Arne Slot explains why Liverpool players are 'buying in' to his philosophy as Dutch coach opens up on 'small differences' with Jurgen Klopp

The Reds started their Premier League campaign with a comfortable 2-0 win over Ipswich and it was evident that they were gradually embracing the footballing philosophy of their new manager. Although Slot is trying to impose a more possession-based style, he insisted that the overall approach to the game remains consistent with what the players have been accustomed to under Klopp.

In an interview with Jamie Carragher for Sky Sports, Slot explained: "I believe the one reason why the players buy in [to my work] is that the differences are not that big. There are only small differences between Jurgen and me and the general idea of how we want to play football is quite similar."

Under Klopp, Liverpool was known for their high-octane style, often opting to play direct balls behind the opposition's defence at every opportunity. However, Slot is advocating for a more measured approach, where players are encouraged to assess the balance between "risk and reward" during matches.

"Liverpool used every moment they could to play the ball in behind [before]", he said. "That meant that the game was sometimes a bit open, especially in the last period of Jurgen. Sometimes I tell the players to get a better judgement in risk and reward.

"So if you can put some balls in front of the goalkeeper, please try and do so if not, it's also a good idea to keep the ball but I'm sure if Jurgen was in the room now he'd say he'd want to keep the ball once in a while too. In general, I see that still some players are trying to play the difficult ball which doesn't get the reward for the risk they take."

This weekend's fixture against Brentford will mark Slot's first experience managing from the home dugout at Anfield in a competitive match. The atmosphere at Anfield is legendary, and Slot is eager to see how it will inspire his team.

Reflecting on his expectations, Slot said, "One of the things you aim for as a manager is to create a style of play that the fans enjoy watching. If the supporters see that we're playing in a way they appreciate, they'll be much more positive, which in turn will help the team perform better."