I've seen what Arne Slot is doing differently at Liverpool - the midfield will be strengthened

Few positions in world football have dominated the column inches like Liverpool's midfield department these past 12 months. Last summer, the Reds spent the best part of £150m on it

Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch were all brought in as Jurgen Klopp waved goodbye to Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Fabinho, James Milner and Jordan Henderson.

Meanwhile, both Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia were chased before the pair moved to Chelsea.

And this transfer window has again seen the Reds dealing with questions around their engine room having failed to land Spain international Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad.

Having played at Liverpool for 10 years under as many as five different managers, few are as well placed to offer their expert insight into what it takes to make the grade in the Anfield midfield department as Lucas Leiva.

Chatting exclusively to the ECHO during the club's pre-season tour of the United States, the Brazilian broke down what is needed and what he feels about the current crop at Arne Slot's disposal.

It seems like there is a different style being implemented by Arne Slot this summer...

"When a new manager comes it's always about changes. He will make changes for sure and the way he has prepared pre-season has been different, games will be different but also it's a new style of play. So the players have the challenge now to absorb this information as quickly as they can in the training sessions.

"Of course, with Jurgen Klopp they knew how he wanted them to play so it is different now, they need to get fit, get information and perform because everyone is waiting to see that.

There very much feels like there is a fresh voice and new ideas coming across.

"New ideas always improve you if you listen and put it into the games. Always they are good and I think the players are receiving it in a good way. Of course, there will be some moments when the routine changes and they will get a little bit uncomfortable at the beginning but players are used to changes with national teams and they have to adapt quickly to new routines and managers, so that will be the case.

"For the young players, I think it will be good because it comes with a new manager, new ideas of football and just helps them to improve as players. if they see it this way it will be an important season."

What does it take to be a Liverpool midfielder?

"I played under five managers at the club, so quite a lot and there were some very difficult moments. First of all Liverpool midfielders, you need to give your all, everything you have, because the fans expect that. Now with Jurgen, [a midfielder] was a player that had to be very intense, you had to be mobile and win the ball back as quickly as possible, don't stay in that position really, he used to give freedom to move and change positions.

"With Arne, I think my position as a whole, it will be a player with more discipline I would say as a holding midfielder, starting everything from the back and being the link between centre-back and attacking midfielders and players.

So there are different ideas but all the players Curtis Jones and Wataru Endo, Harvey Elliott, Dom Szoboszlai, they have the ability to do that. With Szoboszlai it's important he scored a fantastic goal between the lines [against Real Betis], having a run and it was something we're going to see a lot of this season. So, yes, you must have everything to play for Liverpool really."

Given the personnel at Liverpool right now, it feels like Slot has a nice blend of qualities to work with?

"So senior players have been out on holiday and Arne tried something new against Real Betis with two No.10s and I think that is maybe something he can use in the future. If you miss a player or you want to have more players in the middle to dominate the midfield.

"I remember a [formation] box two and two was the Brazilian 1994 team [that won the World Cup], so players have to adapt. New ideas, that is the time to try, pre-season, to see what you can get from players and younger players have the opportunity to play as well, so everything was positive."

What did you make of Wataru Endo's first season as it's fair to say he was something of a surprise addition last summer?

"I think he was fantastic to be honest, it was a move nobody expected. Maybe people were in doubt because he was not a young player anymore but I think he was a fantastic player for the club. His first season was brilliant.

"He gets the ball back, he keeps it simple and I think he will play a big part with younger players around him. The club feel they need to strengthen that position and they will probably do it but I think it was a very positive first season for him, for sure."

And Alexis Mac Allister is another who has been at the club for a similar amount of time...

"What an impact he had! fantastic player as an 8 or a 6. It will be interesting to see how Arne sees him and I think he will be playing many games as a No.6 with the way Arne wants the team to play with the buildup and the control of the game, so we could see how he wants Alexis to play in that position.

"We knew how good he was, he was a world champion and now a Copa America winner...unfortunately he is from Argentina, but I have to live with that now! Second season he will be full of confidence, coming back from Argentina and another great addition for the club."

What were some of the differences between the managers you played under, particularly Rafa Benitez and Jurgen Klopp?

"Rafa and Jurgen were very different. Rafa was, for me, very important and I always say that because he was very patient with me and I was very young. Tactically I wasn't disciplined in Brazil, believe it or not. I used to lose my position. So I think it was really important at that time.

"Jurgen was about not thinking when you lose the ball, it was about going for it, being aggressive and having the courage to play in a high line. I played some games with Jurgen as a centre-back so I know how difficult that was and you had to have the courage and play as a team. They both had different ideas but were both really important but I think I improved under both."

A new era is upon us at Liverpool, it feels exciting, would you agree?

"Yeah, it's a fresh start for a new moment and a new team. I wouldn't say a new club because the club is unique. But yeah new things will happen, new ideas, it's always hard when you have a big change like the club had last year.

"But I think every team has a moment when things need to change at a point but I think the positive thing that Arne and the new setup have is they are getting the club in a very good moment. They have a very good base and now it is just about continuing to grow and helping these kids, the boys, the young players to develop and hope for a big season."