The expectations are high for the red half of Merseyside. So much so, that sitting pretty in second place, one point off leaders Arsenal, Liverpool are ‘struggling’.
Three consecutive defeats leave an unfamiliar sense of concern around Anfield, especially when a two-goal lead doesn’t guarantee a victory anymore.
The shiny new toys haven’t hit the ground running, and even the most reliable of old guards have been slow to click into gear. After a record breaking £446m outlay, household names like Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz are yet to truly flourish on Merseyside.
The influx of attacking talent has even made it difficult for the evergreen Mohamed Salah to perform.
With so much spent over the summer, Arne Slot doesn’t know his best team anymore. This period of trial and tribulation leaves the Dutchman in the worst run of his short managerial career. Here’s a breakdown of the issues Liverpool face on their mission of title retention.
Defensive woes
Last season, Liverpool were strong defensively. Slot clearly had a first choice back-four, and the deputies knew their time and place. The ethos was still very much ‘score more than they do’, but when the eventual champions went a goal to the good, bets were as good as won.
They conceded seven more times than Arsenal, who had the country’s steeliest defence. However, in this campaign, that figure already stands at six. Liverpool are currently allowing more than a goal a game, which they’re learning first-hand isn’t conducive for winning major honours.
New arrivals Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong certainly change the dynamic of the team. Fresh blood was required at full-back, and a teething process is natural. But learning on the fly whilst defending a title is risky business.
Kerkez, much like every other elite ‘modern full-back’, is keen to join in when the Reds are in possession. The Hungarian can be seen bombing down the left wing when Cody Gakpo picks up space infield. Ironically, the perfect Jurgen Klopp player.
On the other flank, Frimpong is arguably more adventurous. Often Liverpool’s highest player, his position on the wing allows Salah to find space in and around the opposition penalty area.
Theoretically, this is a smart way of playing; stretch the opponents and get your goal scorers in threatening positions. But in practice, Liverpool have been left exposed to counter attacks more often than they would’ve bargained for.
This was clear when Bournemouth visited Anfield on the season’s curtain raiser. Antoine Semenyo was twice the beneficiary of vacant space in the Liverpool defence, leaving Slot with a tactical headache.
By October, we’ve seen three different profiles in that right-back spot for Liverpool. Frimpong offers speed, last season’s understudy Conor Bradley gives defensive solidity, and midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai beefs up the centre of the pitch.
This is evidence that Slot is still tinkering and figuring out his best XI. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, but their title rivals down in London appear a little surer of themselves at this moment in time.
Too much talent?
The outlay on attacking firepower was enormous over the summer. Hugo Ekitike arrived for £79m, and even his transfer sum was dwarfed by that of Wirtz and Isak.
Slot will undoubtedly be feeling the need to appease the high-ups at Anfield, but finding positions for all this talent is proving trickier than anticipated. There is only so much space, and somebody will inevitably be demoted to second fiddle.
There have been glimmers of brilliance from all three of their new attackers, but Ekitike aside, Wirtz and Isak are yet to deliver in the way fans would’ve anticipated.
Wirtz arrived in the north-west with lofty expectations. He is a technical, creative midfielder who had flourished in the left half-spaces of Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen.
However, under the magnifying glass of English media, Wirtz is having a tough time. His lack of output has left him to be the latest victim of the ironic ‘007’ label. However, at least he has the fall back of ‘adapting to the league’.
A player who doesn’t have that luxury is Swedish forward Isak. The striker was mercurial for Newcastle over a three-year stint but is yet to hit the ground running on Merseyside.
Many assumed he would take centre stage in Slot’s side, but the record signing is currently being outperformed by Ekitike. It will take time to adapt, as all signings do, but whenever a player breaks the British transfer record, they will be held to a greater level of scrutiny than most.
Misfiring Mo
With the additions at the top of the pitch, theoretically, the weight was off Salah’s shoulders to produce for the Reds. But that hasn’t quite been the case. The Egyptian has started every league match so far, but fans are beginning to question his credentials, especially with Federico Chiesa’s lively cameos offering competition.
Most forwards would be quietly pleased with four goal contributions in seven games, but the winger has looked wasteful and selfish at points this season. The recent trip to Stamford Bridge didn’t help Salah’s case, where a basketball-like game state promised openings aplenty. The forward squandered chance after chance, despite his supporting cast taking up promising positions.
In Salah’s defence, the personnel in his area of the field has been changing game on game. Over the years, Salah had formed a fruitful relationship with former Liverpool man Trent Alexander-Arnold, but in his absence, the dynamics on the right flank have looked a little clunky at times.
Liverpool shelled out to retain the services of their star man, but committing to a two-year extension could prove costly for the reigning champions. Fans will be hoping the tides turn quickly for their side, and Salah finding his shooting boots would go a long way for morale on Merseyside.
Mountain out of a molehill?
Despite underwhelming summer buys, last minute heartbreak and disjointed build-up play, Liverpool are still breathing down the necks of bookies’ favourites Arsenal. The narratives that surround the Premier League chop and change like the weather, and momentum can swing in just one weekend.
The international break will represent a welcomed halt in proceedings for Slot and his staff. Instead of breaking up a winning run, this pause will give the team a chance to catch their breath before the next chunk of fixtures.
However, returning to winning ways is of paramount importance for Liverpool, as title contenders Arsenal have a favourable run of matches to come. If Mikel Arteta’s side build a healthy advantage, the Reds may find themselves with a chase that is simply insurmountable.
