Liverpool’s Struggles: Slot Needs to Address Issues Internally

A Wretched Performance at Brentford

Liverpool’s manager, Arne Slot, acknowledged that a shift in tactics from rivals has contributed to the difficulties faced by the previous Premier League champions this season. However, following a disappointing match against Brentford, attention must now turn towards their own shortcomings.

The final score of 3-2 does not reflect the reality; Brentford demonstrated clear superiority across the field. Had Liverpool managed to salvage a point, it would have been a significant injustice. Slot noted that the Reds have been vulnerable to long balls and deep defensive setups, marking their steep decline, including a fourth consecutive loss in the Premier League.

Slot’s observations about the team’s weaknesses must now lead to an evaluation of the players’ performances. The team appeared exposed, lackluster, and out of sync throughout the match. Fans trudging home bore witness to yet another disheartening display.

Remarkably, Liverpool has already matched the total number of Premier League defeats this season as they had during their title-winning campaign. They join an unfortunate list of reigning champions to endure four straight losses, alongside Leicester City, Liverpool in 2020-21, and Manchester City last season.

This marks the first time they have faced four league defeats in a row since February 2021, compelling Slot to find solutions right within his squad rather than seeking external causes.

Outclassed and Ineffective

Liverpool’s vulnerabilities were exposed early, as Brentford’s Michael Kayode capitalized on a long throw-in, leading to a goal by Dango Ouatarra just five minutes into the match. The Reds struggled significantly, suffering from set-piece goals and counterattacks, repeating patterns seen throughout the current season.

Although Brentford’s performance under the rising leadership of Keith Andrews should be commended, the gap in form displayed by Liverpool raises serious concerns. The home side found it easy to penetrate Liverpool’s defense, with Mikkel Damsgaard providing an exquisite assist for Kevin Schade’s second goal.

Concerns permeated the Liverpool squad, affecting both seasoned players and expensive new signings who failed to deliver. Virgil van Dijk faced scrutiny over his defensive partnership with the struggling Milos Kerkez, leading to baffled exchanges during the game.

Van Dijk’s ill-timed foul on Ouatarra led to a penalty that effectively put the game beyond Liverpool’s reach, highlighting the defensive issues that have plagued the team all season.

A Disappointing Night for New Signings

Since May, Liverpool has conceded more than two goals in the most Premier League matches—totaling nine—while they have allowed 14 goals in just nine league matches this season. Last season, they did not concede their 14th goal until their 16th match.

The team’s midfield offered little but disappointment, with high hopes for the £116 million signing Florian Wirtz dashed after a promising Champions League performance. Wirtz missed a prime opportunity early on and was substituted for defender Joe Gomez late in the game, leading to chants from Brentford fans questioning the investment.

Mohamed Salah displayed a fleeting moment of brilliance, scoring in a frantic finish, yet his overall contributions have indicated a struggle for confidence and creativity. Meanwhile, striker Hugo Ekitike, amidst the absence of other key players, received little support throughout the match.

Addressing the media post-match, Slot recognized the gravity of the situation: “Tonight’s result and performance were unsatisfactory. Conceding three goals is too much to win any match. The first goal came from a set-piece, and the second from a counterattack, areas where Brentford excels.”

Slot expressed the need for an introspective review to identify both successes and failures, emphasizing that the basics were not executed adequately. He must act swiftly to correct the issues afflicting Liverpool.

Looking Ahead

Liverpool has a challenging schedule ahead, facing Crystal Palace at Anfield in the Carabao Cup’s round of 16, followed by a league game against Aston Villa. Their Champions League clash with Real Madrid and a key match against Manchester City loom large, especially as they confront the prospect of Erling Haaland exploiting a faltering defense.

Despite the evident quality within the squad, the lack of cohesion and the ongoing adjustments from recent acquisitions highlight the urgency for adjustments. The nearly £450 million spent on new signings has yet to translate into marked improvement.

At this juncture, Liverpool’s struggles seem to stem from a blip that now appears to extend beyond a solitary game, marking a stark contrast to their past season when they finished substantially ahead at the top of the table.

For both Slot and Liverpool, the implications of this defeat are sobering, and failure to improve could lead to a wider gap should Arsenal secure a win against Crystal Palace this weekend.