The club football returns to action next weekend as Liverpool head coach Arne Slot gears up for the fixture congestion. Liverpool will restart their campaign by first playing their London arch-rivals Chelsea at Anfield in an intense Premier League clash.
The Reds have won nine out of their first 10 games in all competitions under the new style of play. While the philosophy and the attacking style persist from the nostalgic Jurgen Klopp era, Slot has made many tactical changes.
Liverpool have only conceded four goals since the start of their season, showcasing more control and calmness in their play. They emphasize both defensive and offensive aspects to get the result instead of continuously bombarding the opposition with their attacks.
Slot has already admitted that the Reds have not played a top-10 team in their first seven Premier League games. However, that schedule works against Liverpool as they have to face those teams along with the top Champions League clubs.
Liverpool have acquired a very tough schedule compared to their competitive rivals, facing RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid. These big clubs face Liverpool right in the middle of tough Premier League and Carabao Cup games.
As Slot navigates through the hectic period that begins on 20th October at Anfield against Chelsea, we look at the three important things that Liverpool needs to keep in mind-
Last season’s biggest adversary: Complacency
A severe injury crisis and horrible officiating annoyed Liverpool considerably last season, also giving them a mitigating factor. Liverpool challenged for every trophy in Klopp’s last season as their high-spending rivals envied the audacity of a new squad.
However, the Reds’ late dip in team’s form cost them the FA Cup, Premier League and the Europa League. The anti-climactic end to the season highlighted the recurring issue of the injury crisis during Klopp’s tenure but complacency played the biggest role.
Liverpool players have struggled with complacency throughout the last season, and they showed the same issue against Nottingham Forest. Forest beat the Reds at Anfield right after the September international break to halt their incredible start to the season.
The surprise loss showcased Liverpool’s problem as many players lost possession easily with wayward passes and dwelling on the ball. Slot needs to make sure that the players remain vigilant throughout the fixture congestion that takes a mental toll.
Liverpool should not take any opponent lightly during this period and every player in the squad should deliver their best. The Reds have healthy competition in each position and Slot has a daunting task to balance his tactical requirement with the fitness of each player.
Injury crisis
Liverpool are counting on Slot’s style of play to reduce the injury crisis that has hurt the club under Klopp. The Reds counted on youth players but many of those players have left the club on loan during the summer.
Liverpool have a strong depth in the squad with two players for each position capable of playing the strongest teams. Nevertheless, Slot has preferred to stick with a starting lineup so far to maintain consistency in getting the results.
Those players who struggled to earn significant game time will get ample opportunity to prove themselves in the coming weeks. However, any injury crisis could hurt Liverpool’s ambition to maintain their early form, particularly against tougher opponents.
The Reds’ number-one goalkeeper Alisson Becker is already missing numerous important games in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Harvey Elliott could make his return soon after suffering a broken foot earlier this season.
Too much tiki-taka in the final third
This is in no way a risk factor or a criticism and at the same time, the Kopites have enjoyed the new style that demands more control of the ball and patience in the buildup. Nevertheless, there have been occasions in the final third when the players played too many passes rather than anyone taking the initiative to shoot.
It goes without saying that Liverpool have improved significantly in both the defensive and offensive phases of the game with the new setup. They leave less space for the opponents to exploit while the attack remains unpredictable and entertaining to watch.
The Reds struggled with finishing last season due to a lack of composure in front of goal, something they have improved under patient buildup. However, they need to avoid passing too much in certain moments when shooting is a better option for players even if they are not the main attackers.
The players are still learning to come to terms with the new style, but Liverpool needs to be ruthless against every opponent. At the same time, Diogo Jota’s overall form is a slight concern despite his proficiency in front of the goal.
More Liverpool News
- 4 ground duels, 2 key passes: Liverpool star shines as Scotland hold Portugal
- Liverpool star frustrated by familiar nemesis in international outing
- Quiet game or selfless captain? Northern Ireland media praises Liverpool star
The Portuguese international has disappeared in the buildup play, lacking the influence to participate in link-up plays with his teammates. Liverpool holds a strong position, but things can change quickly, and maintaining consistency will determine their ability to achieve this season’s ambitions under the new head coach.
