Alexander-Arnold and Salah Shine in Liverpool’s Victory Over Newcastle | OneFootball

Liverpool’s Tactical Evolution Under Arne Slot: Newcastle Analysis from Under Pressure Podcast

Liverpool’s recent 2-0 win over Newcastle United was a performance that showcased both tactical discipline and individual brilliance. Analysing the match on Anfield Index’s Under Pressure Podcast, Dan Kennett was joined by Simon Brundish and Phil Barter to break down key moments, including Trent Alexander-Arnold’s passing, Mohamed Salah’s intelligence, and Liverpool’s defensive structure. Their discussion provided deep insight into how Arne Slot’s Liverpool is shaping up.

Trent Alexander-Arnold: Vision and Execution

Trent’s passing was a focal point of the conversation, with Brundish emphasising his sheer quality. “Some of Trent’s passing was just exquisite,” he remarked, highlighting his ability to execute difficult passes with precision. Kennett added, “He is playing a 40-yard pass whenever he gets that goddamn ball and it’s going to sizzle between five players and spin on a plate.” This aggressive, high-risk passing style defines Trent’s approach, and as Brundish put it, “Trent just goes for the highest tariff difficulty with everything.”

Yet, this approach wasn’t without its frustrations. As Barter noted, “One of those sharp, quick passing moves nearly results in an outstanding second goal, but Szoboszlai’s shot just curls slightly wide.” The risk-reward balance in Trent’s passing remains a crucial factor in Liverpool’s tactical setup.

Mohamed Salah: The Master of Time

Salah’s performance was another key talking point, with Brundish describing his ability to manipulate time in key moments. “Mo is taking in the wind blowing in this direction, the fact it was absolutely pissing it down, all of those players around him… but at no point was he going to shoot,” he explained. Instead, Salah deliberately pulled defenders out of position before slipping the ball perfectly into Alexis Mac Allister’s path for Liverpool’s second goal.

Phil Barter echoed this sentiment, comparing Salah’s awareness to an elite athlete in peak form. “It’s what we call the ‘Nana’ state, this elevated level of performance,” he said, drawing parallels to Lionel Messi’s late-career adaptation. Despite his dribbling stats showing ten failed attempts against Lewis Hall, Salah still carried the highest expected threat from dribbles and carries in the match, even outpacing Luis Díaz.

Liverpool’s Defensive Discipline and Endō’s Impact

A recurring theme throughout the discussion was Liverpool’s improved game management, particularly in seeing out matches. Brundish pointed out a significant shift: “Up until Everton, Man United, and Fulham, we threw away four leads. In all of those games, Endō didn’t even get a minute.” Since then, Liverpool have adjusted, with Endō coming on late in recent matches to help solidify the midfield. “When Endō’s played 20 minutes, we haven’t conceded a goal,” noted Barter.

Photo: IMAGO

The stats support this change. Liverpool’s possession control, which averaged minus 83 over the season, has improved to minus 48 and minus 56 in the last two games. As Barter put it, “Suddenly we look better, and oh, our possession control is so much better. Funny how that works.”

Looking Ahead

Liverpool’s win against Newcastle wasn’t just about the result—it was about the evolution of Slot’s tactics. From Trent’s passing to Salah’s intelligence and Endō’s growing influence, the team is finding new ways to dominate games. As Kennett concluded, “This league is never dead—you still need to put a killer on late in games.”

With a crucial clash against Paris Saint-Germain on the horizon, Liverpool will need to maintain this balance between control and aggression. If Salah continues his Neo in The Matrix performances, as Brundish joked, and Trent keeps delivering those pinpoint passes, Slot’s Liverpool could be in for an exciting end to the season.