Three Premier League defeats saw the Reds lose their grip on the top spot, which raised questions over their recruitment strategy.
| Liverpool in the Premier League | Odds |
|---|---|
| To beat Brentford | 7/10 |
| Isak as anytime goalscorer vs Brentford | 1/1 |
| To draw with Crystal Palace | 15/4 |
Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at time of publishing and subject to change.
Liverpool’s Premier League problems
The Reds headed out to Germany on the back of four successive defeats, and lost ground on Arsenal at the top of the table. They’ve been scoring goals, but nowhere near as many as their attack should be, and results have gone against them. Therefore, their five-goal haul against Frankfurt could not have come at a better time.
The debate over big-money signings Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike rages on, and Slot’s response was to start them both midweek. The latter scored, again, but the former was unable to add to his tally of one goal in what was his eighth game. Time to settle is expected, but with what the Reds paid for the Swede, it will soon become a genuine concern.
Another element to consider is their obvious struggle with ball progression. Last season, both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson ranked in the top 10 for ball progression via passes. Milos Kerkez and Conor Bradley, who have stepped in more this season, are in the 41st and 44th percentile, respectively.
Robertson was handed a rare start against Die Adler, and made it count by setting up the opener. The Reds have won every game that he’s been in the starting XI, proving his worth time and again. It seems likely Slot will continue to call on him more frequently.
The Manchester United defeat in particular, considering their rivalry and the state of the Red Devils, was a bitter pill to swallow. It came at Anfield, too. What happens next could be pivotal in their season.
The Reds’ Frankfurt jumpstart
Slot wanted a reaction after each of their defeats, particularly following the loss to United.
He opted for a slightly more reliable lineup in Germany, with the likes of Andy Robertson and Curtis Jones taking their place in the XI. However, the two-man attack of Ekitike and Isak also boosted their chances. A comeback win with five goals and a Florian Wirtz assist was just what the team needed.
The Reds appear to have turned a corner now, with the Frankfurt victory providing the perfect springboard. Their next test is an away trip to Brentford, and they’ll be confident of getting the three points there. However, their League Cup meeting with Crystal Palace could prove more difficult, depending on how much rotation is utilised.
The next couple of months will see them face Aston Villa, Manchester City and Nottingham Forest, which are all big for one reason or another. Add in the task of hosting Real Madrid in the UCL, and the next six games will be defining.
If it continues, however, their problems will mount. They’ve already dropped to third, and their trip to the Etihad could potentially see a gap open up. The Reds can’t really afford to let that happen if they’re to stand a chance of retaining the title.