‘A Tale of Two Halves’ – Dave Hendrick Reflects on Liverpool’s Victory Over Wolves | OneFootball

Liverpool’s Gritty Win Over Wolves: Analysing Arne Slot’s Influence on the Reds

Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over Wolves at the weekend may not have been the Reds’ finest performance, but it was a vital three points in a season where results are beginning to speak louder than performances. Reflecting on the match and the broader context of Liverpool’s current campaign, the Anfield Index podcast provided in-depth analysis of the Reds’ development under new manager Arne Slot.

Liverpool’s Evolution Under Arne Slot

Arne Slot, the former Feyenoord boss who took the reins at Liverpool after Jürgen Klopp’s departure in May 2024, has had an impressive start to life at Anfield. Despite inheriting a side in transition, Slot’s tactical philosophy is already beginning to bear fruit, as Dave Hendrick highlighted on the Daily Red podcast: “What’s impressive is that we’ve done this with the managerial change.” Slot’s focus on breaking defensive lines through the middle, a staple of his Feyenoord team, is still a work in progress at Liverpool. However, as Hendrick explained, this shift is essential for creating easier chances: “That’s a big part of what Arne Slot used to do when he was at Feyenoord.”

The current iteration of Liverpool, while not the finished article, is adapting to Slot’s methods. He has not completely overhauled Klopp’s system but is gradually implementing his own ideas. “He’s not going to overload them with information… It’s a drastic difference [from Klopp],” said Hendrick. Slot’s phased approach is giving Liverpool time to adjust to the new tactics, while keeping the winning momentum.

Wolves Match Breakdown: A Tale of Two Halves

Liverpool’s win against Wolves was far from smooth sailing. The Reds struggled in the first half, with Wolves’ combative midfield causing problems. Hendrick pointed out the midfield imbalance, which contributed to Wolves’ early dominance: “Their midfield was very combative, and that caused us some issues… none of [our midfielders] looked good at all in the first half.”

Photo: IMAGO

Despite the initial difficulties, Liverpool showed resilience, and a much-improved second-half performance, aided by some tired Wolves legs, helped them secure the win. Hendrick also praised Liverpool’s defensive solidity, largely attributing it to the centre-back pairing of Ibrahima Konaté and Virgil van Dijk: “The two centre-backs were outrageously good.” Even with Wolves finding joy down Liverpool’s right flank, thanks to the tricky Rayan Aït-Nouri, the Reds held firm. The moment of miscommunication between Alisson and Konaté for Wolves’ goal, however, was one of the few blemishes in an otherwise commanding performance from the defensive duo.

Salah’s Struggles Against Physical Defenders

Mohamed Salah, a pivotal figure for Liverpool for several seasons, had a mixed game against Wolves. Despite his usual flashes of brilliance, Salah found himself frustrated by Wolves’ physical approach. Aït-Nouri, in particular, was a constant thorn in his side. “Mo had a weird game… There were moments where he looked poor, and there were moments where he looked good,” said Hendrick. Salah’s struggles were compounded by what Hendrick described as questionable refereeing decisions, particularly in one instance where Salah was wrestled to the ground by Aït-Nouri, only for a free kick to be awarded against him: “It was like some sort of Greco-Roman hybrid type of grappling.”

Still, Salah’s contribution should not be underestimated. Despite the tough physical battle, Salah continues to rack up goal contributions at an impressive rate. Hendrick summed it up perfectly: “Mo has nine goal contributions already this season, which is pretty spectacular for someone who’s allegedly washed.”

Arne Slot’s Challenge: Maintaining Momentum in Tougher Fixtures

Looking ahead, Liverpool’s fixture list presents much sterner tests, with upcoming games against Chelsea, Arsenal, and Brighton. Hendrick noted the importance of maintaining their unbeaten away record in these tough matches: “We’ve won all our away games so far this season, and that’s a trend that would be very beneficial to us if it continues.” He also emphasised the need for midfield balance and tighter defensive organisation as the season progresses. Slot’s tactical philosophy will be further tested in these games, as he seeks to blend Liverpool’s attacking potency with a more solid defensive structure.

Liverpool fans will be keeping a close eye on how the team navigates this challenging period, and Hendrick believes it will be a true test of Slot’s tenure: “Coming out of that, we’ll know what this team is made of… and if it’s capable of competing for the Premier League title.”

With Slot’s gradual tactical tweaks and a squad full of talent, Liverpool is well-positioned to maintain their title challenge. However, the next few weeks will reveal whether the Reds can handle the pressure against stronger opposition, and whether Slot’s philosophy can bring long-term success to Anfield.