Liverpool remains top of the Premier League table. Their performance stats suggest they don’t necessarily earn this No. The squad has faced monumental odds this year. Defending set-pieces has been a big topic in the debate surrounding their shape and tactics.
This season Liverpool have already shipped four goals from set-pieces, not including penalties. This worrying trend is reminiscent of last season, where they conceded just ten non-penalty set-piece goals all season. Only Leeds have conceded more league-set piece goals than West Ham this season. This paints a clear picture of the immediate need we have to tackle this problem.
At the same time, Liverpool has demonstrated resilience late in matches, scoring a league-high six goals after the 80th minute. This knack for the clutch moments creates optimism among fans and pundits alike. Yet, it makes one wonder about the team’s general conscientiousness to close an entire game out from start to finish.
Set-Piece Vulnerabilities
The issues surrounding Liverpool’s defense have been further compounded by individual performances, particularly those of Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk. Both defenders have faltered mightily at times, sowing doubts about the team’s defensive fortitude.
Even a rival oft slide Arne Slot taken into account how crucial it is to be ready for set-pieces, against any team.
“Every team you face at the moment, you have to be so well prepared when it comes to set-pieces,” – Arne Slot
Slot’s perspective resonates with Liverpool’s current predicament. After parting ways with their previous set-piece coach, the Union have now added Aaron Briggs to the staff. He’s making the move from his last role as the individual development coach. The hope at least is that this shift will go a long way toward correcting their defensive deficiencies in this most crucial area.
Even with all these issues, Liverpool’s offensive talent is still extremely impressive. The team has found unique ways to score and stay competitive, but the defensive lapses continue to overshadow their achievements on the pitch.
Mohamed Salah’s Struggles
One player who has become a sensation is Mohamed Salah. Last year, he was directly involved in more than half of Liverpool’s goals last season, either scoring or assisting. Yet this year, his contributions are way down. His estimated goal involvements have dropped to a paltry 0.4 on average per 90 minutes. Even more troubling, this trend has begun to raise the ire of commentators and fans alike.
Former Liverpool player Jamie Carragher commented on Salah’s current form, stating:
“I think it’s fair to say he hasn’t been great for Liverpool so far.” – Jamie Carragher
Carragher elaborated on Salah’s situation further, noting that the club bears some responsibility for his dip in form:
“But also, I don’t think Liverpool have been great for him so far. Liverpool have got to do more for him because he’s not getting the ball anywhere near as often as he did before.” – Jamie Carragher
This analysis highlights the difficulty Salah’s and Liverpool’s offensive playmaking has had recently. Salah’s overall dynamic with the rest of the squad warrants a re-evaluation. They really need to link up more to develop their attacking tempo.
New Arrivals and Player Adjustments
Liverpool’s recent signings, including Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, have faced difficulties adjusting to their new roles within the team. These struggles tap into a much larger topic of the integration of rookies and their ability to perform when the lights shine brightest.
Florian Wirtz, perhaps their most important new arrival, has undergone a 97% decline in his participation rate. So much so that since arriving on Merseyside from Bayer Leverkusen, his touches have decreased by more than a third. He declined from an average of 86.9 touches per 90 minutes to only 63.7. This blatant disparity further underscores the need for improved tactical execution and more appropriate player deployment.
Amidst these challenges, Alexander Isak recently showcased his potential by scoring his first goal for his new club against Southampton. Any doubts about his performance today should be dispelled, as he is surely an asset down the line as he continues to gain match fitness.
The 2019/20 statistics for Liverpool would once again demonstrate their plight this season. In fact, we’ve only been statistically better than our opponents in two of our six Premier League games. Yet their far worse than expected performance raises the question. Will they be able to maintain their perch at the summit without addressing their clear deficiencies on defense and in midfield?
Hugo Ekitike’s recent red card in a Carabao Cup victory over Southampton further complicates matters for Slot’s side. Slot described Ekitike’s actions as “needless and stupid,” signaling frustration over the team’s discipline during matches.
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