Liverpool boast top three most creative players in the CL this season, Slot must use them properly - opinion
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Liverpool have improved in the Champions League after their defeat to Galatasaray, thanks to some of the most creative players.Arne Slot’s side went into the game on Wednesday against Eintracht Frankfurt with the pressure to deliver following a run of four straight defeats in all competitions, and they did just that.In their German excursion, the Reds survived a very early scare from Rasmus Kristensen to beat the home side 5-1 with goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Hugo Ekitike, to name two.Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis. It was always going to be difficult going into that game, trying to put the past issues behind them; however, they did incredibly well to focus on the team in front of them and produce an improved overall performance.There are signs that this season Liverpool will have a good chance in this competition.
Despite the surprising loss to the Turkish team, there is still an opportunity to qualify outright.Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty ImagesCody Gakpo, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Florian Wirtz top the big chance created chartThey will be able to do this, especially with the talent at their disposal, which has been integral in creating chances for the side this season.In the Champions League statistics overall, Cody Gakpo, Szoboszlai, and Florian Wirtz take up the top three positions on the chart for big chances created in the European tournament this season.READ MORE: Data shows Liverpool are being targeted by opponents in one very specific way this seasonGakpo has taken the top spot with five, as the Hungarian and Wirtz sit in a joint position, alongside Nuno Mendes, with four in the three games this season.What this proves is that the side does have what it takes to be an incredible force this season, and these three men should be at the heart of moving forward in the competition.The Dutch winger is a definite starter in all competitions because he occupies the left flank consistently with energy, effort, and often produces for Slot.Szoboszlai is much the same in his own way because he has been such a special talent this season and somehow stepped up from the heights he had in the Premier League winning campaign.This European style of play is exactly the environment in which Wirtz thrives, so it would be ridiculous not to have him start in every game.These three put together clearly bring what is needed to a side that this season has struggled in different aspects as they all together bring the cohesion necessary to succeed.What does Liverpool’s Champions League campaign look like from now on?Currently, Liverpool are sitting in 10th with six points and a positive goal difference of four, which is okay in this early stage.Before the year is out, they do have some tough tests with arguably the hardest in Real Madrid occurring in just under two weeks.They will also have to face the likes of PSV and Inter Milan, which could pose some problems.It is difficult with the new format to know exactly how each game will pan out, given that it is not the old group format.But that difference of opponent does favour the Reds, who can adapt to their opponent’s style without giving anything away, like in the old format over two games.