The air at Anfield, traditionally thick with triumph, now carries a faint whisper of unease. On paper, Liverpool sits atop the Premier League, a position many would envy. Yet, recent performances, capped by a stark 1-0 defeat to Galatasaray in the cauldron of Rams Park, reveal a team grappling with an identity crisis that extends far beyond a single result. This isn`t the formidable, relentless Liverpool of last season; this is a side in search of its true self under new stewardship.
The “Basketball” Conundrum: A Top Team Playing Without a Net
Former Liverpool stalwart and astute analyst Jamie Carragher didn`t mince words, describing the current Reds as “playing basketball” – an “end-to-end” spectacle lacking the controlled authority of a top-tier football machine. It`s an apt, albeit harsh, analogy. While exhilarating for the neutral, such frenetic play often signals a fundamental imbalance. Elite teams dictate tempo, control midfield, and manage games; they don`t engage in ninety-minute slugfests where both goals feel equally vulnerable.
This tactical drift is not a recent phenomenon. As Carragher noted, the signs were present even in earlier victories, often salvaged by last-gasp heroics. Relying on individual brilliance to paper over cracks is a precarious strategy, unsustainable in the unforgiving landscape of the Premier League and European competition.
Wirtz`s Weight: The Burden of Adaptation
Among the new faces, Florian Wirtz`s situation exemplifies the current conundrum. Heralded as a generational talent, his transition to Anfield has been anything but smooth. At Bayer Leverkusen, Wirtz was the undisputed orchestrator, a player central to every attacking phase, averaging a significant 78 touches per 90 minutes. His output in terms of expected goals and assists was commensurate with a primary playmaker.
At Liverpool, the narrative has shifted. With Mohamed Salah still the focal point, Wirtz`s touches have significantly decreased to around 60 per 90. More tellingly, his shooting output has halved, impacting his overall expected goals. He`s been asked to adapt to a different role, one that perhaps diminishes his most potent attributes. While adaptation is expected for any young talent moving to a new league, the cost of this adjustment seems to be impacting the team`s overall attacking fluency and defensive balance, to the point where Carragher controversially suggested he needs a period out of the starting XI to regroup. It`s a harsh assessment, but one rooted in the team`s immediate need for stability.
A Precarious Balance: Squad Depth and Positional Dilemmas
Arne Slot inherited a squad that, on paper, had just won the Premier League. Yet, the current reality suggests a delicate ecosystem disrupted by injuries, departures, and a struggle to integrate new blood. The sight of Dominik Szoboszlai, a dynamic central midfielder, operating as an emergency right-back – and subsequently conceding a crucial penalty – highlights a fundamental issue. Similarly, Jeremie Frimpong, acquired with much fanfare, appears unsettled, shunted between a defensive back four and an unfamiliar wide attacking role, seemingly unable to leverage his wing-back prowess.
Defensive depth, once a hallmark, is now a glaring weakness. With only Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, and Ibrahima Konate as natural, fit center-backs, the margin for error is razor-thin. Konate`s recent struggles only exacerbate this. The loan departure of Jarell Quansah, a potential homegrown solution, further underscores the squad`s current vulnerability.
Slot`s Moment: Earning His Stripes
Last season, Arne Slot seemed to glide through his managerial debut at Liverpool, picking up only two losses across 27 matches. This season, that same grim tally has been reached in just nine games. The “charmed life” has given way to a stark reality check. He inherited a well-oiled machine, but now, the engine sputters, and the gears grind. The Premier League title may have been secured, but the current challenge requires a different kind of mastery.
The financial outlay for new players means Slot must extract their full potential, and quickly. Time, as always in top-flight football, is a luxury he doesn`t possess. With Chelsea looming and Arsenal ready to pounce on any slip-up, the international break could see Liverpool relinquish their top spot.
Charting a Course Correction: Rebuilding Liverpool`s Identity
The path forward, while challenging, is not insurmountable. Slot`s immediate task is to re-establish a clear tactical identity and restore the squad`s equilibrium.
Reclaiming the Midfield Engine
The core of Liverpool`s recent success was built on a robust, dynamic midfield. Moving Szoboszlai back to his preferred central midfield role is paramount. Alongside a fit Alexis Mac Allister, this duo provides the defensive work rate and attacking incision that has been sorely missed. Relying on players like Curtis Jones or Ryan Gravenberch in these pivotal roles hasn`t yielded the same two-way influence, creating a vacuum that leaves the defense exposed and the attack isolated.
Defining Frimpong`s Future
Jeremie Frimpong`s talent is undeniable, but his deployment remains a puzzle. His best performances came as a wing-back in a system utilizing three central defenders, allowing him to maraud forward with devastating effect. Liverpool`s traditional back-four system curtails this. Slot must either commit to integrating a wing-back role for him when tactically appropriate or find a consistent, clearly defined position that maximizes his offensive capabilities without compromising defensive stability. Experimenting with him on the wing, as seen against Galatasaray, shows a willingness to adapt, but consistency is key.
A Deeper Look at Defensive Solutions
The defensive crisis is arguably the most pressing. With Leoni out for the season and natural center-backs scarce, Slot might need to explore unconventional solutions. The idea of Gravenberch, typically a midfielder, dropping deeper into a defensive role during phases of play where Liverpool shifts to a back three, offers an intriguing, albeit temporary, prospect. While a complete positional conversion seems unlikely before January, nurturing existing squad members for emergency roles could prove vital. Even Wataru Endo or Stefan Bajcetic (once fit) could be considered for this makeshift role.
Liverpool stands at a crossroads. Their Premier League position offers a deceptive comfort, masking deeper fissures within the squad`s fabric. The challenge for Arne Slot is not just about winning games, but about rebuilding an identity, re-establishing balance, and ensuring that the illusion of success gives way to a genuine, sustainable ascendancy. The coming weeks will reveal whether he possesses the strategic acumen to navigate this turbulent phase and steer the Reds back to their former glory.
Dominic Ashworth