Arne Slot learns from huge Liverpool mistake as Stephen Warnock makes ‘imperative’ tactical observation

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Liverpool boss Arne Slot finally turned their poor form around in style with a huge 5-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League – and Stephen Warnock noted that Arne Slot made an ‘imperative’ tweak that set them on the road to victory.

The Reds had lost four games in a row in all competitions prior to their visit to Germany, with three losses in the Premier League and one in the Champions League away at Turkish side Galatasaray seeing their defeats tally tot up.

Liverpool would have had a further sinking feeling when Rasmus Kristensen scored the opener for the Bundesliga outfit, potentially seeing them go five games in a row without a single point. But three first-half goals in just nine minutes turned the game on its head, before a further two in the second half ensured a rout.

However, Arne Slot’s tactics were praised by Stephen Warnock for one key tweak, with the former Liverpool star noting that Slot’s two central midfielders sat extremely deep to null any notion of them being hit on the counter attack.

Stephen Warnock praises Arne Slot for setting Liverpool up perfectly

In previous games, Liverpool’s defence has been hurt under a turnover in possession.

Galatasaray won a penalty thanks to a quick counter-attack, which led to a foul by Dominik Szoboszlai in the penalty area, and that proved to be the only goal of the Champions League loss.

Moises Caicedo was also given freedom in the centre of the park to unleash a world-class strike into the top corner in Liverpool’s loss vs Chelsea earlier this month, whilst Bryan Mbeumo’s opener for Manchester United over the weekend was as a result of midfield freedom – despite Liverpool protesting after a head injury to Alexis Mac Allister.

It was a problem that massively contributed to their poor form, and it was an issue that needed fixing immediately.

And Warnock pointed out that Slot had finally found that correct balance in Germany, helping them record an emphatic 5-1 win. He told BBC Sport: “Liverpool are still on the front foot and still being very positive.

“But, at the same time, they have found the right balance between attack and defence.

“They are dominating the ball and looking for more goals, but their two defensive midfielders, Szoboszlai and Jones, are holding their position more than they were in the first half.

“Which is imperative for making this system work.”

Slot could now use that blueprint to record future success in the top-flight as the Reds bid to retain the title, with Liverpool having won the Premier League last season.

Jamie Carragher had previously blasted Liverpool for doing the opposite

It wasn’t long ago that Liverpool were criticised for letting teams burst through their midfield with ease.

Club legend Jamie Carragher was not happy with Arne Slot in the Champions League defeat to Galatasaray at the end of last month.

And Sky Sports pundit Carragher had slammed Liverpool’s defending before the Premier League season had even begun in the Community Shield vs Crystal Palace in early August.

He stated that Liverpool were like a ‘basketball team’, with a frantic end-to-end nature opening gaps in their midfield area, having lost a lot of defensive nous.

With Warnock noting Slot’s observation to learn from the mistakes Carragher set out, Liverpool ended up scoring five in emphatic fashion to record their biggest win of the season.

And it’s a formula he should follow in the Premier League after a wobble in form over the past few weeks.