Liverpool and Arne Slot put an immediate end to Jurgen Klopp era player

Liverpool and Arne Slot have ended a staple of pre-season under Jurgen Klopp. Things are already starting to change.

Liverpool will no longer carry out their famous lactate test in pre-season. It was a staple under Jurgen Klopp, with the Reds using the test to judge players’ fitness ahead of the season.

Lactate testing works by having players run at a range of intensities and intervals. Machines track their lactic acid levels, and when it’s above a certain level, they’re taken off the test.

The results essentially showed who was the fittest player in the team. James Milner built a reputation on the test, finishing as the last man standing on virtually every occasion.

It was something Liverpool did regularly under Klopp, with a break in 2022. Now, though, the Reds have moved on to something different.

As highlighted by STATsports on X, the new team has players running a 6MRT (6-minute run test). It’s pretty straightforward – players run around a track for six minutes, with the total distance covered being an indicator of their fitness levels.

The test measures very similarly to the lactate test, but it’s a different way of doing things. And in fact, it’s our first example of change under Arne Slot and company.

Changes under Arne Slot

This will be the first of many changes, of course. They will be tactical, technical and personnel – and could mean we see a very different Liverpool next season.

Of course Slot won’t want to change also a lot. Liverpool have had a lot of success under Klopp and the hope is that he can build on his previous work with new ideas rather than tearing everything down.

But as a result, we’re in for an exciting season, with pre-season giving us our first glimpse of what’s to come.