Arne Slot 'not happy' with Liverpool players as Virgil van Dijk in agreement with boss

The final outcome for Liverpool remains unchanged, only the path to it is different.

If one were to draw comparisons between the new and old eras at Molineux, the signs of transformation could be seen in the last 30 minutes of the game.

After being wounded by Mohamed Salah’s penalty, just moments after recovering from Ibrahima Konate’s opening goal thanks to Rayan Ait-Nouri, Gary O’Neil’s team were on the back foot.

Could it be suggested that Jurgen Klopp’s squad might have sensed weakness and gone for the jugular? Arne Slot’s new-model Reds chose not to take that risk.

It paid off. It worked so well that O’Neil’s substitute Hwang Hee-chan, who was brought on up top, touched the ball only once – yes, just once – in his first 21 minutes on the field.

The heavy metal, rock ‘n’ roll, glorious chaos is no more. In its place is a more ordered, considered, pragmatic approach. If this means consistently securing three points, does anyone really mind?

Captain Virgil van Dijk commented: “The whole dynamic of the club hasn’t changed. But there is a new manager with different principles and values. Not that they differ much from Jurgen but he has his own way.

“I think the transition has been quite smooth. We are still learning. In possession, we are trying to find different ways to hurt opponents.

“Opponents always have a plan about us, whether they press with two strikers, three strikers, not at all. We have to sort it on the pitch with what he prepares us for. It’s an interesting challenge. It’s all about how we can hurt teams – and not get hurt as much.”

Van Dijk further added: “At times, the manager’s not been happy with certain moments in games, when we lose the ball too easily or we are not winning our battles, or we have conceded.

“Those things are normal. We all know that we have to accept that to be better. And we all want to get better. It’s normal that these things are happening – and I won’t accept otherwise.”

His team-mate, Andy Robertson, suggested that Liverpool’s approach may have shifted slightly, adding: “I just think we wanted to see it out. We tried to control it as much as we could.

“We knew we didn’t have to score another goal but it was more important to keep them out and I think the lads worked incredibly hard up top to secure that. They were trying to make us defensively solid still and yes, you know a wee bit more control of the ball and try to tire them out a little.

“We knew there was going to be a change after seven years of playing in a similar way. It worked really well and we all enjoyed it. We knew a new manager would come in and change things and make it different.

“I’ve enjoyed the change. I’ve embraced it. I think I’ve done well at it. I’ve grown into it. The positioning all over the pitch, attacking and defending is different.

“So far, so good. The schedule is hectic. Let’s see how we are in a few months when it really ramps up.”