Assessing Liverpool’s Struggles: A Call for Strategic Clarity

Slot expressed his bewilderment at the decision to disallow Virgil van Dijk’s equalizer at the Etihad Stadium. However, he refrained from arguing that Liverpool deserved to go into halftime level. “In the first half,” Slot remarked, “they were better than us in every aspect of football.”

The statistics certainly supported this assertion. Liverpool managed only one shot on target throughout the match and lost over 60 percent of their duels. Much attention was given to Conor Bradley’s struggles against Player of the Match Jeremy Doku, exacerbated by insufficient support from Ibrahima Konate and Mohamed Salah. The reality was that Liverpool faltered across the board, with none of Slot’s players showing the necessary intensity for such a crucial Premier League fixture.

Roy Keane, ex-captain of Manchester United, commented on Sky Sports, “You can’t be considering Liverpool for the title. The decision on the disallowed goal might have gone against them, but overall, City looked technically and physically superior to Liverpool. They still possess attacking quality and will pose problems for teams, but defensively, they have been poor, suffering from lapses in decision-making, intensity, and energy.”

Slot maintained that Liverpool’s effort at the Etihad was commendable and dismissed concerns about his players’ attitudes. “It’s easier to win duels when the game plan and tactics are effective, as we saw against [Aston] Villa and [Real] Madrid,” he noted, referring to their recent morale-boosting victories at Anfield. “However, we struggled against a City side that brought numerous players into the midfield, making it difficult for our players to make the right decisions. It wasn’t a lack of effort; rather, they had to work hard because City was significantly better in possession.”

Despite Slot’s insistence that Liverpool improved in the second half, Keane countered this view, asserting, “The game was over! It’s easy to play well when there’s nothing at stake.”

Nevertheless, had Cody Gakpo converted a chance shortly after coming on, Liverpool could have found themselves back in contention.

There is no denying that Liverpool is not the relentless team it was last season. This season, they have frequently started games in second gear, leading to the concession of early goals. Furthermore, questions linger about why Slot’s side appears as a “weak team,” as Keane pointed out, despite spending over £400 million ($525 million) to strengthen the squad during the summer.

Slot did highlight fitness issues as a contributing factor. Players like Bradley and Alexis Mac Allister are only now regaining form after missing preseason, which has disrupted the team’s overall balance. Similarly, new additions Jeremie Frimpong and Alexander Isak have experienced injury setbacks as they adjust to life at Anfield.

Yet, Florian Wirtz has yet to make a significant impact in the Premier League, and while Hugo Ekitike has shown potential, former Bournemouth player Milos Kerkez’s performances have deteriorated, resulting in his exclusion from the starting lineup. Consequently, Liverpool is witnessing a lack of cohesion in what was once a settled squad, evidenced by a record of six wins and five losses in the Premier League.

Dean Sturridge, a former Liverpool striker, remarked on Sky, “Last season, they had much more consistency, and Slot’s job was easier, inheriting a squad from Jurgen Klopp. This season, although some new signings have adapted quickly, others are still finding their feet.”

He continued, “The Premier League is unforgiving. There’s an expectation for players, due to their price tags, to perform at a world-class level immediately. But that’s a rarity here, as the league’s intensity is superior to other competitions. Players like Florian Wirtz seem surprised by this intensity, indicating that the chemistry from last season has faded. The pressing question is: what will Slot do about it?”

Liverpool’s decline has not occurred overnight; their struggles precede the summer transfer spree. Since the beginning of the year, they have played 47 matches across all competitions, winning only 21 and suffering 16 losses. Though some defeats came after clinching their record-equalling 20th English title, fatigue contributed to a shaky second half of last season, which included setbacks in both the Champions League and Carabao Cup.

Recognizing the need for enhanced defensive depth and creativity in midfield, along with a more clinical forward, Liverpool invested heavily during the summer. Yet, issues persist in every department. Wirtz, struggling to adapt to the league’s pace, has been shifted to the left, where Gakpo has been inconsistent, leaving Liverpool missing Luis Diaz’s incisive dribbling.

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s absence is keenly felt from an offensive standpoint, as Bradley has not matched his ability to deliver deep, line-splitting passes or serve as an auxiliary midfielder. Assuming Isak returns to full fitness, he could provide the cutting edge that Slot believes has cost Liverpool points this season, although Konate’s poor form raises concerns over not securing Marc Guehi before the deadline.

The new signings have not only failed to resolve existing issues but have also created new challenges. Despite their struggles, Liverpool remains a formidable force in Europe, as evidenced by last week’s 1-0 victory over an in-form Real Madrid. Despite enduring one of the worst title defenses in Premier League history, they find themselves only two points behind third-placed Chelsea, making a top-four finish within reach, particularly with an opportunity to gain momentum after the upcoming international break.

However, a change in strategy is critical. The focus should shift from merely accumulating points to enhancing performances. Liverpool doesn’t need to be flawless before facing Arsenal on January 8; the aim should be to demonstrate potential and tangible progression following a difficult three months of regression.

Liverpool clearly had a vision for their summer signings, and it’s time to implement it. The gradual introduction of new players is no longer necessary, as the urgency for results has shifted. Slot needs to showcase his vision, even if it involves taking risks with the established players.

For instance, if Wirtz’s creative capabilities are at the center of the future strategy, why not unleash him now? Although concerns were raised about his fit in last season’s title-winning midfield, the substantial investment in Wirtz was with the expectation that he would play in his preferred role. It is now Slot’s responsibility to devise a solution, even if it entails occasionally rotating Salah, who is currently out of form.

Furthermore, Slot must clarify his plans for Ekitike, whose talent exceeds that of a mere understudy for Isak. Whether pairing him with Isak in a new attacking formation or shifting him to replace Gakpo, Ekitike’s considerable skills should not be sidelined.

A significant decision also looms regarding Konate. Despite the injury absence of his expected replacement, Giovanni Leoni, and Joe Gomez’s inconsistent performances, Konate’s recent form does not justify his starting role. His latest display against City highlighted that he can no longer be relied upon to effectively support Alexander-Arnold on the right side of defense.

Ultimately, the composition of Slot’s preferred back four remains uncertain. While Frimpong and Kerkez were brought in to provide attacking width from defense, it appears neither has secured a prominent role yet, raising concerns.

This moment represents a crucial juncture for both Liverpool and Slot. No genuine supporter is calling for the dismissal of a coach who led the team to a title less than six months ago. However, a clear and cohesive strategy is essential at this point. As Sturridge aptly stated at the Etihad, “Slot needs to stick with a team that he truly believes in,” as this seems to be the only path to restore faith in the manager’s project and the promise of a brighter future.