Rafa Benitez has spotted the REAL change Arne Slot made to Liverpool | OneFootball

Former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has shared his thoughts on how well Liverpool have adapted to life under Arne Slot.

Slot is the first head coach in the club's history to win 11 out of his first 12 games in charge. He is also in charge of the first Liverpool team to win each of their opening six away fixtures in a season. Now the Dutchman has a chance to extend that record with an upcoming clash against Arsenal.

It is no secret that Slot had big shoes to fill succeeding Jurgen Klopp who was the first manager to return Champions League glory to Anfield in 2019 since Benitez 14 years earlier.

However, Slot has adapted incredibly well to life on Merseyside.

Rafa spots real Liverpool change

In a piece for BBC Sport, Benitez speaks on how impressed he's been with Reds so far without changing too much too soon. “We don't know yet how this Liverpool side will react to adversity under Slot, but I have been impressed by what I have seen so far" said the 64-year-old.

Just because they have not been behind for very long in any of their games, does not mean they have not reacted and changed things during them, either.”

“They have been playing with great intensity all these years under Jurgen Klopp and it is very difficult to alter that straight away. Also, as Slot has said himself, it would be crazy to change it immediately.

"So, he is keeping the good things Klopp had and, at the same time, he is giving them a little bit of defensive balance and organisation, which allows him to change their approach when he needs to."

© IMAGO - Arne Slot and Trent Alexander-Arnold

How have Liverpool changed?

Since coming in, Slot has given the first team a new set of tools in order to succeed, as well as revolutionising a number of players.

Trent-Alexander Arnold revolutionised the right-back position, adding creativity from the role that's never been seen before, however he was often criticised for his defending. But this season his defensive game has been much stronger which is testament to Slot's team.

The 26-year-old confirmed that things have definitely changed under the Dutchman: "[The role] depends on the game because if you think of Man United away, I played almost like a No.10. I was higher up the pitch because of the way they pressed," Alexander-Arnold told Liverpoolfc.com.

"In certain games, I'll be inside because of the way they [the opposition] press – sometimes they press differently. It all varies on how they press."

© IMAGO

Gravenberch and Diaz transformed

Two more players who seem to be thriving playing for Slot are Ryan Gravenberch and Luis Diaz.

Gravenberch had a difficult start to life at Anfield under Klopp seeing very little game time. When Liverpool failed to sign a defensive midfielder after being snubbed by Martin Zubimendi in the summer, Gravenberch was chosen to step into the role and has excelled in every game, putting in man-of-the-match performances regularly, making him one of the best DM's in the world.

Luis Diaz on the other hand, has also had an impressive start to the season scoring five goals in seven Premier League games. He only managed eight goals in the 37 appearances last season and had been linked with a move away from Merseyside.

While Cody Gakpo is also doing well under Slot and is really challenging Diaz for the starting left-winger role.

Benitez optimistic about Liverpool's chances

In his column, Benitez went on to add: "Against Chelsea, they were dropping off a little bit more, but they can still press high. Similarly, they can play penetrating passes forward, or they can use the wide areas and attack with the wingers overlapping.

"Slot is giving the team more tools, to be sure they can react and adjust depending on the opponent - or so they can impose their own way to play, because if they are much better than the other team they can control possession in the opposition half, and try to find ways to create chances.

"Overall, I think they have more balance and if they can continue to carry a threat in attack then we have already seen that they don't concede too many goals. Put that together, and it is the key to being successful.

"They are definitely on the right path, and in a good place to go to the Emirates on Sunday.”

In a way Slot and Benitez are very similar when it comes to coaching Liverpool. Both coaches are very much pragmatic and utilise a number of different playing styles depending on the opposition.