Until last night, it seemed we had seen the worst of it against Forest last Saturday. Now we can anticipate even worse against West Ham this weekend.
Had Liverpool not won a single game all season there would only be a surprise because of the anticipation going into the campaign. Money spent now sems like money wasted. The performances in every match, bar against Real Madrid, suggests they were lucky to win any games including the 'back on track' victory against a mediocre Aston Villa.
It has been described as the club's worst run of form since November 1953 to December 1954. That was more than 70 years ago, a few years before I was born, a time when the red of Liverpool was the furthest thing from a mind that didn't exist. As far from my current mind as this Slot side retaining the championship they won last season.
Former captain, Steven Gerrard sums up team form:
The defence is like a sieve trying to hold back the flow of water. Virgil Van Dijk at the heart of it has failed to provide the leadership required. The penalty he conceded last night against PSV Eindhoven was so flamboyantly foolhardy, the only thing his raised hand seemed to lack was an extended middle finger flipping the Liver bird to the fans. Forged in collective memory by what the state and police inflicted on them, the fans of Liverpool FC are arguably the most culturally cohesive band of soccer fans in the Premier League. They are now leaving Anfield in exasperation, even disgust, before the final whistle by what Mo, Virgil et al serve up as professionalism.
Speculation abounds about the tenure as head coach for Arne Slot. Perhaps before letting him go, consideration might be given to replacing Van Dijk as captain after the unprofessionalism in his own penalty area that gave PSV their opening goal. The penalty should be the last straw of a straw man captain who has all too easily been brushed aside in his straw house defence. In Dominik Szoboszlai, the captain of Hungary, and a powerhouse in Liverpool's midfield, there is a suitable replacement.
As for Slot, if he is master in his own dressing room the decision to continue playing Mo Salah casts serious doubt on his mastery. Graeme Souness, perhaps remembering his discomfort over playing Ali Dia, made the point that it seems that Salah's brother is turning out for Liverpool this year, an imposter. Didi Hamann laid it out tersely: Slot by keeping Salah risks not being kept himself. If Slot controls the dressing room he should ensure that for Salah it is the dressing down room.
Slot being interviewed after last night's debacle assumed the persona of the shellshocked, flatly reciting preprogramed lines. Sure, he diagnosed the malaise but offered nothing better than thoughts and prayers as a cure. He also seemed wearily resigned to his fate whatever it might be. It is not so much that a problem has emerged as it is Slot showing no sign of being able to fix it.
And so it continues and is likely to continue, all of which raises doubt that Slot will continue.
It has been described as the club's worst run of form since November 1953 to December 1954. That was more than 70 years ago, a few years before I was born, a time when the red of Liverpool was the furthest thing from a mind that didn't exist. As far from my current mind as this Slot side retaining the championship they won last season.
They're conceding too many goals, they're wide open in transition. Look very vulnerable and unstable soon as the ball turns over.
The defence is like a sieve trying to hold back the flow of water. Virgil Van Dijk at the heart of it has failed to provide the leadership required. The penalty he conceded last night against PSV Eindhoven was so flamboyantly foolhardy, the only thing his raised hand seemed to lack was an extended middle finger flipping the Liver bird to the fans. Forged in collective memory by what the state and police inflicted on them, the fans of Liverpool FC are arguably the most culturally cohesive band of soccer fans in the Premier League. They are now leaving Anfield in exasperation, even disgust, before the final whistle by what Mo, Virgil et al serve up as professionalism.
Speculation abounds about the tenure as head coach for Arne Slot. Perhaps before letting him go, consideration might be given to replacing Van Dijk as captain after the unprofessionalism in his own penalty area that gave PSV their opening goal. The penalty should be the last straw of a straw man captain who has all too easily been brushed aside in his straw house defence. In Dominik Szoboszlai, the captain of Hungary, and a powerhouse in Liverpool's midfield, there is a suitable replacement.
As for Slot, if he is master in his own dressing room the decision to continue playing Mo Salah casts serious doubt on his mastery. Graeme Souness, perhaps remembering his discomfort over playing Ali Dia, made the point that it seems that Salah's brother is turning out for Liverpool this year, an imposter. Didi Hamann laid it out tersely: Slot by keeping Salah risks not being kept himself. If Slot controls the dressing room he should ensure that for Salah it is the dressing down room.
Slot being interviewed after last night's debacle assumed the persona of the shellshocked, flatly reciting preprogramed lines. Sure, he diagnosed the malaise but offered nothing better than thoughts and prayers as a cure. He also seemed wearily resigned to his fate whatever it might be. It is not so much that a problem has emerged as it is Slot showing no sign of being able to fix it.
And so it continues and is likely to continue, all of which raises doubt that Slot will continue.
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I'd be stunned if he isn't shifted within a week. I watched the PSV game and while there were chances for Pool it never really seemed likely. Every team has off days but this very much a pattern now.
ReplyDeleteIt is just perplexing that they got it so wrong.
DeleteI think too many are targeting the youngest - Kerkez. I love his passion and aggression, lacking in the others. Whatever his failings he and the other Hungarian are the most energetic in that team. Trying to write him off so early seems off the mark. At a third of the money spent on Witrtz, no one is able to say he has played a third as well as the German.
It's like a team with no plan B. Good players in there but they suited the system that went before. The Premier League is the absolute pinnacle of the game worldwide, every team is backed by enormous wealth and they utilize every single piece of state of the art sports science and tactical analysis that exists to get an edge. This is why eventually teams on top get worked out by all the other clubs and if you don't have a plan B you'll soon know about it. Clubs have worked out Man City's weaknesses, ours, Pools, United's and Arsenal will face this around the Christmas break. Our defense is growing but still prone to brain farts which will punish us. Pool's reliance on what went before is getting punished now.
ReplyDeleteIt's still great drama though!!