How will Liverpool Manage Without Isak?

Overview of Current Challenges

Arne Slot is facing a tumultuous period this season, dealing with various obstacles including Liverpool’s recent disappointing form, marked by nine defeats in 12 matches, and the fallout from Mohamed Salah’s controversial interview after a match against Leeds.

With Alexander Isak sidelined, the pivotal question is how Slot will adapt to fill this gap. Isak, who transferred to Liverpool from Newcastle for £125 million during the summer, has had a rocky start at Anfield, but his recent goal against Tottenham demonstrated his potential and why the club acquired him.

Slot commented, “You need to be at the top of your game to make a difference. It took months for him to reach that level, and it’s unfortunate that he is now injured.” He further noted that Isak is likely to be out for “a couple of months,” with hopes that he could return in March.

There is uncertainty about whether Liverpool will look to acquire an additional forward in the upcoming January transfer window, as the club typically avoids costly temporary fixes for short-term issues.

Hugo Ekitike has been a standout performer lately, scoring eight goals in the league and showing that he has already acclimated to the Premier League environment.

When asked about the possibility of recalling Harvey Elliott from his loan at Aston Villa, Slot stated, “Harvey is currently with Aston Villa for the duration of his loan, and they are doing well. It would be better to direct any inquiries about him to them.”

Isak has made just ten appearances for Liverpool; with him unavailable and Salah on international duty at the African Cup of Nations, Slot might have to rethink his tactical approach.

Tactical Shifts Without Isak

Slot has recently adjusted his tactical system, resulting in a six-match unbeaten streak. While Liverpool may not be dominating their opponents, these modifications have introduced a level of control and defensive stability while accommodating both Isak and Ekitike in the lineup.

In recent matches, Slot has deployed a midfield diamond, opting for extra midfielders instead of traditional wingers. In contests against top teams like Inter, he positioned Ekitike and Isak together in attack, supported by Curtis Jones, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, and Alexis Mac Allister forming a fluid midfield diamond behind them.

In the last two league encounters, Gravenberch, Jones, Mac Allister, Florian Wirtz, and Szoboszlai—who are all adept central midfielders—have been featured behind Ekitike.

When in possession, either Jones or Gravenberch tends to drop deeper alongside defenders Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, which enhances Liverpool’s build-up play. Szoboszlai and Wirtz, often starting as wider players, frequently move into central positions while the fullbacks advance to provide width.

With the midfielders and other key players congregating near the central area, Liverpool has not only become more compact defensively but also less vulnerable to counter-attacks—an area that posed issues early in the season.

Moreover, midfielders deployed out wide have added to Liverpool’s overall defensive structure and pressing compared to when wingers like Salah were tasked with similar responsibilities.

Despite addressing many of Liverpool’s earlier-season flaws, this system is not without its shortcomings. The team continues to struggle in generating clear scoring opportunities despite enjoying possession.

Employing fullbacks to maintain width rather than wingers has led to a lack of one-on-one threats down the flanks. Slot attempted to resolve this dilemma by repositioning Wirtz back to a wider role in the second half against Tottenham, where he successfully found Milos Kerkez on several occasions.

Jeremie Frimpong’s introduction showcased how he might serve Liverpool best, utilizing his speed, dribbling, and crossing ability to enhance the team’s threat on the wing while other offensive players roam centrally.

Formulating a New Attack

With Isak unable to play, the responsibility now falls on Mac Allister or Wirtz to link up with and support Ekitike in the center. However, both lack Isak’s speed and precision, raising concerns over Liverpool’s goal-scoring capabilities. Federico Chiesa could be tested alongside Ekitike, mirroring the setup used against Inter.

Ultimately, Slot is likely to maintain a structure similar to what has been utilized in recent contests, banking on control and possession to gradually regain form, ideally through narrow wins.