If you have listened to any of Arne Slot’s news conferences this season, you will have heard the Liverpool manager refer to ‘low blocks’.
The term essentially refers to a team’s defensive shape – blocking space close to their own goal. The closer to their goal, the lower the block.
Slot’s side – who cruised to the Premier League title last season in his first year in charge – have struggled for fluidity and consistency this term.
And one of the reasons for that, according to the Reds boss, has been their inability to break down sides who defend deep against them.
But Slot’s mentions of low blocks have become so frequent that frustration has started to grow among fans.
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard said: “He needs to stop mentioning low blocks. Low blocks have been happening against Liverpool since I was playing. That’s just the way it is.”
However, Slot may have a point – with the Reds having faced the highest percentage of low blocks of any top-flight team this season – making up 26% of defensive tactics used against them.
In fact, the space Slot’s side thrived in last year only seems to present itself against European sides in the Champions League, with Liverpool having scored nine goals – and conceded none – in their past two games in Europe.
So why are the Reds struggling against low blocks domestically, how are they trying to unlock them and what could they do better?