Liverpool have a persistent issue that Arne Slot must solve ahead of facing rejuvenated Leeds - opinion
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Arne Slot does not seem to be learning his lesson as the same problems keep happening game after game.The Reds were far from convincing against Sunderland but still managed to get a point, a result that is actually very good given everything that has gone on this season.But as well as failing to win, the overall performance is something that just was not good enough again, with Slot running out of ideas and, subsequently, time.Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis. Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images 👇 Join the debate; share your insight.
Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say There are certainly plenty of problems, but there is one clear one that is happening week in, week out, with this no different against Sunderland.Teams are starting to clock onto this too, with it putting Liverpool on the back foot from the get-go, which is why it must now change.Liverpool start games too slowlyUnder Jurgen Klopp, especially at Anfield, Liverpool would come flying out of the blocks and get at teams from the start, setting the tempo from early on.This would quite literally strike fear into their opponents, with the home crowd roaring the Reds on and making it hell for the opposing team for 90 minutes.Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty ImagesBut under Slot this season, but especially in the last few games, Liverpool have started incredibly slowly, with the defenders just passing the ball between them.Of course keeping possession is key, but starting so lacklustre allows the other team to settle into the game and feel like they can get something out of it, which is exactly how Sunderland felt on Wednesday night.It all just feels so pedestrian and like they are going through the motions, with this not something Liverpool should be associated with.A telling sign of how poor they start games can be shown by a very damning statistic too, as Liverpool have failed to score in the first half of four successive Premier League games for the first time since February 2023. This for me now is a real breaking point in the relationship.” 👇 Join the debate; share your insight.
Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say One big change Slot made when he arrived was to take Liverpool from a ‘heavy metal’ team to one a bit more controlled, which worked a treat last season.But now, it feels too controlled and they are not taking any risks, with the build up too slow and easy to predict.So now, the Reds need to get back to their attacking roots and utilise the quality they have at the top end of the pitch, while moving the ball at speed.The days of the free-flowing counter attacks seem to be over, but if Slot is to save his job, he might need to bring this back. Join Our NewsletterReceive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox