The Impact of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Absence on Liverpool

Liverpool’s early success in the season is overshadowed by recent struggles that have raised questions about their squad depth and adaptability.

Liverpool’s High-Profile Signings and Struggles

After a strong Premier League campaign last year, Liverpool invested significantly in their roster, spending approximately £416.2 million in the summer transfer window. This allowed the club to bring in notable players such as Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, and Hugo Ekitike to Anfield. Despite these additions, the team has faced challenges, having lost three consecutive matches across all competitions and is preparing to take on Manchester United this Sunday.

One of the most pressing issues has been the departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid, whose influence extends beyond just scoring and assisting. The team is grappling with the implications of his absence both on and off the ball.

Difficulty Against Defenses Employing Tight Blocks

The Premier League is known for its tactical sophistication, featuring expert defensive setups that can disrupt attacking flow. Teams often implement physical pressing and compact defensive formations, which Liverpool has found challenging to navigate this season. The Reds have struggled to advance the ball effectively, especially against stronger defensive setups.

Alexander-Arnold’s ability with the ball stands out as a key factor in Liverpool’s historic success. In a past matchup against Tottenham Hotspur, he demonstrated remarkable talent in utilizing his weaker foot, which enabled him to evade pressure and create opportunities—a skill the team’s current right-backs lack.

Right-Back Choices and Their Limitations

In a recent loss to Chelsea, Conor Bradley was chosen to fill Alexander-Arnold’s role; he faced similar challenges as the team struggled to transition from defense to attack. Unlike Alexander-Arnold, Bradley lacks proficiency with his weaker foot, limiting his ability to play pivotal passes that could aid in fluid possession play.

When Bradley faced high pressure, he opted to play safe by passing back to the center of defense instead of attempting a progressive pass into midfield—a decision that stifled any attacking momentum.

Tactical Adjustments in Midfield

The need for adjustments in Liverpool’s build-up strategies is glaring. Florian Wirtz has found himself dropping deeper on the pitch compared to his role at Bayer Leverkusen to gain possession and initiate attacks. While this has addressed some immediate concerns, it has hindered Wirtz’s ability to exploit the final third effectively.

This tactical shift, although necessary, comes at a cost, as it minimizes his impact on the game and fails to capitalize on his attacking prowess.

Long Passing Challenges

Beyond short passes, the ability to execute long distances effectively is crucial for exploiting weaknesses in opposing defenses. Last season, Liverpool averaged 3.4 switches of play per 90 minutes; this has dropped to just 1.3 this season, largely due to Alexander-Arnold’s absence and the current defenders’ inability to replicate his proficiency with long balls.

Raphaël Varane might be able to play diagonal passes, but the remaining defenders lack the same incisiveness, resulting in fewer successful long-range attempts.

Salah’s Struggles in the Current System

Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak flourish when they can attack with space and pace. However, the team’s slower build-up has frequently forced Salah into more stationary roles, leaving him to play with his back to the goal. Such positioning has led to more back passes, hampering his effectiveness in critical areas.

Manchester United’s Potential Strategy

As Liverpool prepares to face Manchester United, intensified focus on exploiting defensive lapses could yield favorable results for United. Coach Ruben Amorim’s shift to a more conservative 5-4-1 formation when defending may press Liverpool into using their less adept defenders more often.

If Manchester United deploys this strategy effectively, it could amplify Liverpool’s existing vulnerabilities, especially in accommodating their high-caliber attackers.

Liverpool’s continuous adaptation will determine how effectively they can address these challenges in the upcoming matches while missing the strategic depth and creativity that Alexander-Arnold brought to their game.