Slot convinced Liverpool are now “progressing”

Tottenham fixture shaped by context and change

Liverpool’s forthcoming clash with Tottenham is being framed internally as a test shaped by evolution rather than familiarity. Speaking ahead of the meeting, Arne Slot was keen to distance the contest from any superficial comparison with last season, pointing to significant changes on both sides.

“It took us 92 minutes to score away against Brentford last season, a Thomas Frank team,” Slot said. “They’ve added a few players and have a new manager, so I don’t think you can compare our games of last season to this season. We have added but lost a lot of players as well.”

The message is clear. Tottenham are no longer the same proposition Liverpool encountered previously, and Slot’s own squad has been reshaped enough to render old reference points unreliable. New personnel, altered dynamics and different tactical emphases mean preparation has focused on current behaviours rather than historical outcomes.

Tottenham’s adaptation under a new head coach has brought subtle shifts in structure and tempo, while Liverpool’s own transition under Slot remains a work in progress. This fixture, therefore, is less about reputation and more about application.

Photo: IMAGO

Slot outlining Liverpool’s progress

Slot has been consistent in his assessment of Liverpool’s development since his arrival. Rather than leaning heavily on results alone, the Liverpool head coach has repeatedly highlighted performance trends, physical output and availability as more accurate indicators of progress.

“I hope we will all see this in results, but I think we are progressing,” Slot explained. “I had to play players who weren’t fit too many times this season. I’m not talking only about the new players.”

Those comments reflect the reality of Liverpool’s early-season challenges. Fitness concerns forced compromises in selection, limiting the side’s ability to execute Slot’s high-intensity demands consistently across 90 minutes. Several players were operating below optimal levels, affecting cohesion and sharpness in key moments.

Yet Slot’s tone has remained calm rather than defensive, rooted in the belief that structural improvement would follow physical stability.

Momentum linked to fitness and performance

For Slot, momentum is not an abstract concept but a by-product of conditioning and repetition. As players regain full fitness, the collective performance has begun to align more closely with the coaching staff’s expectations.

“I see players progressing in terms of their fitness and, as a result of that, their performances,” Slot continued. “I think we are definitely making progress.”

That progress has been evident in Liverpool’s ability to sustain pressing phases, recover possession more efficiently and manage games with greater control. The squad’s improved physical profile has also allowed Slot greater tactical flexibility, reducing the need for enforced selection gambles.

Against Tottenham, those gains will be tested. Spurs are capable of stretching matches and forcing opponents into high-tempo exchanges, particularly through quick transitions. Liverpool’s capacity to maintain structure while matching that intensity will be central to whether momentum can be converted into a positive result.

Tottenham as a momentum indicator

Tottenham’s season has fluctuated, making them a challenging benchmark. Their attacking threat remains potent, but defensive vulnerabilities persist, offering opportunities for well-organised opponents. For Liverpool, this fixture represents a chance to turn underlying progress into something more tangible.

Slot has resisted framing matches as turning points, but there is recognition that momentum must eventually be reflected on the scoreboard. A strong performance against Tottenham would validate the steady approach taken so far and reinforce confidence in the direction of travel.

More importantly, it would demonstrate that Slot’s Liverpool are moving beyond adaptation and towards consolidation. Fitness levels are rising, performances are stabilising and belief is building. Whether that momentum continues will be shaped in north London, against an opponent undergoing its own period of change.

Source: Sports Yahoo