For the first five games of the season they got by on their wits. But the discerning observer of the beautiful game could see from the get go that this current side wasn't flattering even if it managed to deceive. Jamie Carragher told Arne Slot during the opening game against Bournemouth that his team had problems.
Now after three back to back defeats, where the Reds played poorly each time, there can be no hiding behind a top of the table position. That was conceded yesterday to Arsenal who won their match while Liverpool folded in front of a well coordinated yet seriously understrength Chelsea side.
The new buys brought in during the summer transfer window all have great qualities as individual players but have failed to knit together. What exists is a threadbare outfit that does not compensate for the energy of Diaz, the enthusiasm of Nunez and the composure of Jota. Ekitike is the exception, but the slide rule pass from midfield needed to find him is lacking. Wirtz, who was brought in to provide it, has thus far failed to tick any of the boxes.
Defensively, there has been a leak since the opening game, with no sign of it being fixed. Konate has taken a severe dip in form, and it seems only a matter of time before Gomez becomes the centre back partner of choice for Van Dijk. Three different players have occupied the right back slot this season, but the position remains as vulnerable as it was when manned by Trent Alexander Arnold. Szoboszlai plays it well enough but that he is even asked to fill in there when there are two established right backs in the squad, both of them available yesterday, suggests a serious deficiency problem which is not one of match fitness. When a side is forced to play out a game, as it did yesterday at Stamford Bridge, with a brace of midfielders in the back line, it is very much a team on the defensive but unable to defend.
The Independent sports writer, Richard Jolly made the self-evident point that in the second half of last season, despite going on to win the title, Liverpool were finding it increasingly difficult to break down defences. This was in contrast to the first half where they scored a serious amount of goals against London sides, Tottenham and West Ham. London, this time out, has not been a happy hunting ground for the Anfield men, both defeats in the league happening in the British capital. There is a cruel irony in the losses in London. Liverpool so used to scoring deep into a game have now seen the worm turn and burrow its way into their net rather than emit a death rattle. It was fortunate for the Merseysiders in the last campaign that Manchester City had an off season and Arsenal came out so often with no guns blazing. The early signs are that Arteta's men are no longer firing blanks and despite the season being young, they look a side capable of mounting a serious title challenge.
Now after three back to back defeats, where the Reds played poorly each time, there can be no hiding behind a top of the table position. That was conceded yesterday to Arsenal who won their match while Liverpool folded in front of a well coordinated yet seriously understrength Chelsea side.
The new buys brought in during the summer transfer window all have great qualities as individual players but have failed to knit together. What exists is a threadbare outfit that does not compensate for the energy of Diaz, the enthusiasm of Nunez and the composure of Jota. Ekitike is the exception, but the slide rule pass from midfield needed to find him is lacking. Wirtz, who was brought in to provide it, has thus far failed to tick any of the boxes.
Defensively, there has been a leak since the opening game, with no sign of it being fixed. Konate has taken a severe dip in form, and it seems only a matter of time before Gomez becomes the centre back partner of choice for Van Dijk. Three different players have occupied the right back slot this season, but the position remains as vulnerable as it was when manned by Trent Alexander Arnold. Szoboszlai plays it well enough but that he is even asked to fill in there when there are two established right backs in the squad, both of them available yesterday, suggests a serious deficiency problem which is not one of match fitness. When a side is forced to play out a game, as it did yesterday at Stamford Bridge, with a brace of midfielders in the back line, it is very much a team on the defensive but unable to defend.
The Independent sports writer, Richard Jolly made the self-evident point that in the second half of last season, despite going on to win the title, Liverpool were finding it increasingly difficult to break down defences. This was in contrast to the first half where they scored a serious amount of goals against London sides, Tottenham and West Ham. London, this time out, has not been a happy hunting ground for the Anfield men, both defeats in the league happening in the British capital. There is a cruel irony in the losses in London. Liverpool so used to scoring deep into a game have now seen the worm turn and burrow its way into their net rather than emit a death rattle. It was fortunate for the Merseysiders in the last campaign that Manchester City had an off season and Arsenal came out so often with no guns blazing. The early signs are that Arteta's men are no longer firing blanks and despite the season being young, they look a side capable of mounting a serious title challenge.
Arne Slot suggests that the problem lies in how opposing teams set themselves up. But that is a difficulty all sides face. Liverpool invested heavily in a set up to break down tough defences. It has not delivered. Two of the victories in the league this season came solely as a result of set pieces. They were scored by established players. The summer batch were not brought into convert penalties or find the net from free kicks.
It is much too early to feel that Arne Slot will undergo a Claudio Ranieri season. Klopp had a stretch where his side lost a string of home matches in succession. But the distress calls are being picked up on by other teams who will seek to capitalise. Slot has plenty of time to turn the ship around and bring the drunken sailors back to a state of sobriety where unforced errors in the simple pass routine are replaced by razor like precision passing. That would be a start but they really need to finish.
 |
| ⏩Follow on Twitter @AnthonyMcIntyre. |
Liverpool's problem is simple on paper----How do they replace Jota....Truth is "They can't"
ReplyDeleteOn the upside Estevao looks like a cracking "Big Game" player for us, something we've missed since Drogba. But I did think it was a very entertaining game, and probably our manager was much more under the microscope than Pool's though I do think unfairly.
ReplyDeleteEstevao looks very good.
DeleteIt was a very open game but not entertaining for Liverpool supporters!!
Chelsea deserved their victory. Liverpool have cause to be worried. Chelsea were seriously weakened by injuries but still won and were easily the best team. Last week Palace could have been five up at half time only for the brilliance of Allison.
If you think your manager was under scrutiny spare a thought for Ange!!
As a lifelong Forest fan ( living in Newry ) you can intelligently guess my narrow age range .
ReplyDeleteRest of the family are Liverpool fans , so their games are difficult to avoid .
Why didn't they buy a defensive midfielder & two centre halves during the Summer ? Defending has been their weak spot since the turn of the year .
Mac Allister lacks pace & was two yards behind Caicedo . The midfield does nothing to shield the back four & Chelsea had three runners storming into the exposed box .
Gomez , Endo , Chiesa need to be replaced as they rarely play ( if ever ) .
Kerkhez , Robertson , Bradley & Frimprong should start ( to provide defensive cover & balance in midfield ) .
Salah & Slot will probably both deservedly depart at season end ( if not sooner ) . Fourth is the best the Merseysiders will finish . Arsenal & their shrewd recruitment will win the title by a canter .
How to spend a fortune ( on transfers & still regress ) takes ineptness of Jim Gavin style proportions .