Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott has called new manager Arne Slot’s style of play “really enjoyable” but said his Reds squad have had to “kind of forget” the ideas introduced by predecessor Jurgen Klopp during his final two seasons in charge.
Slot officially took over on June 1, succeeding Klopp after the German chose to end a tenure which began in October 2015.
“It’s a lot different for obvious reasons – new management in, new staff, new style of play,” Elliott told LiverpoolFC.com.
Slick 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/teZkAgGpDI
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“We’re all trying to get our heads around it. But we’ve had a few weeks now, played a [training] game back in Liverpool and I feel like the lads are coping really, really well.
“Especially with the style of play, it’s really enjoyable to play in and it’s a new skill to learn. It’s a great opportunity to learn things and learn different things. To do it out here, it’s great.”
Liverpool ‘will be fine’ under Slot
Klopp is known as a pioneer of gegenpressing – winning possession as high up the pitch as possible in an intense, counter-attacking style that has also been dubbed heavy metal football.
Slot’s style from his successful spell at Eredivisie side Feyenoord is not entirely dissimilar, but Liverpool’s players have acknowledged the changes required.
“It’s one of them where you need to kind of forget what you’ve learned in the last couple of years and learn new things,” said Elliott.
“That’s football. You’re always learning, you’re always having to adapt and be a better player, a better person.
“We just need to keep on going and keep listening to the staff and the boss, and make sure we apply it in games and training sessions. I’m sure we’ll be fine.”
The Reds are in action Stateside tonight 🙌🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/opi63majXb
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Slot vs Klopp: ‘Everybody’s happy’
Two of Elliott’s team-mates have also discussed Slot’s methods during their pre-season tour of the US. “It’s a little bit different – the style of playing, how we play, how we are with the ball and also against the ball,” Dominik Szoboszlai told the club.
“Everybody’s new from the training staff. We are getting to know them but until now I think everybody’s happy with it and looking forward. It’s quite intense but we have a lot of things to do and we need to be intense in the season as well.”
Curtis Jones described Dutchman Slot as “amazing”. “It’s probably the happiest I’ve been in terms of a style of play that suits me,” Jones added earlier this week.
Love it, Curtis 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/u0YBOiWWb4
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“It’s a clear plan in training and he’s fully involved, coaching us a lot. He’s big on the finer details. He’s got a certain way of playing – he knows it will take time as it’s a big change, but him and his staff are chilled about it as they know the quality is all there.
“In the past it was a rush to get the ball back – a bit too direct, up and down, up and down. Now we want to have all the ball and completely kill a team.”
Liverpool fixtures: Betis on US tour
Slot’s first match in charge will be against Spanish side Real Betis on Saturday in Pittsburgh (12.30am BST).
They then face Arsenal in Pennsylvania on August 1 (12.30am) and Manchester United in North Carolina on August 4 (12.45am).
The Reds host Spanish visitors Sevilla at Anfield on August 11 (12.30pm) before travelling to Ipswich Town on August 17 (12.30pm) for their Premier League opener.
The match against the newly-promoted side at Portman Road will be Slot’s first competitive game as a manager in England.