Three Different Liverpool Heroes, One Arne Slot

"Liverpool and dramatic victories at the end of the match." If the story of Liverpool in the first three matches of the Premier League were to be made into a film, that would be the most fitting title. Mohamed Salah and his teammates have always faced a multitude of problems, yet they manage to find instant solutions like a magician.

Included in the high-level chess match against Arsenal at Anfield Stadium, Sunday (31/8/2025) WIB. Liverpool seemed to have no answer to Arsenal, who came in with the status of the team with the best defense. Both teams covered each other's strengths very neatly.

At least that was the case during the match that lasted 82 minutes, while the score remained 0-0. "If both teams played ten times in the same manner, eight times it would end in a draw. We won once and Arsenal won once. It takes a magical moment to win, which we got from Dominik (Szoboszlai)," said Liverpool Coach Arne Slot, as quoted by the club's official website.

Szoboszlai, the midfielder who played as a makeshift full-back in that match, separated the two teams with a beautiful free-kick from 30 meters. Such magical moments don't come every week. Proof of this, according to Opta, is that it had been 18 years since Liverpool last won from a direct free-kick (Steven Gerrard vs. Aston Villa, August 2007).

However, that is the reality. It was indeed Szoboszlai's day. The Hungarian national team player has practiced free kicks thousands of times for that one eternal moment. He deserves all the praise at Anfield. In addition to his beautiful goal, he also performed solidly, filling the gap in the wing-back position.

Regardless of Szoboszlai's brilliance, credit should be given to Slot. The coach indirectly inspired that moment through many correct decisions in the second half. Slot took greater risks following his team's passive performance during the first 45 minutes.

After the break, Liverpool employed a one-on-one defensive scheme during high pressing. So aggressive was their approach that during one possession by Arsenal at the beginning of the second half, four Liverpool players pressed all the way into the penalty area. Previously, they had relied more on a zonal defensive scheme.

The momentum of the game shifted, as evidenced by ball possession. Arsenal had a slight advantage in the first half with 50.5 percent. In the 15 minutes following halftime, Liverpool dominated with 67.7 percent. This change in "wind" prompted Slot's subsequent decision.

Slot replaced midfielder Alexis Mac Allister with Curtis Jones in the 61st minute. Mac Allister, who had been playing as a holding midfielder, was no longer needed as Liverpool had established control of the midfield. His role was filled by Szoboszlai, who began implementing the idea of an inverted full-back.

Jones was brought in with a more offensive objective to exploit gaps in the opponent's third. Jones played alongside attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz. The opportunity finally came in the 80th minute, as Jones broke free and drew a foul in the opponent's area. That was the beginning of Szoboszlai's goal.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher had been highly critical of Slot's defensive approach in the first two matches. However, he changed his opinion last night and began praising Slot. "Liverpool's change in pressing style from Slot was the biggest difference in the second half," he told X.

Liverpool enters the international break with three victories from three league matches. Interestingly, all of these were achieved through winning goals scored after the 80th minute. The heroes varied, from Federico Chiesa (against Bournemouth) to Rio Ngumoha (against Newcastle).

I've met Slot several times and discussed football. When it comes to tactics, he's brilliant.

If we look back at the previous two matches, Slot's significant role is once again evident. Against Bournemouth, he boldly played Chiesa, who has rarely featured since last season and is rumored to be transferring. Against Newcastle, the coach fielded Ngumoha, who is not yet 17 years old.

Specially, all those important decisions were made during critical moments with a mediocre team depth, when most coaches would rely on key players. A different slot. He not only can see gaps on the field but also dares to make very risky decisions from outside the field.

It is only natural that when Slot led the champions of last season's league, "The Reds" emerged as the team with the most points after initially trailing (23 points). The Dutch coach must be acknowledged as the most solution-oriented figure in England at present.

Dutch football legend Marco van Basten has been spreading the word about Slot's genius since last year. "I've met him several times and discussed football with him. He's brilliant tactically. I'm rarely impressed by a coach. He'll be successful anywhere because of his intelligence," he told The Mirror.

Liverpool is set to have two of the most expensive players in the history of the Premier League, Alexander Isak and Wirtz. However, from the stories of three different heroes this season and the success of the previous season, the greatest treasure within "The Reds" is a Slot. A figure who has the appearance of an ordinary father, yet always manages to create extraordinary surprises.