It’s cold comfort for Liverpool’s new head coach Arne Slot, faced with the daunting challenge of finding the right formula for his team. They’re preparing to meet Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final at Wembley next Saturday. With the match-up right around the corner this weekend, Slot will need to come up with a plan to combat Palace’s infamous counter-attacking prowess. It’s clear from Liverpool’s recent pre-season tour of Asia that their game has some vulnerabilities. This finding renders the next match all the more crucial for the team.
Slot still uses the same 4-3-3 formation that won Liverpool’s championship last year. However, even after signing £300 million worth of new players this summer, doubts still remain about the team’s ability to defend well. The lack of Jarell Quansah, who has still not been replaced, only adds to the pressure on Liverpool’s backline. Still, despite a large group of key departures, Slot still feels pretty certain his team has the depth needed to repeat.
Pre-Season Insights
The pre-season tour of Asia uncovered a lot of faults for Liverpool. The side was especially challenged by quick counter attacks from their competitors and were at times prone during set-piece scenarios. These problems are worrying enough going into a match against any team, but especially one like Crystal Palace that excels at cutting teams apart on the counter-attack.
Arne Slot acknowledged these concerns, stating, “Two set-piece goals is not what you want, especially when you face Crystal Palace next week.” This candid acknowledgment of failings further highlights the urgent necessity for Liverpool to put things right ahead of taking to the Wembley turf.
Liverpool is still filled with a lot of talent. The flurry of recent acquisitions have breathed life into the expectation for what this team can do. Without that going forward, the question remains whether they need even more reinforcements before the January transfer window shuts. Slot’s faith in his squad will be tested as they work their way through nimble tactical changes.
Crystal Palace’s Resilience
Crystal Palace have managed to hold onto the strong core that led them to an FA Cup victory last season and represents a tough test for Liverpool. This continuity within Hodgson’s team lets Palace build on their successes from last season, making them an ever more dangerous opponent. Notably, Palace inflicted Jurgen Klopp’s first defeat as Liverpool manager back in November 2015 and recently ended Liverpool’s title hopes with a surprising victory at Anfield in April 2024.
Key signings including Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi have quickly turned into crucial players for Palace’s game plan. Both players are subject to transfer speculation, yet Crystal Palace has managed to keep the majority of their squad intact. Among these, Guehi, in particular, has caught the eye of Liverpool as someone who could be a useful addition to bolster their backline.
His performances have caught the eye of Feyenoord’s Arne Slot, who’s watched Guehi like a hawk with hopes of him being the perfect plug to any defensive hole. Adding Guehi to the squad ahead of the game only heightens the buzz. Like we said, this was already an extremely exciting matchup—now it’s off the charts interesting!
Tactical Considerations
Slot may opt to introduce players with the attacking talents of Cody Gakpo or Florian Wirtz from the bench. Their pace and the chances they can create even against tired, well-organized defenses might just give Liverpool a key advantage when the match is most in doubt.
With so much at stake at Wembley, the two teams will be fighting tooth and nail for a place in the final. Slot’s tactical decisions will largely determine how this game plays out. Given Liverpool’s attacking effectiveness paired with their defensive readjustments, it will be important for them to counter Crystal Palace’s biggest threats.
Leave a Reply