Right now, it feels like Liverpool have built a really talented squad that doesn’t quite fit together. Not in a "they’re not good enough" way, more in a "we’ve bought another solution to a problem we still can’t properly define" way. And that’s why this summer has been a bit disappointing so far.
The big issue for me is the middle of the pitch. We’ve essentially got three players who look happiest operating as number tens: Mac Allister, Szoboszlai and Wirtz. All quality in their own way, all wanting touches in similar areas, all trying to knit things together. The problem is you can’t cram them into the same spaces and expect the team to stay balanced. You can try, but you end up with a side that looks clever on the ball and slightly soft everywhere else.
When everyone wants the same spaces
It’s not that any of them can’t play in a different role. They can. Liverpool players always end up doing a bit of everything. But there’s a difference between being able to fill in and being naturally suited to a role that makes the whole side tick.
When you play multiple creators in the same band of the pitch, somebody has to do the ugly work. Somebody has to hold position, cover transitions, and let others take risks. If that’s not clear, you get that familiar feeling: we look a bit open when we lose it, and a bit crowded when we win it back.
Wirtz expectations and the early-days caveat
I’ll be honest, I’ve been mostly disappointed by Wirtz so far, but it’s also possible that’s on my expectations rather than his actual level. New league, new teammates, new tempo, and injuries in and around the squad don’t help anyone settle. Sometimes you only see a player properly once the structure around them stops wobbling.
That’s the thing: it still feels early. But it also feels like the summer investment has left us with more questions than answers, which is the opposite of what you want after a window.
Full-backs and a best XI we still can’t name
The other lingering one is the full-backs. We still don’t really know who they should be, or what we want from them match to match. Are they meant to tuck in, overlap, invert, play safe, play wild? You can’t get the best out of midfielders like these if the width and the rest-defence behind them isn’t settled.
And then there’s the bigger point: we still don’t know Arne Slot’s best team or his clearest way of playing with this group. Last season, it felt like we got a decent read on the plan fairly early. This time, it’s foggier.
Time will tell, of course. It always does. But Liverpool can’t afford to spend too long finding out what they’ve actually built.
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