Just eight days ago, the atmosphere around Liverpool was one of cautious optimism. Despite not performing at their peak, the team had consistently found ways to secure victories, leading to a belief they might continue to defy expectations. However, this illusion has been shattered. The reliance on late-game heroics, often dubbed “Slottage Time,” has backfired spectacularly. The champions have now suffered three consecutive defeats, each highlighting the same underlying issues that were present even during their winning run. With nearly 20% of the season complete, Liverpool appears to be a significantly weaker version of the side that clinched the title.
This decline is particularly concerning given coach Arne Slot`s attempt to replicate last season`s successful lineup against Chelsea. A controversial decision saw Florian Wirtz dropped, possibly due to his teammates failing to convert chances he created. Moving Dominik Szoboszlai to the number 10 role proved detrimental to Liverpool`s defensive shape, allowing Moises Caicedo to effortlessly navigate midfield and score an early long-range opener for Chelsea.
Chelsea dominated the early chances, and Liverpool struggled to respond until Wirtz was introduced at halftime. A tactical switch saw Szoboszlai move to right-back, and a fortunate deflection off Alexander Isak from an overlapping cross created the equalizer for Cody Gakpo, leveling the score.
The stage seemed set for another trademark late Liverpool goal, especially considering they had scored eight goals after the 80th minute in their first six games. However, it was Chelsea who displayed greater belief in securing a late winner. They relentlessly attacked Liverpool`s vulnerable right flank, initially defended by Szoboszlai and later by either Ryan Gravenberch or Wataru Endo after further substitutions. After numerous dangerous crosses, Estevao made a decisive run to the back post, converting from close range and inflicting Slot’s third successive defeat—an unprecedented sequence in his tenure. This loss underscores profound issues that even a return to last season`s tactical blueprint couldn`t resolve, despite Liverpool currently holding second place in the league.
1. The Irreplaceable Void of Alexander-Arnold
The departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid was widely anticipated to impact Liverpool`s offensive prowess, specifically his exceptional ball progression and creative output from right-back. Alexander-Arnold is globally renowned as one of the finest passers in football. While players like Ryan Gravenberch and Virgil van Dijk maintain their previous levels of ball progression, the unique, defense-unlocking passing ability of Alexander-Arnold remains unmatched. This deficiency was even more glaring without Florian Wirtz`s inventive contributions in the final third.
Perhaps less expected was the extent to which Liverpool would struggle defensively in Alexander-Arnold`s absence, even with the signing of Jeremie Frimpong. Though Alexander-Arnold`s defensive game was debated, it was demonstrably superior to Conor Bradley`s challenging 45 minutes against Alejandro Garnacho, which saw Bradley substituted to avoid a second yellow card. His replacement, Dominik Szoboszlai, offered attacking qualities reminiscent of Alexander-Arnold, contributing to the equalizer, but failed to stem the defensive tide on the right. In fact, the situation worsened as Szoboszlai was often caught flat-footed and overwhelmed, particularly after Jamie Gittens` introduction. His static positioning allowed Enzo Fernandez to slide a pass to Marc Cucurella, setting up Estevao`s winning goal. Historically, Liverpool managed to protect defensive vulnerabilities at right-back; however, even the introduction of Wataru Endo to cover that area provided no relief. Ibrahima Konate, once a reliable cover for Alexander-Arnold, now appears a shadow of his former self.
Chelsea`s strategy explicitly targeted this defensive weakness. Marc Cucurella confirmed, “We tried to attack always [that side] because we know Salah is always ready to play counter-attack. So we practiced, and the manager told us the spaces might be there.” Liverpool`s failure to adapt during the match highlights a systemic issue that remains unresolved.
2. Mohamed Salah`s Performance Decline
Liverpool previously managed to mitigate defensive concerns on their right flank by leveraging Mohamed Salah`s formidable attacking threat. Opponents were often hesitant to commit their left-backs forward, fearing Salah`s ability to exploit open spaces. Just months ago, giving Salah room to operate was considered a tactical death wish. Now, it appears to be a calculated risk worth taking.
Since Liverpool`s exit from the Champions League, Salah has been a far cry from his dominant best. Across sixteen Premier League games, he has managed just four goals (one penalty) and three assists. His shots per 90 minutes have dropped from 3.7 to 2.2, signaling a broader dip in performance. This substantial decline suggests that the “Egyptian King” might have peaked last season, delivering his final elite campaign in pursuit of more silverware and a lucrative contract.
Against Chelsea, there were only fleeting moments reminiscent of the old Salah. An ambitious outside-of-the-boot cross for Alexander Isak was difficult to convert, and a clear-cut opportunity moments into the second half after anticipating a pass from Wirtz was driven wide. Coach Slot acknowledged Salah`s four chances created and two shots, musing, “Did he create today so much because he didn`t play in the week [against Galatasaray, where he was a substitute], or did he miss the chances because he missed a bit of sharpness? We brought him many times in the positions he`d like to be in. Today he had many opportunities to do what he`s done so often…” Slot rightly noted that even at his peak, Salah didn`t score every chance. However, last season`s feeling of inevitability around his scoring was a key factor in Liverpool`s strong title challenge. If their star player continues to perform below his best, the team will inevitably struggle to replicate their former glories.
3. Lack of Defensive Intensity from the Front
While Liverpool`s defensive statistics show fewer passes allowed per defensive action and a lower opponent pass completion rate this season, these figures could be misleading. They might merely reflect the team`s increased time spent chasing the ball in games where they fail to establish early leads. Such metrics don`t necessarily equate to effective defending.
A more concerning trend is the 10% decrease in attacking third recoveries. This decline is largely attributable to the departures of diligent pressers like Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez, coupled with the tragic loss of Diogo Jota. These players were crucial last season for their tireless off-ball work, often compensating for Mohamed Salah`s less intensive pressing, as he conserved energy for crucial attacking moments. Alexander Isak appears to have adopted a similar approach, making it strikingly easy for opponents, such as Benoit Badiashile, to dissect Liverpool`s lines with passes to players like Joao Pedro.
Once this initial defensive barrier is breached, Liverpool`s structure appears uncertain. A simple flick from Malo Gusto in midfield allowed Moises Caicedo to run into vast open spaces. With Alexis Mac Allister seemingly not at full fitness, other players should be covering these gaps. The first half, in particular, highlighted a remarkable lack of intensity throughout Liverpool`s play, raising questions about the team`s conditioning and tactical execution under Slot, especially given their recent history under Jürgen Klopp. Even at their best, Liverpool failed to match Chelsea`s aggression, despite their hosts missing six central defensive options and featuring a makeshift defense with Reece James and Jorrel Hato. Chelsea were ripe for disruption with an assertive attacking display, yet Liverpool conspicuously failed to deliver. This overall lack of attacking “oomph” and defensive commitment from the front is arguably the most alarming concern for Arne Slot.
