Liverpool`s current form sharply contrasts with their previous season`s success. A recent 1-0 loss to Galatasaray, featuring an experimental lineup with Jeremie Frimpong on the wing and Dominik Szoboszlai at right-back, highlights the significant challenges facing coach Arne Slot. While squad rotation is understandable given an upcoming match against Chelsea, the defensive issues are glaring, especially with Szoboszlai, acquired to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold, playing out of position. This marks their second consecutive defeat, following earlier matches where late goals were needed to secure wins, a trend that concerns former Reds star Jamie Carragher.
Carragher vocalized his worries early in the season, even after a 4-2 victory against Bournemouth. “It`s not just the last two games that are concerning; Liverpool`s entire nine-game season has been deeply troubling,” he stated. He elaborated that the team “isn`t playing like a top side. They`re playing `basketball` – end-to-end action – which isn`t typical of elite football.”
The departure of players like Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen, where he secured a starting role unavailable at Liverpool, has compounded defensive issues, particularly with Ibrahima Konate currently struggling. Furthermore, Dominik Szoboszlai, playing out of his natural position, conceded the penalty converted by Victor Osimhen, which sealed Galatasaray`s victory.
In contrast to previous games, Liverpool failed to mount a comeback, managing only four shots on target and struggling to create quality scoring opportunities. This lack of attacking prowess is particularly surprising for a squad boasting talents like Florian Wirtz, Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike, and Alexander Isak.
Carragher observed that Liverpool has “gained nothing offensively while suffering significant defensive losses.” He noted that last season was exceptionally smooth for coach Arne Slot, who “now truly needs to prove his worth.” Despite Slot`s “unbelievable” achievement of winning the Premier League, he faces “several issues that demand solutions.” Carragher is keen to see how Slot addresses these problems, especially given the substantial investment in certain players, which, in his view, has yet to result in a balanced team.
The most glaring issue, according to Carragher, is Florian Wirtz. He believes Wirtz, a young player adapting to a new league, “isn`t performing at the required level.” While acknowledging Wirtz`s potential, Carragher suggests that he “needs to be temporarily removed from the starting XI for Liverpool to regain last season`s form, build confidence, and restore defensive stability.”
Wirtz had opportunities against Galatasaray, but his role at Liverpool differs significantly from his time at Leverkusen. As the focal point for the German club, he averaged 78 touches per 90 minutes, contributing 0.31 expected assists (xA) and 0.36 expected goals (xG), alongside nearly three shots per game. At Liverpool, his touches have fallen to 60 per 90, and while his chance creation (0.29 xA) remains similar, his shooting metrics have halved, resulting in only 0.19 xG per 90.
This statistical shift is somewhat anticipated as Wirtz adjusts to the Premier League and a team centered around Mohamed Salah. However, it`s negatively impacting squad balance. Coach Slot`s initial season, succeeding the legendary Jurgen Klopp, was unexpectedly smoother than anticipated, inheriting a winning team. Last season, his second loss across all competitions came after 27 matches. This season, that unwelcome milestone arrived in just nine games, indicating a significant downturn from merely “coasting” to a title.
Four starters against Galatasaray were new additions this season, and Slot must quickly integrate them effectively, though time is scarce. Despite holding a two-point lead over Arsenal in the Premier League, an upcoming match against Chelsea could see the Gunners overtake them before the international break. While Mikel Arteta`s Arsenal has a clear identity and game plan, Liverpool, who had a defined strategy under Slot last season, urgently needs to rediscover theirs.
Here are potential solutions:
Move Szoboszlai back to midfield
A key to Liverpool`s previous success was the midfield dynamism of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, both combining high work rates with creative passing. This partnership provided crucial balance. With Mac Allister`s injury setbacks and Szoboszlai deployed as an emergency right-back, this core has been disrupted. The return of Conor Bradley offers a natural right-back option. Given the struggles of Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch, and Florian Wirtz in midfield, restoring Szoboszlai to his natural central role appears to be the most logical step to reinvigorate Liverpool`s engine room.
Find a consistent role for Frimpong
Jeremie Frimpong, a significant summer acquisition, has struggled defensively when played in a back four. At Leverkusen, he excelled as a wing-back, a role Liverpool rarely employs due to their typical defensive setup. Starting him on the wing against Galatasaray indicates Slot`s recognition of Frimpong`s attacking potential. While Mohamed Salah usually occupies this position, Slot must define a consistent role for Frimpong where he can leverage his strengths and contribute effectively to the attack. Acknowledging this positional dilemma is the first step towards finding a solution.
Is Gravenberch a center back?
With young defender Giovanni Leoni out for the season, Liverpool`s central defensive options are alarmingly thin, comprising only Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, and Ibrahima Konate. Wataru Endo and the injured Stefan Bajcetic have filled in, leaving coach Slot with limited rotation choices. Given the team`s emphasis on positional flexibility, exploring Ryan Gravenberch as a potential center-back could be a viable short-term solution. While he has occasionally dropped deep in a back-three formation, testing him in a back four might be worthwhile, especially since new players cannot be added until January, and Konate has shown inconsistencies.
