Liverpool made the right call in passing on Ruben Amorim due to concerns over his preferred formation, ultimately hitting the jackpot with Arne Slot. Now, Manchester United face the challenge of a major rebuild to align with their manager's vision.

 Arne Slot's Seamless Transition at Liverpool Highlights United's Struggles Under Ruben Amorim

Arne Slot has made a near-flawless transition into the Liverpool hot seat, justifying the club’s decision to choose him over Ruben Amorim. Last April, both coaches were vying for domestic titles—Slot with Feyenoord in the Netherlands and Amorim with Sporting in Portugal—but behind the scenes, they were also competing to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.

Amorim, initially considered the frontrunner, publicly denied engaging with Liverpool in early April, claiming his focus was solely on Sporting's title race. Meanwhile, Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes quietly flew to Rotterdam to meet Slot, who confirmed discussions were ongoing. By the end of the month, Liverpool’s decision was clear, and Slot was appointed. Nine months later, the choice appears a masterstroke as Slot prepares to face Amorim's Manchester United for the first time in vastly different circumstances.

Data-Driven Decision

Liverpool had the advantage of time, with Klopp informing the club of his departure in November 2023, well before the official announcement. Guided by their data-driven philosophy, Liverpool's recruitment process focused on finding a manager who could maintain their high-intensity style.

Will Spearman, Liverpool’s head of research, spearheaded the search with an algorithm that assessed coaching performance based on metrics like playing style, player development, and squad compatibility. Slot scored highest, his Feyenoord side displaying tactical and stylistic similarities to Klopp’s Liverpool, such as their speed of play and ball progression.

Amorim, though highly regarded, raised concerns due to his reliance on a back-three system, which would have required significant adjustments to Liverpool's existing squad. Opting for Slot allowed Liverpool to build on their successful formula without starting from scratch.

Slot’s Tactical Evolution

Slot has subtly tweaked Liverpool’s style, introducing greater control in midfield by deploying Ryan Gravenberch as a holding midfielder, narrowing the full-backs to combat counterattacks, and repositioning Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz for more attacking fluidity. These adjustments have enhanced Liverpool's consistency while retaining their identity, enabling a seamless transition from Klopp’s tenure.

Amorim’s Uphill Battle at United

In contrast, Amorim faces a steep challenge at Manchester United. While his tactical philosophy and charisma appealed to a club in desperate need of direction, United’s squad lacks the athleticism and technical profile required for his system.

This mismatch was evident in United’s recent loss to Newcastle, where an aging midfield and an ill-suited front line struggled to execute Amorim’s high-energy tactics. Players like Christian Eriksen and Casemiro lack the pace for Amorim's preferred system, while others like Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho are ill-fitted to the positional play he demands.

A Club in Crisis

United’s problems run deeper than tactics. With Financial Fair Play constraints and co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe enforcing budget cuts, Amorim has little room for squad reinforcements. Limited training time due to a congested schedule further hampers his ability to instill his philosophy.

The results have been disastrous: United are on their worst losing streak since 1961 and face daunting fixtures against Liverpool and Arsenal. Amorim has acknowledged the difficulty of implementing his vision under such constraints, but without significant change, the team’s struggles are likely to continue.

Liverpool’s Resurgence

Meanwhile, Liverpool are thriving under Slot, enjoying their best run since their 2019-20 title-winning season. Sunday's clash with United evokes memories of Liverpool’s dominance in January 2020, when they defeated United to extend a massive lead at the top of the table.

While the result at Anfield won’t define the season, it underscores the stark contrast between the two clubs. Liverpool’s foresight in choosing Slot has allowed them to maintain their trajectory, while United’s decision to gamble on Amorim highlights the risks of appointing a coach whose philosophy doesn’t align with the squad.

Slot’s success not only honors Klopp’s legacy but builds upon it, while Amorim’s potential remains stifled by the lack of tools needed to execute his vision. For Liverpool, the choice of Slot is already proving to be the right one.