Slot under pressure as Liverpool’s struggles deepen

By Martin Graham

4 successive defeats, a fall to fourth within the Premier League desk, and a four-point hole behind leaders Arsenal — Liverpool’s season has taken a troubling flip.

For a aspect that stormed to the title final yr, Arne Slot’s group now seems disjointed: fragile in protection, gradual in midfield, and missing spark up entrance. Regardless of spending nearly £450m on reinforcements, the Dutch supervisor nonetheless appears unsure about his strongest lineup.

Within the 2-1 loss to Manchester United at Anfield, high-profile additions Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, and Jeremie Frimpong — costing greater than £200m mixed — started on the bench. Former defender Stephen Warnock summed up the temper: “Slot has a dilemma about the right way to match these gamers in. Typically the most important names simply don’t swimsuit the group.”

Salah’s type and future

Mohamed Salah, the face of Liverpool’s assault for eight years, has endured one among his most troublesome spells since arriving in 2017. After 29 league targets final season, the 33-year-old has not discovered the online from open play for the reason that opening-day win over Bournemouth.

His final league aim — a penalty towards Burnley on 14 September — feels distant, and Sunday’s miss in entrance of the Kop symbolized his struggles. As soon as recognized for his fearless runs at defenders, Salah now seems hesitant and wanting confidence.

Liverpool’s slower tempo has not suited him both. He thrives on fast transitions, going through defenders immediately somewhat than holding up the ball. Along with his defensive work additionally below scrutiny, critics like Wayne Rooney have questioned his depth.

Slot now faces a daring resolution — whether or not to maintain religion together with his longtime talisman or contemplate leaving him out.

Discovering the appropriate strike partnership

Alexander Isak’s £125m transfer was meant to strengthen Liverpool’s assault, however the Swedish ahead’s begin has been underwhelming. And not using a aim in seven league video games, he has struggled to search out rhythm after lacking preseason throughout a protracted switch saga with Newcastle.

In the meantime, Hugo Ekitike started brightly, scoring 5 in his first eight outings, however has since misplaced his place following a expensive pink card for eradicating his shirt in celebration. Slot criticized that “silly” second reserving and has since most well-liked Isak as his essential striker.

Towards Manchester United, Isak’s 19 touches in 71 minutes supplied little risk, whereas substitute Federico Chiesa made extra impression in half an hour, establishing the equalizer. With each essential forwards but to persuade, Slot should determine whether or not to stick with Isak, recall Ekitike, or try to make use of them collectively.

Midfield creativity and the Wirtz query

Florian Wirtz’s £116m arrival from Bayer Leverkusen was supposed so as to add aptitude, but the German playmaker has discovered life robust in England. Regardless of a full preseason, he has produced only one help — again within the Neighborhood Defend defeat to Crystal Palace.

Final season in Germany, Wirtz thrived slicing in from the left. At Liverpool, Slot has used him centrally, which has unsettled the beforehand stable trio of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, and Dominik Szoboszlai.

When on the pitch, Wirtz has proven flashes of creativity, main the league for possibilities created per 90 minutes amongst gamers with over 200 minutes performed. However Slot has principally turned to the previous guard, leaving the costly new signing on the bench.

Liverpool’s assaults nonetheless lack creativeness — elevating the query of whether or not Wirtz ought to return to the beginning eleven and others be challenged to make higher use of his passes.

Defensive dilemmas at full-back

Changing Trent Alexander-Arnold, who joined Actual Madrid, has confirmed troublesome. Jeremie Frimpong, signed for £29.5m, was anticipated to step in however has shared minutes with Conor Bradley and even Szoboszlai, whose shift to right-back has harm midfield steadiness.

That proper aspect has grow to be a goal for opponents, with greater than a 3rd of assaults towards Liverpool coming down that flank. Each Frimpong and Bradley prefer to surge ahead, leaving gaps behind, whereas Salah’s restricted defensive assist compounds the difficulty.

On the other aspect, the £40m signing of Milos Kerkez has displaced Andy Robertson however struggled for defensive self-discipline, usually leaving Virgil van Dijk uncovered. Critics akin to Chris Sutton have referred to as the scenario “a multitude,” arguing that neither full-back place feels safe.

Central defence issues

The instability within the full-back roles has elevated the strain on Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, who themselves have seemed susceptible. Liverpool have already conceded 11 targets within the league — in contrast with simply three at this stage final season — and have saved solely two clear sheets.

Set items are one other difficulty: 5 targets conceded from useless balls depart them among the many division’s worst. Particular person errors have additionally harm, from Konate’s errors within the opener at Bournemouth to Van Dijk’s lapse that led to United’s first aim.

Slot should urgently restore defensive cohesion to stop additional slips — or threat watching Liverpool’s season unravel even sooner.