Liverpool's Passive Display Raises Concerns Under Slot
A flat performance against newly promoted opposition left Anfield stunned, as Liverpool laboured through a match that should have showcased authority, control and attacking purpose.
A Cautious Approach That Never Made Sense
That was embarrassing. Liverpool were the Premier League champions at home to a newly promoted side and we approached it like we were playing for a draw. Szobo and Gakpo were asked to stay so deep that Gakpo was almost a left-back. We were so passive and slow we made it easy for them. They could sit in, block the centre and watch us refuse to put crosses in. Instead we passed it from side to side for a few minutes before somebody had enough and hoofed it out for a goal kick.Salah's Impact Couldn't Mask the Wider Issues
Mo Salah made an immediate difference. He and Jones injected a bit of pace and urgency and we looked a little better, but the lack of quality balls into the box remained. It is amazing that Wirtz managed to wriggle his way through to get a shot away given how congested it was. All the space was out wide but we did nothing with it. If you want to play side to side you need to do it quickly to draw players out of position.If the speed that you are playing makes it almost impossible to find a way through the middle, you have to go around the sides, either putting in dangerous crosses or getting to the byline and cutting it back. Instead we almost always turn, pass it back and play it across to the other side of the pitch slowly. On the few occasions that we did put a cross in, our crossing was abysmal. Every time it was either over-hit or floated straight into the goalkeeper's hands.
Defensive Errors That Set Alarm Bells Ringing
Then there is the defence. Under no pressure for pretty much the entire game and yet both Konate and Virg made huge mistakes. For once Konate got away with one after another completely misjudged ball, but Virg was punished for his shocking clearance that I assume was meant to go to Macca, followed by backing off and turning his back like a mediocre pub player. The guy is the captain and then had the gaul to clap his hands toward the other players and ask for more. He needs to lead by example and stop playing like he smoked a 9 bar before kickoff.Based on what I have watched so far this season, I can see Guehi and Leoni as our starting pairing next year. If we can get Guehi in January and one of our right-backs somehow stays fit, then I can see Guehi and Gomez being given a chance together in the new year.
Chiesa's Work Rate Puts the Rest to Shame
Finally I want to mention Chiesa. The guy deserves a statue. In his limited minutes he has scored winners, assisted goals, created chances and, more importantly, given his all. Chasing down the striker in the 92nd minute last night was a lost cause. The guy had ten yards on him and was bearing down on Ali, but Chiesa never gave up. Unlike the other nine outfield players he gave everything to get back and try to stop them scoring, and unbelievably he managed it. He is the antithesis of everything wrong with the team right now. I can only assume Slot will not start him because his hunger and energy levels will make the rest of the team look bad.A Managerial Situation That Can No Longer Drift
I really wanted Slot to turn it round and for this time to be different, that we would kick on following the win over West Ham, but nothing is improving. Slot should have gone weeks ago and it is now dragging on and making it more difficult for the next manager, temporary or permanent, to salvage anything from this season.I do not rate Steven Gerrard as a manager and I do not want him in the job long term, but on a short-term basis he would inject the hunger and energy in the play that is so desperately lacking. One thing is certain and that is something needs to change, and it should have already happened.
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