Arne Slot’s Tactical Discipline Delivers Derby Delight for Liverpool
In a contest that rarely adheres to form, Liverpool’s narrow 1-0 win over Everton in the 246th Merseyside derby at Anfield was one of patience, control and tactical discipline. Arne Slot, in his first season at the helm, continues to mould this team in his image—less chaotic than Klopp’s high-octane machine, more measured and deliberate, but no less effective.
Everton, buoyed by a nine-match unbeaten run and a defensive record any top-six side would envy, didn’t make things easy. David Moyes’ side stayed compact and rigid, defending with ten men behind the ball while relying on the pace and physicality of Beto to launch sporadic counters. Liverpool were well aware of the challenge. “Hard-fought, definitely, but that was no surprise,” Slot admitted. “Everton hardly ever concede a goal, hardly ever concede a chance.”
Diogo Jota brilliance cuts through Everton resilience
For over an hour, Liverpool probed, recycled possession and relied heavily on Luis Díaz’s one-on-one matchups against Jake O’Brien to find a crack in Everton’s defensive wall. But when the moment came, it was Diogo Jota who produced it. The Portuguese forward danced inside the penalty area, twisted, turned, and drove a low finish past Jordan Pickford, igniting the Kop and restoring Liverpool’s 12-point cushion at the Premier League summit.
Slot wasn’t just pleased—it was relief as much as reward. “He found just a bit of space and he scored the goal, which was nice for him but nice for us – and by us, I mean his teammates, the staff and the fans.”
Jota had already threatened in the first half, only to see his shot blocked by the ever-alert Everton backline. But it was the kind of moment Slot’s football is increasingly built upon—methodical, patient construction followed by sudden incision.
Curtis Jones adapts to unfamiliar role
With Liverpool missing all three of their recognised right-backs—Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez—Slot turned to Curtis Jones in an unconventional but ultimately effective decision.
“It’s something that I’ve thought about and we’ve thought about for a bit longer,” said Slot. “In the first half of the season there were already moments where I talked about this with him… I knew that he could help with his creativity in this position because that’s what you lack of course when Trent is not playing.”
