A Season of Struggles and Uncertain Prospects
Jurgen Klopp had a unique ability to inspire confidence in those around him. One of the less recognized aspects of his leadership was his knack for turning difficult seasons into opportunities for growth. Under Klopp, Liverpool consistently finished strong, even when the odds were against them.
In the 2020-21 season, Liverpool managed to secure their place in the Champions League by winning their final five league matches and eight of the last ten. Similarly, in the 2022-23 campaign, they secured seven of their last nine league victories, although they ended up in the Europa League. Despite these setbacks, each time, there was a sense of optimism that the following season would be better—and it always was.
Now, under Arne Slot, there is a similar sentiment that next year will be an improvement. However, the evidence supporting this claim seems less convincing compared to Klopp’s era. Many fans are not entirely convinced that the team can replicate the success of previous years.
This uncertainty stems from a combination of factors. Liverpool had won three consecutive Premier League matches before their recent defeat to Manchester United. Yet, the context of their Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain made it clear that the team wasn’t feeling as confident as they once did. Unlike Klopp’s 2021 victory at Old Trafford, this weekend saw Liverpool repeating some of the mistakes that have plagued their campaign.
Matheus Cunha’s opener was the 17th league goal conceded from a set-piece, a club record in the Premier League era. Kobbie Mainoo’s winner was the 16th goal they let in during the final 15 minutes; only Burnley and Newcastle have been more vulnerable at the end of games. These statistics highlight the challenges the team has faced this season.
Physical and Mental Challenges
The physical toll on the team has been significant. Injuries have left many key players unavailable, leading to a stretched squad. Slot believes that next year will be better due to the potential of new signings and fewer injuries. However, some players, like Alexander Isak, seem to contradict this view. Isak was absent on Sunday due to a minor groin problem, raising questions about Liverpool’s decision to spend £125m on a player with a questionable fitness history.
Captain Virgil van Dijk emphasized the need for improvement, stating that it’s unacceptable for a defending Premier League champion to lose so often. The team has suffered 11 losses in the top flight and 18 in all competitions. Five of those losses came in injury time, highlighting issues with resolve and fitness. Additionally, the team has lost 10 times in the first 16 minutes, indicating too many slow starts.
Manchester United capitalized on this weakness, showcasing the lack of physicality in Liverpool’s current lineup. While Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate provide aerial strength, the rest of the team lacks tall players with comparable abilities. Slot also pointed out that Liverpool were caught on the counter-attack for United’s second goal, scored by Benjamin Sesko.
Tactical Adjustments Needed
Michael Carrick noted that Liverpool’s team is packed with midfielders, yet they lacked a specialist defensive midfielder, which has proven costly. This absence has contributed to a poor defensive record, with 47 league goals conceded already.
Rebalancing the squad appears essential, particularly in the midfield. Sunday’s match highlighted the urgent need for Dominik Szoboszlai to sign a new deal. Ryan Gravenberch’s season has been inconsistent, while Alexis Mac Allister’s performance has been disappointing, despite a few standout displays. His lack of fitness at the start of the season has further hampered his impact.
Slot continues to rely on Mac Allister, sometimes at the expense of Curtis Jones, whose contract expires in 2027. Jones has made 46 appearances this season but has struggled to secure regular starts in midfield. He currently plays in defense because Slot does not trust Jeremie Frimpong to play right-back.
Liverpool likely needs to add a right-back to their shopping list, along with finding a replacement for Mohamed Salah. The arrival of Jeremy Jacquet and the return of Giovanni Leoni could add much-needed physicality in defense. However, there is concern about losing character when Andy Robertson and Salah leave, potentially including Alisson.
Despite suffering numerous setbacks this season, Liverpool fought back from 2-0 on Sunday. However, there have been times when the team has shown too little resistance, with Szoboszlai being one of the few exceptions. This leaves a long list of tasks to ensure next year is better.
“There will be a lot of work that has to be done going into next season,” said Van Dijk. Some of this work must remain private, but so far, there are too few reasons to believe that this Liverpool team will emulate Klopp’s successful campaigns and bounce back into excellent years.
