come back (hold).

Fortunately, the two Liverpool wingers did a good defensive job in the match against Manchester United.

Liverpool's other advantage is that Manchester United full-backs often get the wrong position. It was also what made the Reds succeed in carrying out their strategy on both wings.

The structural error was realized by Manchester United legend Roy Keane. He highlighted the fact that Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui were both trapped in the wrong position.

"The mistake of Casemiro here regardless of all his experience. It's not the first pass, it's not worth the risk. When they (the Liverpool players) lose (the ball), they're everywhere."

"They've done this in the last few games and managed to do it.

"Look at the defenders, where are the defenders? Where are the defenders? You are not in control. You can't lose the ball easily and it's happened several times. Of course it's brutal to this level," said Roy Keane.

Meanwhile, Arne Slot's tactic that emphasizes one-on-one fighting on the wing clearly benefits Liverpool.

Judging by the attack scheme, this tactic allows Diaz and Salah to often get free space. Then looking at the defense side, the situation forced Manchester United's wings to not get support and had to fight one on one.

Just look at Alejandro Garnacho's right-wing who had a hard time throughout the game because he couldn't beat Andy Robertson. He was even pinched in his own defensive area.