Liverpool’s woes continue this season to a tipping point ahead of Sunday’s match with local-rival West Ham, who currently sit in 17th place. Liverpool now find themselves in 11th place in the Premier League table. So do Wolves, who are currently in the bottom half after picking up only three points from their last seven league matches. The league’s most active team during the summer transfer window. Their performance hasn’t come anywhere close to matching their financial investment, creating discontent among fans and analysts as well.
The story behind the numbers from the 2022-2023 campaign gives cause for concern. By the stats they should probably have at least ten more points by now based on their underlying play, underscoring a major case of underperformance. The disappointingly abysmal performance by the team is due to continued anemic scoring. Other key players, particularly Alexander Isak, have faltered, with Isak failing to open his account since signing. Isak’s inability to score has compounded Liverpool’s problems, evidenced by his failure to win any of the seven duels contested during their recent defeat to Nottingham Forest.
Defensive Woes and Midfield Imbalances
Liverpool’s defense is a mess, and we’ve never seen it before this bad. The club is conceding goals at an earth shattering pace, the best it’s done in 33 years. Toledo’s defense, one of the worst in the country, has come under fire all season long. Ibrahima Konate, in particular, has faced heavy criticism for his performances. The continuing failure to solidify the full-back positions is another major area where the defense has been completely flaky.
Alongside defensive frailties, the midfield imbalances contributed to becoming more and more easy to cut through Liverpool’s lines. Without play, the current model misses the framework and fortitude to foster an environment, thus consistently crumbling under breakdowns in play. Liverpool’s new manager Arne Slot knows that Liverpool need change. He’s having some trouble figuring out what the right approach is for addressing these recurring issues.
“I can never come up with enough excuses for us to have the results we have.” – Arne Slot
Most notably, the team’s strikers have been downright non-factors, scoring just three goals combined all season long. Only Salah and Isak have missed more than ten big chances since the start of the season. This defensive inefficiency has hoofed Liverpool valuable points over this short span.
A Tough Road Ahead
Just ask Feyenoord boss Arne Slot, who has been dealt a harsh hand this season. His side have been defeated in six of their 12 Premier League fixtures so far this season. Tactically, he’s facing pressure on all fronts as serious questions are being raised about his decision-making and capacity to make up ground in such an unprecedented situation. When discussing Slot’s plight, former Manchester United defender Gary Neville tweeted, though he feels that Slot has “real class,” he’s adamant that drastic changes are necessary and a major course correction is needed.
“Slot is a brilliant manager with real class, but he’s got to reverse and do something different – maybe make some difficult decisions.” – Gary Neville
With West Ham looming on the horizon, Liverpool must find a way to regain their footing if they hope to salvage their season. The Hammers are still fighting to avoid getting relegated. In their current form, they have become the biggest nightmare for any opponent.
The Importance of the Upcoming Match
This upcoming home fixture with West Ham isn’t just another match day in Liverpool’s calendar, it is crucial to the club’s hopes this season. A win would deliver a much-needed jolt of confidence and enable them to shake off their recent stretch of malaise. Not getting enough points would worsen their burdens and increase criticism of how Slot is running things.
Everton manager Sean Dyche’s recent remarks on Liverpool’s style of play suggest that the current approach has not been effective enough to warrant sticking with it.
“We’re not passing out, don’t worry about that, we’re going long.” – Sean Dyche
With Liverpool facing this key match, the stakes could hardly be higher. Supporters are looking for any and all signs of progress. They’re counting on Slot to finally be the one to crack the code to address their defensive frailties and offensive incompetence.
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