On October 23, 2024, RB Leipzig played host to Liverpool for a gripping ‘league phase’ encounter in the Champions League set against the backdrop of Saxony. At this juncture, the Reds were just beginning to sweep through England and abroad with Arne Slot’s tactics catching teams off-guard – but a rare occasion presented itself where the opposition had valuable insider knowledge that could tip the balance in their favor.
“He wants to play a dominant style of football and overcome the opponent with possession,” revealed Lutsharel Geertruida to Leipzig ahead of the clash. Few players can claim to grasp Slot’s strategies as intimately as he does.
A product of Feyenoord’s nurturing, Geertruida has been imbued with the club’s philosophy from his early years until making his first-team debut at the tender age of 17. It wasn’t until Slot arrived in 2021 that Geertruida, by then fully matured, really found his leadership voice, largely due to Slot’s impact.
Overcoming a debilitating stutter, he grew into the captaincy role he seemed predestined to fill.
Amid this unfolding narrative, Liverpool braces for the doubly impactful loss of Trent Alexander-Arnold, their eight-year stalwart right-back, and a key figure in their leadership framework.
History tells us this club has witnessed many significant personnel shifts over the decades, particularly in recent years, yet each time it has demonstrated remarkable resilience to carry on.
This situation is unique in that it comes at a time of great expectation. There’s hope for an even brighter future under a coach who clinched a Premier League title in his debut season with a squad of players like Alexander-Arnold, left over from the previous era.
(Image: Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
While ‘blessing in disguise’ might be too strong a phrase to describe the departure of a one-of-a-kind player like Alexander-Arnold, the timing couldn’t be better for Slot to build the team he envisaged, to continue the mission as he originally planned, much like how he transformed Feyenoord into the powerhouse that Geertruida was integral to.
Liverpool’s average Premier League possession under Slot – 58 per cent – shows they’re controlling games, but not quite to the same degree as Feyenoord did in the Eredivisie during his final season at De Kuip – 61.8 per cent.
Part of Slot’s transition to English football has involved working with the legacy left by Jurgen Klopp and tweaking his own system where necessary. One player who needed this adjustment was Alexander-Arnold, who this year has shifted away from moving into midfield to concentrate more on his right-back responsibilities.
In contrast, Geertruida was given the freedom to oscillate between the same role, defensive midfield and central defence, and the difference in how Liverpool and Feyenoord dominate is clear to see.
Alexander-Arnold’s creative edge is largely due to his effective long-range passing (30+ yards). As a result, most of his contributions to teammates in the 2024/25 season have come from deeper positions, contrasting with Geertruida’s tendency to have more ball touches overall, primarily in the middle third, and frequently at short-range (5-15 yards) and mid-range (15-30 yards).
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At their prime, Slot’s Feyenoord, despite facing less formidable opposition, managed to establish a stronger presence higher up the pitch than Liverpool have under the same coach. Their right-back had fewer defensive duties as there were fewer turnovers of possession to the opposition.
However, what’s truly remarkable is that in areas where Alexander-Arnold prides himself on making an impact despite being a defender – goals and assists – his combined nine (3G, 6A) this term pales in comparison to the 13 (8G, 5A) contributed by Geertruida, even while switching between positions far from the opposition’s penalty area.
Now, speculation is rife about who Liverpool should bring in to replace its departing right-back, and only once has Slot’s former player been mentioned. Sky Sports reported that among summer targets, Geertruida continues to be admired by his fellow countryman.
The 24-year-old’s significant move to Leipzig last summer came at a $28 million (€25M) price tag, including add-ons but no release clause. That would leave Richard Hughes, the Reds’ sporting director, in the position of negotiating a straight fee should a deal be pursued.
Interestingly, according to Sport BILD, it seems Leipzig might adopt a flexible stance in the upcoming summer transfer market regarding player sales. While not explicitly listed by name, Geertruida could potentially command a notable transfer fee, aiding Leipzig in bringing their $191M (€170m) wage bill down to $169M (€150m).
(Image: Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
Conor Bradley is set for an opportunity that he deserves given his potential, despite lacking sufficient playing experience and an injury record needed to cement the confidence of supporters craving reassurance.
“Arne managed to get the best out of me. He was never afraid to give me some harsh truths and was always correct in what he said about me. I believe he was a game changer for Feyenoord as soon as he arrived in Rotterdam,” mentioned Geertruida about his former manager last October, prior to their contest in the Champions League as rivals.
“We always looked to play a dominant style of football, no matter the opponent. That led to us winning both the league title and the cup, as well as also getting us to a [Europa] Conference League final. That shows he did a really great job.
“He is an intelligent coach who knows how he wants to go about things. Off the field, he is also very open and is always prepared to listen to what you have to say and is easy to have a conversation with.”
The stars have aligned perfectly for this coach and player reunion at Liverpool, and it can take them to the next level.
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can read the original story in the Liverpool ECHO by clicking here.
