The murmurs of concern around Anfield have rapidly escalated into a chorus of critical assessment. This isn`t the Liverpool that serenely cruised to a Premier League title just last season. The shift has been stark, and following a 1-0 defeat to Galatasaray in Istanbul—a stadium notoriously unwelcoming—the questions are no longer whispers but resounding shouts. Adding to the unease, this marked the Reds` second consecutive loss, a concerning trend for a club accustomed to relentless winning.
Jamie Carragher, a Liverpool legend and now a discerning CBS Sports analyst, has voiced his disquiet with characteristic frankness. “It`s concerning, but the last two games aren`t just concerning. I think Liverpool`s full nine games this season have been very concerning,” Carragher stated, underlining a deeper malaise than mere recent results suggest. His observation that he doesn`t feel like he`s “watching a top team” and that Liverpool are currently “playing basketball, it`s end to end” instead of controlled football, paints a vivid picture of a team adrift from its established tactical moorings.
The “Basketball” Dilemma: A Loss of Control
Carragher`s analogy of “basketball” football is more than just a colorful phrase; it points to a fundamental breakdown in tactical discipline. Top teams, particularly those vying for the Premier League title, thrive on control—managing possession, dictating tempo, and maintaining defensive solidity. An “end-to-end” game, while exhilarating for neutrals, often signifies a lack of midfield dominance and an alarming susceptibility to counter-attacks. For Liverpool, a side built on pressing intensity and quick transitions, this open-play chaos suggests that the aggressive approach is now exposing them defensively without yielding the same attacking dividends.
New Faces, Old Problems: The Squad Balance Equation
Much of the current predicament traces back to squad adjustments and the integration of new talent under Arne Slot. The decision to sell young defender Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen, where he immediately secured a starting role, now appears ill-timed, especially with Ibrahima Konate struggling at the heart of the defense. Meanwhile, new acquisitions like Jeremie Frimpong and Dominik Szoboszlai, purchased to bolster specific areas, are frequently deployed in roles far from their natural positions—Frimpong on the wing, Szoboszlai at right-back, where he conceded the decisive penalty against Galatasaray. This tactical shuffling, born perhaps out of necessity or experimentation, has undeniably disrupted the team`s cohesion.
The spotlight, however, shines brightest on Florian Wirtz. Heralded as a significant signing, Wirtz`s transition from the Bundesliga to the Premier League has proven unexpectedly arduous. At Leverkusen, he was the creative fulcrum, averaging 78 touches per 90 minutes, translating into impressive expected assists (0.31 xA) and expected goals (0.36 xG). With Liverpool, his influence has waned significantly; touches have dropped to 60 per 90, and while his chance creation remains respectable (0.29 xA), his shooting numbers have halved, with xG plummeting to 0.19. Adapting to a new league, a different tactical system, and sharing the attacking limelight with Mohamed Salah is a formidable challenge, but the current impact is undeniably hindering the team`s attacking fluency and overall balance.
Arne Slot`s Unenviable Inheritance
The narrative surrounding Arne Slot`s arrival was one of cautious optimism, inheriting a squad fresh off a Premier League triumph. Last season, Slot managed to navigate 27 matches across all competitions before experiencing his second defeat. This season, that unwelcome milestone arrived after just nine games. This rapid acceleration of challenges highlights a key difference: the “smooth ride” of last season has given way to an immediate baptism by fire. The expectation of a seamless transition, or perhaps a `charmed life` as some might have jested, has been brutally contrasted by the harsh realities of managing a top-tier Premier League club under intense scrutiny.
With four new starters against Galatasaray who were not with the club last season, Slot is clearly in the process of shaping his team. However, the financial commitments to these players demand immediate returns, and time, as ever in elite football, is a luxury not afforded. Despite their struggles, Liverpool paradoxically remains atop the Premier League, clinging to a two-point lead over Arsenal. Yet, with a crucial clash against Chelsea looming, the Gunners could well seize the league lead by the international break. While Mikel Arteta`s Arsenal exudes a clear identity, Slot`s Liverpool is currently grappling to rediscover its own.
Charting a Course Correction: Rekindling the Red Fire
The road ahead for Liverpool and Arne Slot is clear: address the imbalances and re-establish a definitive tactical identity. Several strategic adjustments could prove pivotal:
- Reinstating Szoboszlai to Midfield: Dominik Szoboszlai`s strength lies in his dynamic two-way play in central midfield, offering both defensive work rate and creative vision. His deployment at right-back, while perhaps a temporary solution, sacrifices his considerable influence where it matters most: dictating play and driving the team forward from the engine room. With Conor Bradley`s return, Slot has an option to restore Szoboszlai to his natural, impactful role, which could immediately enhance midfield control and creativity.
- Defining Frimpong`s Role: Jeremie Frimpong thrived as a wing-back at Leverkusen, given license to exploit space in wide areas. Liverpool`s predominant back-four system, however, curtails this freedom, forcing him into a more constrained defensive role. Experimenting with a flexible system that allows Frimpong to operate higher up the pitch, perhaps even occasionally in a hybrid wing-back capacity, could unlock his attacking prowess without entirely sacrificing defensive stability. Starting him on the wing against Galatasaray hints at Slot`s desire to leverage his offensive attributes; the challenge is finding a consistent, balanced framework for it.
- Exploring Gravenberch at Center-Back: With young defender Giovanni Leoni`s season-ending injury, Liverpool`s central defensive options are alarmingly thin. Beyond Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, and a struggling Konate, natural center-back depth is scarce. While unconventional, Ryan Gravenberch has, at times, dropped deeper in a back-three formation. Exploring his potential in a back-four at center-back, even as a rotational or emergency option, warrants consideration. Positional flexibility has been a hallmark of successful teams, and with no new signings possible until January, Slot must innovate to shore up his backline. This would be a tactical gamble, certainly, but one born out of necessity in a period of unprecedented defensive fragility.
The current state of Liverpool is a fascinating, if concerning, paradox: leading the league but far from their best. The challenge for Arne Slot is not just to win games, but to rebuild a winning identity, to transform the current “basketball” chaos back into the controlled, dominant football that defined Liverpool`s recent golden era. The solutions are not simple, but the urgency is undeniable. The Reds` reckoning is here, and how they respond will define their season.
