There really is no magic formation that is suddenly going to fix Liverpool. You can change the numbers on a graphic all you like, but the issues feel a lot deeper than that at the moment.
The result against Inter was fantastic, no getting around that. Away to a strong side in Europe, you take a clean sheet and move on. We did limit them to very few clear chances, and that is exactly what Arne Slot keeps going back to every time he speaks. You can hear why, because it is probably the first thing he can genuinely point at and say: that is improving.
Defensive Steps, But Let’s Not Get Carried Away
Defensively does feel like the obvious place for him to start getting things right. It is not perfect, not by a long way, but there’s at least a sense that we are conceding fewer big moments than we were. That has shown up against sides like Sunderland and West Ham, where you expected to be put under pressure and, for once, it didn’t feel like every attack would end in panic.
Inter as well are not exactly famous for throwing numbers forward and creating loads, so you have to keep the context in mind. Still, Liverpool managing those games with a bit more calm and structure is clearly something Slot will be clinging to. It is a platform, and for a new manager that is usually where they start: be hard to play through, cut out the chaos, then slowly build on top of that.
Attack Looks Like an Afterthought
The worry is what that focus on the back line seems to be costing us in attack. Right now the attacking play is, frankly, horrific to watch. It feels like every minute on the training ground is being spent on defensive shape and distances, and then the forwards are just told to sort themselves out on the day.
There is no real tempo, no instinctive movement, and very little risk in possession. When the patterns do not click, Slot’s style looks incredibly slow and mundane. You can see what he wants when it is slick and everything is in sync, but we are miles away from that at the minute. As a fan, it is draining watching us take the safe option over and over again.
Game by Game With Slot
That is why, for me, Slot is very much on a game by game basis right now. Inter was a good result and a solid performance, but it was also incredibly dull. You can respect the professionalism and still admit you do not enjoy what you are seeing.
Maybe this is just the painful early bit where the structure goes in first and the attacking freedom follows later. Maybe it never really catches fire. At the moment, though, it is hard to love this version of Liverpool. The best you can say is that it is a step in the right direction at the back, and we have to hope the rest of it starts catching up soon. Until then, it is what it is.
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