Written by 
Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Premier League leaders Liverpool are showing plenty of excellent traits under Arne Slot.
The Dutchman has added a level of control to Jurgen Klopp’s frantic attack and has established a balanced midfield that wasn’t apparent during the former manager’s final days.
Ryan Gravenberch is putting in a ton of work to sew things together in the middle for a squad that is working extremely hard but still has obvious areas of improvement.
Like so many clubs, finding the right permanent striker is proving tough. Diogo Jota’s injury issues have continued and Darwin Núñez doesn’t feel like the long-term answer to battling with City. The Uruguay international must be commended for his energy in recent weeks, though, even if the goals aren’t flowing.
Alongside this, some of Liverpool’s old guard are beginning to slow. Andrew Robertson was destroyed by Saka in the recent 2-2 draw with Arsenal, appearing rigid on the turn and struggling to keep up with the pace.
The Scottish full-back’s threat has also been impotent this season, the gut-busting assist-machine of old yet to set up one goal in any competition this campaign. Throw in a 33-year-old Virgil van Dijk, and it might make sense to begin adding players who can grow into long-term replacements for such important stars of the Klopp era.
Reds fans should be encouraged; it’s not often a new manager enters a club that has so much recent success and takes over seamlessly, evolving the side with his own ideas while keeping the essence of what already makes them so good.
Slot’s next big challenge will be replenishing personnel, a process that should begin to take shape in January as he hunts his first trophy at Anfield.