Liverpool suffered a ninth defeat in simply 12 video games in all competitions, as they had been crushed 4-1 by PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.
Right here, Sky Sports activities‘ Adam Bate assesses the important thing points hampering Arne Slot’s aspect at current.
Van Dijk’s type is a fear
Virgil van Dijk conceded an early penalty in Liverpool’s crushing defeat
Virgil van Dijk determined to deal with Wayne Rooney’s criticism from a place of power after a clear sheet and victory over Actual Madrid however three consecutive three-goal defeats have put his type firmly again within the highlight and he was culpable as soon as extra.
The problem for Van Dijk is that he’s a pure chief. He embraces that duty and feels snug directing his teammates across the pitch, providing phrases of encouragement and the odd rebuke. That each one appears completely different when his personal type dips.
Micahel Dawson and the Soccer particular panel react to Virgil Van Dijk gifting away a penalty within the opening minutes in Liverpool’s Champions League match towards PSV
The handball for the penalty got here after he had busied himself complaining to the referee concerning the award of a nook – complaints that continued upon the award of the spot-kick. He was booked quickly after for lunging in, his deal with arriving far too late.
A lot of the scrutiny has been on Mohamed Salah’s decline however the actuality is that each of Liverpool’s bankers – the totems of this workforce for a few years – have been properly beneath their greatest. The problem for Van Dijk is to take care of the aspect’s struggles – and his personal.
Konate nonetheless struggling badly
Van Dijk’s fellow centre-back Ibrahima Konate is hardly serving to his defensive companion. His failure to take care of a easy ball forwards allowed PSV to get in behind within the build-up to the third aim, simply the most recent pricey mistake by a participant who’s struggling badly.
Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate reacts after PSV’s third aim
Had Liverpool been capable of get the deal for Marc Guehi finished in the summertime switch window, Konate could be out of the workforce already. Slot appears to have little religion in Joe Gomez, whereas Giovanni Leoni is out for the season. However this downside wants sorting.
Konate’s poor type is greater than a blip; it’s undermining them regularly. Is it confidence or simply being too informal? Regardless of the situation, Slot can not depend on a participant who ought to be in his prime and with little time between video games, it’s robust to right.
Issues develop over Kerkez
The left-back has made a sluggish begin to his Liverpool profession, dropping his place to Andrew Robertson earlier than the worldwide break. The Scotland worldwide’s exertions for his nation introduced one other alternative however Kerkez has didn’t seize it.
He was troubled from the outset by Sergino Dest and Guus Til. Maybe most worryingly, he might be seen remonstrating with Van Dijk not lengthy earlier than being caught out for PSV’s second aim. His personal teammates rotated in horror to see he had been crushed.
The continued assist of the Anfield crowd is important if the previous Bournemouth participant is to flourish in Liverpool crimson however the true concern is that Kerkez nonetheless has loads of work to do to persuade his colleagues that he’s minimize out to succeed at this soccer membership.
Salah is defensive legal responsibility
There will likely be extra sympathy for Curtis Jones within the different full-back place even when he did give the ball away inexplicably inside his personal space within the second half. Slot is making do at right-back whereas Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong are each unavailable.
Mohamed Salah has scored simply twice for Liverpool since September 17
However whoever operates at right-back will discover themselves focused and remoted whereas it’s Salah enjoying in entrance of them. The winger does little or no defensive work, one thing that was seen as a stylistic success when he was delivering in entrance of aim.
Now his output has dipped, it is a chance for each opponent. For the second PSV aim, Mauro Junior was allowed to wander previous Salah with out a lot as a problem, constructing the transfer from which the Dutch aspect restored their lead and turned the sport.
Isak nonetheless less than pace
Alexander Isak got here off the bench for the ultimate half an hour however couldn’t change the move of the sport. The costly acquisition from Newcastle has made 10 appearances for Liverpool and his solely aim has come towards Southampton within the Carabao Cup.
Isak did hearth off one snap-shot on the angle however the sharpness is missing and he can not but be trusted to supply the type of urgent that Slot desires to see of his striker. The Liverpool boss highlighted that as a difficulty after Hugo Ekitike had a again spasm.
Alexander Isak has solely discovered the web as soon as since becoming a member of Liverpool from Newcastle
When discussing the second-half dip, Slot mentioned: “That had a bit to do with Hugo Ekitike, who straight after half-time felt his again. That’s the reason the press was not aggressive sufficient. If the press isn’t aggressive sufficient, they’ve gamers who can outplay you.”
Isak continues to be ready for his massive second in entrance of aim to ignite his Liverpool profession. However the cause why Ekitike has grow to be a fan favorite so shortly is not only all the way down to him discovering the web, it’s the power he brings. For now, that’s nonetheless missing from Isak’s recreation.
