Arne Slot has revealed that Curtis Jones will fill in as right-back during the upcoming Merseyside derby, departing from his decision to bench Jarell Quansah and not place Conor Bradley in the lineup. Slot has seen fit to put Jones, typically a midfielder, into a defensive role, this being the sole switch from the squad selection during the Carabao Cup final. Given the current injuries to Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez, and Bradley’s suboptimal health conditions, this change of positioning is considered necessary.
Slot discussed the necessity of better ball handling during game play, referencing the prior Goodison derby where neither teams managed to create significant opportunities. These observations, added to Jones’ ability to adapt on-field, led Slot to his decision. The coach laid emphasis on the need for good ball retention and an improved level of play while in possession, hence Jones’ positioning as right-back.
In the past, Jones has taken up the position of right-back in superior stride. Notably, he led the team to a 3-1 win against Leicester in the Carabao Cup in the previous season. Besides, there were instances of him being drafted into this role during substitution phases in matches against Arsenal and Brighton in 2020.
Klopp, the previous head coach, praised Jones for his in-game intelligence and professed that he had always seen the potential in Jones for this particular position. He emphasized Jones’ exceptional skills and his propensity to get on the ball frequently, more so when positioned deeper in the field.
Jones’ adeptness had been on display during his debut performance in this role, which was considerably different from his usual game positioning. Klopp lauded him, marking his shift into this unfamiliar spot as a top-tier performance, executed with extreme competence.
Another surprise change in Slot’s team selection was the decision to have Caoimhin Kelleher placed in goal, thereby sidelining Alisson. Kelleher’s position between the posts and the conscious decision not to gamble on Alisson was rooted in concerns over his health status.
Alisson, despite clearing several stages of the concussion protocol, was deemed unfit after he failed to pass the final test conducted on Tuesday. In keeping with the safety guidelines, Slot decided to err on the side of caution and not to field Alisson for the forthcoming match.
Slot reiterated the importance of following the established concussion protocol and ensuring a player passes all assessments before being deemed fit. In this case, since Alisson did not clear the last test, the coaching team didn’t consider it appropriate to risk his health.
Capitalising on the situation, Kelleher, who has already demonstrated his prowess this season, will take up the position of goalkeeper. Slot spoke highly of Kelleher’s capabilities, commenting that he might be under-utilized as Alisson’s understudy.
Slot’s decisions to reposition Jones and bringing on Kelleher demonstrate a strategic approach to manage the squad, ensuring safety, and capitalising on the unique strengths of the players.
Slot’s tactical ability to reassess the abilities of his players proves essential especially considering the current injury list. The coach’s decision to elect Jones and Kelleher into these positions could potentially bring forth a dynamic shift in their play strategy.
Having Jones playing in a position where he could create more opportunities with the ball is a clever strategic move and the decision to replace Alisson with Kelleher underlines Slot’s adaptability.
In conclusion, the decisions taken by Arne Slot for the upcoming Merseyside derby do more than just fill a gap left by injured players. They reflect his broader commitment to tactical flexibility, player safety, and the value of embracing new roles that enhance overall team dynamics.
Whether these changes will spell success for the team in the derby is yet to be seen. Still, it reflects an active attempt by the coach to accommodate unforeseen circumstances and adapt his strategy for optimizing both individual and collective performances.