Alisson Becker has just proven that Liverpool’s problems are much worse than fans feared - opinion
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Liverpool appear to be stuck in a rut right now and cannot get out.The Reds’ loss to Nottingham Forest means they have now lost eight of their last 11 games, with this leaving them in the bottom half of the table.Arne Slot had the whole international break to think about things and get them right, but even the changes he made were not enough to get the job done, or get remotely close for that matter.Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis. One change he made was to bring Alisson Becker back into the starting XI after a long absence through injury, although even he could not stop Forest’s goals.This will be a little concerning for many reasons, but it has also shown that things might be a lot worse than Liverpool fans perhaps realised.Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty ImagesEven Alisson could not solve the defensive issuesThe biggest problem so far for Liverpool has been their defence as they have let in 20 goals in the league already.Back-to-back 3-0 defeats also show that it has not even been close, with this result unacceptable for the reigning Premier League champions at any time, let alone at home.Many fans were less concerned about this issue as they thought it would improve when Alisson returned, with the Brazilian, with all due respect, levels above Giorgi Mamardashvili.He is much better with the ball at his feet, oozes calmness and leadership, and organises the defence well, or at least he usually does.But against Forest, he was not able to do any of that, showing that it is the players in front of him at fault and not the person between the sticks.READ MORE: Nottingham Forest hand Arne Slot new reason to hate them as Liverpool boss fails to learn key lesson Should Liverpool sack Arne Slot?
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images Mamardashvili tried his best but was largely let down by those around him, with the same looking like it will happen to Alisson.Liverpool need a structural changeWhatever Slot is telling them right now, it is not working and for yet another week, something needs to change.The attack does not press as much, the midfield is far too open and the defence is making too many mistakes, with the goalkeeper, in this case Alisson, having no chance.Liverpool need more bodies in the middle of the park to avoid being overrun, while the defence needs to be more compact, although how to change that is another kettle of fish.It is certainly a tough time for the Reds right now, but there is plenty of time to make a positive change, but Slot needs to enforce this before it costs him his job.