Slot has ´rejuvenated´ Liverpool attackers with position changes, says Carragher

Jamie Carragher has credited Arne Slot with rejuvenating Liverpool attackers Luiz Diaz, Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah by tweaking the configuration of their frontline.

Slot has certainly not been overawed by filling the sizeable shoes of Jurgen Klopp upon taking the reins at Anfield, leading Liverpool to the top of the Premier League table.

The Reds crushed West Ham 5-0 at the London Stadium on Sunday to make it four straight wins over the festive period, and the Opta supercomputer now gives them a huge 91.3% chance of being crowned champions of England for a record-equalling 20th time.

Diaz, Gakpo and Salah were all on target in the first half of Liverpool’s most recent game, and they now have 43 goals between them in all competitions this season (Diaz 12, Gakpo 11, Salah 20).

Salah already has 30 goal involvements in 18 Premier League games this term (17 goals, 13 assists), the fewest appearances any player has needed to reach 30 contributions in a single term.

While Salah has stepped up a level from his usual right-wing role, Diaz and Gakpo have traded positions in recent weeks, with the former playing as a central striker and the Netherlands international operating from the left.

Speaking as a pundit on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, Carragher hailed Slot for making that change, saying: “When I talk about Slot, Liverpool didn’t buy players in the summer.

“He’s rejuvenated so many different players. Gakpo looks a different player, Diaz looks a different player, [Ryan] Gravenberch in midfield… even Mo Salah!

“It’s only been five games since Diaz has been the centre-forward, starting with the [Bayer] Leverkusen game, and just look at those numbers.

“Slot’s not a million miles away from Jurgen Klopp, it’s just what he’s done with certain players. Previously, Gakpo would have been down the middle and Diaz would have been on the left.

“Gakpo looks a completely different player on the left, compared to under Klopp, and Diaz looks better playing through the centre.

“That is not to be critical of Jurgen Klopp, but that little touch from Arne Slot has made such a massive difference.”

Diaz and Gakpo have both showcased their excellent finishing this season, significantly overperforming their underlying expected goals (xG) figures.

Gakpo’s 11 goals in all competitions have come from chances worth just 5.9 xG, with Diaz netting 12 times from 7.7 xG. They both rank among the top 30 overperforming players in Europe’s top five leagues (who have played at least 10 games with xG data available).

The Reds are next in action against rivals Manchester United on Sunday, having already beaten the Red Devils 3-0 on the road in August, with Diaz scoring a brace.