Liverpool don win about 70% of their matches across all competitions this season and currently dey second for Premier League. But despite the fine record, Arne Slot and him team dey face serious wahala wey fit soon turn to crisis.
After last season fairytale campaign under their Dutch coach, everybody expect the Reds to carry the same fire enter this season. The heavy summer spending suppose build dynasty, but instead e don scatter the balance of the team wey dominate last year.
Liverpool early-season seven-match winning streak just be like fine packaging without real content. Na luck carry dem go that far — late goals, close escapes — but now the luck don run dry.
Before the October international break, dem lose three straight games — something wey never happen since 2023. Losses to Crystal Palace, Galatasaray and Chelsea all show clear signs say things no dey right.
Now wey football pause small, Slot get chance to analyze and fix the main problems before him players return. Below na the four major areas wey him must address this international break.
1. Defensive Disintegration
Liverpool defence don scatter. Even when dem dey win, the backline dey always look confused. Any team wey get boldness to attack dem with speed and numbers dey always get joy.
For example, in Liverpool first five victories, dem blow two-goal lead three times. Even for the Community Shield, dem lose on penalties after Crystal Palace equalize twice. For their last three defeats, dem don dey trail before 16 minutes reach. Na clear sign of defensive disorder.
Right now, the Reds don concede 9 goals in the league — more than Everton, Sunderland and Bournemouth — and dem dey allow 1.38 expected goals per match. The same unit wey top clean-sheet chart last season now dey leak anyhow.
Part of the problem na the new full-backs. Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez too attack-minded, leaving space wide open during transitions. The two never even settle for the starting lineup. Add Mac Allister’s fitness problems, Konaté and Van Dijk’s drop in form, plus new attacking stars disturbing balance — everything just mix together to spoil the defensive shape.
Slot need both personnel and tactical adjustments if him wan fix this mess. Until the defence stabilize, Liverpool no fit dream of defending the title successfully.
2. Ibrahima Konaté’s Implosion
Wetin happen to Ibrahima Konaté? The French defender don turn scapegoat for Liverpool defensive collapse — and e no hard to see why. His form this season don fall drastically, and Real Madrid transfer rumours no dey help matters.
Reports dey say he fit follow Trent Alexander-Arnold go Santiago Bernabéu for free next summer, but with the kind poor displays he dey show, Madrid fit even lose interest.
Konaté don look clumsy — bad positioning, rash tackles, weak passes. Strikers like Jean-Philippe Mateta and Victor Osimhen don use am shine. Before, he fit have one bad game here and there, but now, na almost every match problem dey. Slot must decide whether to protect am or find another solid partner for Van Dijk.
3. The Florian Wirtz Conundrum
Florian Wirtz still get world-class potential, no doubt, but for now, his Liverpool journey no too smooth. The £116 million German playmaker still dey struggle adapt to new system and league, and his presence don create tactical imbalance.
Since Dominik Szoboszlai move from the No.10 role, Wirtz don occupy the position — but unlike Szoboszlai, he no dey press or defend much. That one dey leave Liverpool with one man short anytime dem lose possession.
Wirtz prefer to stay close to the opponent box to create or score goals, but the problem be say Liverpool no dey used to that kind pure attacking midfielder. Under Slot, that space suppose dey balanced by hard-working midfielders — something wey still never gel.
Slot biggest headache now na how to fit Wirtz inside the lineup without breaking team structure. It no get quick fix, but he must find the balance before the season run far.
4. Mohamed Salah’s Malaise
Mohamed Salah carry Liverpool last season — 34 goals, 23 assists, pure madness. But right now, the Egyptian no dey operate at that same level. He still get 3 goals and 3 assists in 9 games, but his general play don drop heavily.
His dribble success rate na just 12.5%, and he don miss three big chances — more than any other Liverpool player. His usual sharpness, acceleration and finishing edge don cool down. For player wey Liverpool rely on so much, this dip na big issue.
At 33 years old, Salah still get class, but he gats step up again if Liverpool wan regain confidence. When the main man no dey deliver at top level, the whole attack dey feel am.
Conclusion
Liverpool still get everything to fight for this season, but Arne Slot must act fast. The team defensive structure dey in crisis, key players dey lose form, and new signings still dey find rhythm. If Slot fit use this international break well to reset and re-strategize, the Reds fit bounce back stronger. But if not — the title defence fit collapse before Christmas.
