Liverpool have now misplaced seven of their final 10 video games and it’s clear Arne Slot‘s ways are failing, however the secret to restoring kind shouldn’t be merely reverting to what labored earlier than.
After a short resurgence, Liverpool are as soon as once more carrying the tag of disaster membership by this worldwide break.
9 months after a surprising 2-0 win on the Etihad, Slot noticed his aspect outclassed on the similar venue in a 3-0 defeat.
It’s a troublesome turnaround to abdomen, from the previous guard easily controlling video games to stuttering with an costly new squad.
The 2 current good outcomes have been largely attributed to the restoration of final season’s lineup, notably the midfield trio.
However whereas loads of these champion gamers stay, Liverpool can’t merely ‘return to what labored’.
What was it that labored? Up, again and thru
‘Management’ was the watchword in Slot’s debut marketing campaign, however whereas this conjures up photographs of sluggish, sideways passing, that’s not what was on show.
Liverpool have been masters of controlling tempo. Whether or not by their use of the ball, excessive urgent or compact low defending, they dictated the tempo all through every recreation, shifting it up and down at will.
For instance, the 6-3 win at Tottenham noticed them race right into a 5-1 lead, then sluggish the sport down. However when Spurs pulled issues again to 5-3, Liverpool clicked up a gear and grabbed a sixth purpose to make the outcome secure.
One of many signature tempo shifts was the usage of the ‘up again and thru’. The ball can be labored slowly throughout the again line, encouraging strain from the opponent.
The ball would then be performed on to Mo Salah – who had dropped deep and dragged a defender out – whereas a teammate would start to dash in the direction of the house he’d created.
Salah would instantly play again to a teammate…
…who may then play a by ball to launch the runner in house.
Regardless of the opponent, Liverpool all the time discovered a option to dictate the tempo and subsequently management the sport.
Trent, Robbo & Gravenberch: How absence has performed its half
The lack of Trent Alexander-Arnold has had an apparent impression on Liverpool’s potential to search out these progressive passes from deep, however Andy Robertson‘s demotion to the bench additionally robbed Slot’s aspect of the league’s second-most progressive passer of final season.
Whereas Robertson has carried out effectively since being reinstated, Liverpool’s defence now has a left-sided bias, with two efficient ball-players on that aspect and two gamers preferring to hold the ball on the appropriate.
We noticed in opposition to Man Metropolis how opponents are completely satisfied to funnel the buildup by Ibrahima Konate, anticipating that he wouldn’t trigger any points in possession.
Even when Virgil van Dijk does get on the ball, his potential to search out incisive passes has additionally been lowered.
Whereas Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike are each tall, ‘correct’ No. 9s, neither have to date been capable of reliably make the ball stick.
This was a specific talent of Luis Diaz‘s, who’s sorely missed, whereas Salah and Cody Gakpo are additionally struggling.
Another choice for Van Dijk final 12 months was usually to string a ball into Ryan Gravenberch.
Opponents would then leap to press him, and he would use his signature flip to roll previous his marker, surging into the house they left behind.
It meant Liverpool had a number of methods of releasing gamers into house and subsequently elevate the tempo – both behind the road (utilizing Salah) or between the strains (utilizing Gravenberch).
Groups play in another way in opposition to Liverpool
With groups now a lot much less keen to interact with Liverpool excessive up the pitch, neither of those avenues can be found.
Gravenberch has dropped in as extra of a 3rd centre-back to get on the ball, however this implies opponents are in entrance of him as an alternative of consuming his mud.
The recruitment this summer time was a deliberate transfer to get forward of this opposition tactic; for Liverpool to desert controlling tempo in favour of territorial dominance.
In idea Liverpool must be breaking down these compact low blocks, and have signed Florian Wirtz, one of many world’s finest playmakers within the ultimate third, and two No. 9s to place away probabilities.
Taking his cues from Paris Saint-Germain, Slot has designed his crew to rotate positions fluidly inside their attacking construction, with a purpose to confuse opposition markers and create overloads within the field.
This could result in unmarked gamers on the again submit or easy cutback probabilities.
But when that sounds international to you, it is likely to be as a result of Liverpool haven’t created a single purpose this season from that strategy.
Breaking down the low block: The place’s it going unsuitable?
Slot identified lately that Liverpool have created extra probabilities than every other crew within the league.
However that’s not as a result of the strategy is working; Liverpool’s objectives have largely come from throwing plenty of our bodies forwards when chasing video games late on.
The one time somebody was free on the again submit, it was in opposition to 10-man Newcastle.
Too usually, Liverpool’s makes an attempt to interrupt down low blocks disintegrate, with a single unfastened cross turning right into a harmful breakaway.
With a lot fluidity throughout the construction, Liverpool usually find yourself with poorly suited gamers in defensive positions, and big quantities of house for opponents to use.
All of this was on show for Brentford‘s second purpose within the 3-2 defeat. Right here we see a easy one-two break down…
…and there’s not a right away counter-press on the participant in possession. Liverpool’s line of defense is just too excessive, which means Kevin Schade is miles onside when the cross comes…
…and he retains his cool to get one-on-one and end.
How do Liverpool repair it?
Liverpool have been being proactive by altering their recreation mannequin within the low season, however this strategy of dominating territory permits opponents to dictate the sport theme, not Liverpool.
They know that Liverpool plan to play this particular approach, to allow them to adapt and drive the sport to be performed on their phrases.
This impact is normally compounded by Liverpool conceding first.
Too usually this season Slot’s males have been taking part in the type of recreation their opponents need, whereas chasing a purpose to get again into the sport.
Liverpool in 2025/26
Video games performed: 18Conceded first: 8Goals scored after conceding first / complete objectives: 10 / 21Results after conceding first: 1W 7L 0D
Liverpool have had some video games the place they visibly dictated the move of the sport, however virtually all within the Champions League: Atletico Madrid, Eintracht Frankfurt and Actual Madrid.
They gained all of those video games, however except for Aston Villa – who performed into Liverpool’s fingers by sticking to their ideas – they haven’t been capable of management opponents within the Premier League.
In the event that they wish to get their season again on observe, Liverpool have to discover a recreation mannequin that not solely fits their squad, but additionally fits the league they play in; one the place the crew who dictates the move of the sport normally wins.
As a result of altering make-up of the squad and the change in opposition strategy, Liverpool can’t merely return to controlling tempo.
Whereas they need to transfer away from trying territorial dominance, the answer have to be one thing new.
