Carragher Believes Matching Klopp's Last Season Would Spell Success For Slot

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Jamie Carragher believes that if Liverpool can match their third-place finish from Jurgen Klopp's final season, it would be a successful start for Arne Slot. Liverpool ended the 2023-24 season behind Manchester City and Arsenal, leading to Slot taking over from Klopp.

The Dutchman's debut league game saw Liverpool secure a 2-0 victory against newly promoted Ipswich Town. The Reds showcased an impressive second-half performance, creating the highest expected goals figure (2.65 xG) of any team on the opening day of the Premier League season.

Liverpool registered 15 shots and had 43 touches in Ipswich's area after halftime, with goals from Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah sealing the win. Despite this promising start, Carragher thinks fans will be understanding if Slot doesn't win any trophies in his first year.

Speaking as a Sky Sports pundit, Carragher said: "I don't think Liverpool supporters are expecting the world in the first season. They realise the situation he is coming into, I think Liverpool replicating what they did last season would be enough."

He praised Slot's decisiveness during the match, noting how he addressed issues at halftime effectively. "I was really impressed with a couple of things from the weekend. I was impressed with how decisive he was at half-time; he identified a problem and dealt with it," Carragher added.

Tactical Adaptations

Carragher also appreciated Slot's tactical flexibility when playing out from the back under pressure. "When I was watching Liverpool play out from the back, we've all played in those games on a dry pitch, the opposition are onto you. I liked what he said, that you don't need to keep playing short passes in those situations; you can go a bit longer."

Slot's approach contrasts with Klopp's style, yet fans chanted his name by the end of the game. However, Slot modestly shied away from this attention.

The early signs under Arne Slot suggest potential for growth and adaptation within Liverpool's squad. While immediate success may not be expected, building on last season’s achievements could set a solid foundation for future triumphs.