The echoes of Anfield`s roaring successes, particularly from the halcyon days under Jurgen Klopp, seem to fade a little more with each passing week. A mere eight days ago, amidst the Premier League`s unpredictable currents, Liverpool might have clung to the belief that their knack for snatching late victories could endure. But a brutal trifecta of defeats – at Selhurst Park, Rams Park, and most recently, a devastating last-minute 2-1 loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge – has not only shattered that illusion but also exposed cracks that run far deeper than mere misfortune.
This isn`t just a blip; it`s a stark revelation. As Arne Slot grapples with the unenviable task of following a legend, his initial attempts to replicate past glories, even by reverting to a familiar lineup, have only highlighted the profound nature of Liverpool`s current predicament. Nearly 20% into the season, the champions appear a dramatically inferior shadow of their title-winning selves. What exactly are these fundamental issues threatening to derail Slot`s nascent tenure?
1. The Ghost of Alexander-Arnold: A Void in Both Attack and Defense
When the footballing world bid farewell to Trent Alexander-Arnold as he departed for Real Madrid, the consensus was clear: replacing his unparalleled ball progression and creativity would be a Herculean task. Trent, after all, belongs to that elite pantheon of players who can bend a game to their will with a single sweep of the foot. His absence in delivering decisive passes and unlocking defenses has been acutely felt, robbing Liverpool of their primary inventive spark, especially without Florian Wirtz`s attacking contributions in the Chelsea game.
What was perhaps less anticipated, however, was the dramatic erosion of defensive solidity in his wake. While Alexander-Arnold`s defensive attributes were often a subject of debate, his presence offered a certain structure. Now, the right-back position has become a glaring vulnerability. Conor Bradley`s challenging 45 minutes against Alejandro Garnacho, followed by Dominik Szoboszlai`s makeshift deployment – a valiant effort on the attacking front with an assist for the equalizer, but defensively overwhelmed – laid bare a critical flaw. Chelsea, with almost clinical precision, targeted this weak spot, carving out the winning goal from that very flank. It`s a strategic Achilles` heel that opposition managers now exploit with alarming regularity, leaving Ibrahima Konate looking a mere shadow of the robust defender who once expertly covered for Alexander-Arnold.
2. The Fading Aura of the Egyptian King: Mohamed Salah`s Uncharacteristic Slump
For years, Mohamed Salah was Liverpool`s insurance policy, the relentless forward who could conjure goals from thin air and punish the slightest defensive lapse. Opponents, knowing the danger, dared not commit too many men forward on his flank, lest Salah exploit the acres of space. But since Liverpool`s unceremonious exit from the Champions League, the Egyptian King`s imperial reign has seemingly entered a period of recession.
A statistical dip — four goals (one a penalty) and three assists in sixteen Premier League games, coupled with a significant drop in shots per 90 minutes — paints a troubling picture. This isn`t just a temporary dip; it`s a profound cratering of performance that sparks a difficult question: has Salah delivered his last truly elite season? While Arne Slot optimistically points to chances created and shots taken, the brutal truth is that the sheer inevitability of a Salah goal, that electrifying feeling of an imminent breakthrough, has dissipated. If Liverpool`s most iconic player, the very embodiment of their attacking prowess, is operating at a diminished capacity, then the team itself will, inevitably, be a shadow of its former formidable self. The magic, for now, seems to be on sabbatical.
3. The Silent Press: A Breakdown in Liverpool`s Defensive Ethos
Jurgen Klopp`s Liverpool was synonymous with “Gegenpressing” – a ferocious, high-intensity defensive effort starting from the very front. This season, however, a critical gear appears to be missing. While statistics might suggest fewer passes per defensive action (PPDA) – perhaps due to spending more time chasing the ball – the qualitative aspect of their pressing has clearly suffered. Recoveries in the attacking third are down by a worrying 10%, a consequence of losing diligent pressers like Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, and the tragically absent Diogo Jota. These were the engines who tirelessly covered ground, allowing Salah, at times, to conserve energy for decisive moments.
Now, opponents find it remarkably easy to play through Liverpool`s initial lines. Benoit Badiashile, for instance, could effortlessly pick passes into Joao Pedro`s feet. Once past the initial barrier, a startling lack of intensity and coordination becomes apparent. Midfielders like Alexis Mac Allister, perhaps not yet at full fitness, struggle to cover the gaping spaces, allowing opponents like Moises Caicedo to drive into open territory. The stark contrast to the aggressive, suffocating press of even 18 months ago is almost unbelievable. This team, once a relentless machine, now looks porous and hesitant, particularly in the first half of games. Against a Chelsea side riddled with defensive absences, Liverpool failed to exhibit the crucial “oomph” needed to discombobulate them. This fundamental erosion of their defensive identity, from front to back, might be Arne Slot`s most daunting challenge yet.
The Road Ahead: Redefining Anfield`s Identity
The Chelsea defeat was more than just three lost points; it was a potent symbol of a team in search of its soul. Arne Slot inherits a squad brimming with talent, yet grappling with structural deficiencies and a palpable drop in individual brilliance from key players. The task is monumental: to rebuild a defensive system that has lost its teeth, to reignite the spark in his star forward, and crucially, to find a new identity in the wake of an era-defining manager. The honeymoon period, if it ever truly began, is definitively over. The cold, hard realities of the Premier League have arrived, and Slot must now prove he can forge a new path for Liverpool, or risk seeing the red machine stall indefinitely.
