Liverpool are steadily improving under Arne Slot, and the Reds have moved to the top of the Premier League table after six games.
Slot has not made major changes to the side; rather, many players have suggested that the Dutchman has made certain tweaks to the system.
The Dutchman acknowledges the fact that he has inherited a fantastic squad from Jurgen Klopp and that there is already a great system in place.
Ryan Gravenberch is arguably the best player of the season so far for Liverpool, and he is like a player reborn. But there are other players who have maintained an enviable consistency.
One of such players who has hugely benefitted under Slot is defender Ibrahima Konate. The Frenchman was a regular under Klopp, but he lost his place in the side to Jarrell Quansah towards the end of last season.
He has become the first-choice defender alongside Virgil van Dijk, and their partnership has blossomed as the season progressed. Van Dijk has hailed him as an “unbelievable” defender after his recent performances this season.
According to a report from The Athletic, Konate has hugely benefitted from Slot’s less intense training regime and playing style. As a result of this, he is recovering quickly after games and has been able to stay fit and build momentum that has previously eluded him.
Coach Aaron Briggs has worked closely with the club’s analysts to help Liverpool’s defenders maximise the aerial threat. Konate has been given the target to score four goals this season.
Konate has been encouraged by the club to play out long balls from the back and exploit space behind, and individual video analysis has been really beneficial to the players.
The minor tactical tweaks made by Slot have helped Konate a lot. Trent Alexander-Arnold now plays as a conventional right-back, and he has the tactical understanding of when to drift centrally and when to stay in his position.
As a result, Konate now does not need to cover a lot of ground to fill both roles. Plus, there is Van Dijk, who has once again returned to his old best. But most importantly, the back four has been properly shielded by Ryan Gravenberch, who is very comfortable on the ball and provides extra protection.
Quansah is a highly talented defender, but he will need to wait for his chances. At the moment, Konate is undroppable.
