The roar of the crowd at Rams Park in Istanbul, coupled with a 1-0 defeat to Galatasaray, served as a stark, undeniable signal: this is not the Liverpool we knew. While the necessity of squad rotation is a constant companion for any team balancing domestic and European ambitions, the current iteration of the Reds under coach Arne Slot is raising eyebrows, not least those of club legend Jamie Carragher. What was once a well-oiled machine, cruising to a Premier League title just last season, now appears to be a collection of talented individuals struggling to find harmony.
The “Basketball” Analogy: A Team Unbalanced
Carragher’s critique cuts deep, describing Liverpool`s current style as “basketball” – a relentless, end-to-end affair lacking the control and defensive solidity expected of a top-tier team. This isn`t just about losing two games; it`s about the manner in which they`re playing, a pattern that, according to Carragher, has been evident throughout their first nine matches. “I don`t feel like I`m watching a top team,” he stated bluntly. This isn`t merely the lament of a pundit; it’s a tactical observation that points to a fundamental imbalance.
The lineup against Galatasaray offered a glimpse into Slot`s current predicament. Jeremie Frimpong, a player many expected to fill Trent Alexander-Arnold`s boots, found himself on the wing, while Dominik Szoboszlai, a midfielder by trade, was deployed at right-back. This positional musical chairs, while perhaps born of necessity, highlights a deeper issue: players are not operating in roles where they can consistently excel, leading to a disconnect between attack and defense.
“I don`t feel like I`m watching a top team. Liverpool aren`t playing football at the moment, they`re playing basketball, it`s end to end, and I don`t think top teams play like that.” — Jamie Carragher
Key Players Out of Tune
The struggles aren`t isolated to positional shifts. Florian Wirtz, a promising talent, finds himself at the heart of the criticism. Having been the creative fulcrum at Bayer Leverkusen, his role at Liverpool, overshadowed by the prolific Mohamed Salah, has seen his influence wane. His touches per 90 minutes have plummeted from 78 to 60, and his shooting output has halved. While adjustment to a new league and a new team with a different offensive focal point is expected, the current trajectory is undeniably hurting the team`s balance.
Defensively, the picture is equally grim. Ibrahima Konate, typically a stalwart, is struggling for form. The departure of young defender Jarell Quansah to Leverkusen, seeking a guaranteed starting spot, now looks like a painful decision given Liverpool`s thinning defensive ranks. With Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez as the only other natural center-backs, and injuries sidelining others, Slot is facing a genuine conundrum at the back. Szoboszlai, playing out of position, even conceded the penalty that led to the decisive goal against Galatasaray. It`s almost as if every effort to plug one gap inadvertently opens another.
From Charmed Life to Immediate Challenge
Last season, Arne Slot enjoyed a remarkably smooth ride, losing only two matches in 27 across all competitions en route to a Premier League title. This season, that same benchmark has been met in just nine games. The transition from club legend Jürgen Klopp was always going to be a monumental task, but Slot inherited a squad seemingly ready to win. Now, the shine has worn off with surprising speed, forcing the Dutchman to earn his salary in a much more demanding fashion than perhaps anticipated.
The financial commitments made to new players demand immediate returns, yet the team`s balance remains elusive. As Slot grapples with these issues, the clock is ticking. Liverpool may still be at the summit of the Premier League, but a crucial clash with Chelsea looms, with Arsenal breathing down their necks, eager to capitalize on any slip-up.
Carragher`s Blueprint: A Path to Recovery
So, how does Slot navigate this early-season tempest? Carragher offers a few strategic adjustments:
1. Restore the Midfield Engine: Szoboszlai`s Return
The formidable partnership of Alexis Mac Allister and Szoboszlai in midfield was a cornerstone of Liverpool`s previous success, offering both defensive bite and creative spark. With Conor Bradley`s return, the need for Szoboszlai at right-back diminishes. Moving him back to his natural central role could reignite the midfield, providing the two-way ability that Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch have yet to consistently demonstrate.
2. Define Frimpong`s Role: Wing-Back or Winger?
Jeremie Frimpong`s arrival was meant to bolster the squad, but his deployment has been inconsistent. As a wing-back at Leverkusen, he thrived by getting forward. Playing him as a traditional right-back in a back four has limited his attacking impact and exposed his defensive vulnerabilities. Slot`s experimental use of Frimpong on the wing against Galatasaray indicates an acknowledgment of his attacking prowess. The challenge now is to carve out a consistent role that maximizes his strengths, even if it means rethinking the tactical setup or carefully managing Salah`s minutes.
3. The Gravenberch Gambit: A Defensive Wildcard?
With Giovanni Leoni out for the season and Konate struggling, Liverpool`s defensive depth is dangerously thin. Carragher`s radical suggestion to consider Ryan Gravenberch at center-back, drawing on his occasional deeper roles in a back three, speaks volumes about the current predicament. While not his natural position in a back four, the “positional flexibility” that has characterized Liverpool teams could be a desperate yet necessary avenue to explore before the January transfer window offers any respite. It`s a calculated risk, but one that might be forced upon Slot.
The Road Ahead: Identity and Urgency
The current Liverpool squad features four new starters from last season, all of whom are expected to play pivotal roles. Integrating them effectively while maintaining a cohesive team identity is Slot`s immediate and most pressing challenge. Arsenal, under Mikel Arteta, has found its rhythm and game plan. Liverpool, too, needs to rediscover its own. The upcoming fixtures, starting with Chelsea, will not only test their resolve but also determine whether this early-season malaise is a temporary blip or a symptom of a deeper, more systemic issue. Time, as always in football, is a luxury Arne Slot can ill afford.
Gareth Pendleton