LIVERPOOL have been method off their greatest stage within the early phases of their title defence — and but they’ve secured back-to-back wins, new striker Hugo Ekitike appears the half and 16-year-old sensation Rio Ngumoha is breaking information.
Not dangerous, some would say — and honest level. Scoring winners within the 88th and A hundredth minute to start out the season is the hallmark of champions, and although the title race has solely simply begun, these targets might be vastly essential come Might.
There’s a ‘however’, although…
For all of the heroics and high-octane drama and emotion that has been skilled within the first fortnight of the season, there have been important teething issues for Arne Slot and Co.
They gained the title at a canter final 12 months, however the chasing pack have all strengthened. Arsenal, who come to Anfield on Sunday, look stronger and now have a No 9. Manchester Metropolis, regardless of their annual loss to Tottenham, have improved, whereas Chelsea appear to be contenders underneath Enzo Maresca.
So, if Liverpool are to go back-to-back and defend their Premier League crown, they should type out a number of points. Chief amongst them is the shaky defence following a busy summer season that noticed them signal two new full backs and a younger centre half.
Rio Ngumoha’s A hundredth-minute winner made him Liverpool’s youngest ever goalscorer and likewise snatched a second win from two video games to start out the Premier League title defence
However the late winners have papered over the cracks in Liverpool’s defence, letting a 2-0 lead slip in each of their league video games up to now
Liverpool have shipped six targets already this time period in three aggressive fixtures, together with the Neighborhood Protect defeat to Crystal Palace at Wembley.
Final 12 months, it took till the thirteenth match of the season and October 27 to concede their sixth purpose.
The foundations of the heroics of profitable the title – but in addition setting in movement a table-topping Champions League group part and run to the Carabao Cup last – had been a strong defensive construction. Blowing groups away was uncommon, it was extra about superb margins.
A 12 months on, Liverpool have wanted late winners to stop them dropping factors within the first two league video games. You make your personal luck in soccer so take nothing away from these tremendous targets from Federico Chiesa and Rio Ngumoha, however will they’ve such luck within the coming weeks? Or will they should tighten up on the again to make sure victory?
Right here we have a look at the early defensive points bothering Liverpool.
Konate conundrum
It’s harsh to level fingers however Ibrahima Konate has been removed from his greatest.
For Antoine Semenyo’s equaliser within the opener in opposition to Bournemouth, the Frenchman by no means engaged and let the Ghanaian run amok and dart via the Reds defence. ‘What’s he doing, oh my God, he has been completely stunning,’ stated Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports activities.
He was not a lot better for William Osula’s equaliser for Newcastle on Monday, overwhelmed far too simply within the air by Dan Burn for that purpose throughout a poor efficiency during which he misplaced possession cheaply and picked up a foolish yellow card. ‘He’s not on the races in any respect,’ was Carragher’s verdict this time.
Konate’s central defensive companion Virgil van Dijk has gained 17 aerial duels this season, Konate has gained two. Three matches just isn’t a good pattern dimension to hammer Konate however given there was no breakthrough in talks over a brand new contract – discussions began in late 2024 and his deal expires on the finish of this season – it’s honest to say his future is unsure.
Ibrahima Konate appears off the tempo within the opening few video games and his contract expires subsequent summer season, amid curiosity from Actual Madrid
Konate was additionally caught chilly by Antoine Semenyo within the opening sport of the season as he fired Bournemouth stage at Anfield
Liverpool have had a long-term curiosity in signing Marc Guehi, the Crystal Palace captain, and can make one other transfer to take action this week within the hope that Selhurst Park chief Steve Parish reduces the asking value. Like Konate, the England worldwide’s deal expires in June.
He’s eager to make the transfer however, if it doesn’t materialise now, Guehi is joyful to attend till subsequent summer season when he can transfer on a free. Many suppose he could be coming in as a deputy possibility however the former Chelsea academy star would fancy his probabilities of making the most effective XI.
Kerkez teething issues
There have additionally been query marks over new left again Milos Kerkez, the £40million signing from Bournemouth. Introduced in because the long-term substitute for 31-year-old Andy Robertson, the most effective verdict on the Hungarian up to now might be ‘blended evaluations’. Some good bits, some dangerous.
One dangerous was the way in which he was overwhelmed far too simply within the air by Bruno Guimaraes for Newcastle’s first purpose at St James’ Park on Monday night time when he did not get off the bottom.
Lacking midfielders
Liverpool’s defensive worries usually are not particular person issues, although. It’s the entire package deal and that additionally counts for the midfield base and new No 10 Florian Wirtz. The settled duo of Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch are but to play collectively owing to suspension and accidents.
Slot’s males have conceded 3.7 Opta-defined ‘huge probabilities’ per 90 minutes up to now this season, in comparison with 1.9 final 12 months. They’re going through extra pictures, their xG in opposition to is greater and the headline quantity is the targets conceded per sport is greater than double final 12 months’s 0.98.
Delving even deeper into the information, Liverpool have conceded two targets from quick breaks, successfully counter-attacks.
Late within the Bournemouth sport, with Liverpool 2-1 up, their three central midfielders, Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones and Wirtz, are all within the opposition field when the Reds lose the ball. With the complete backs pushed on as properly it leaves Bournemouth to interrupt with 4 on two (Van Dijk and Konate). Antoine Semenyo duly carries the ball 70 yards earlier than firing the Cherries stage.
Florian Wirtz has are available for some criticism for his work fee, however the stats inform a distinct story
Ryan Gravenberch’s return ought to result in much more defensive solidity to cease Liverpool being caught on the counter
Final season, Liverpool let in simply three targets from quick breaks all 12 months. The door to transitioning in opposition to the Reds is extra open than ever.
Gravenberch’s absence within the Neighborhood Protect (his companion was giving beginning) and the league opener (suspended after a purple card within the last sport of final season) is the final word issue behind this. Had he been there, the probabilities of these counter-attacks could be a lot decrease.
There has additionally been some criticism of £116m man Wirtz, with some followers questioning whether or not he places in the identical laborious yards as Dominik Szoboszlai, who performed in the identical No 10 position for many of final season.
But, working information suggests Wirtz is Liverpool’s hardest-working participant this 12 months in line with the common distance protection per 90 minutes. That’s 11.4km for Wirtz, barely greater than the charges of Szoboszlai and Mac Allister for final 12 months.
Wobbly line
The positioning of Liverpool’s defensive position at free-kicks has additionally been questioned this season. For the Osula purpose the defence was excessive up the pitch which means they had been put into back-pedal mode when Nick Pope kicked lengthy. On different occassions they had been arrange within the field, leaving keeper Alisson with a sea of our bodies to barter when coming for the ball.
Slot, when challenged on this new-look, open ebook Liverpool, has insisted he has loved his facet’s performances up to now.
That they’ve supplied nice leisure and what’s to not like?
However the supervisor can be properly conscious his group wanted to money in some good luck within the first two video games to be two out of two. And realizing what we learn about Slot, he’ll proper these wrongs and stiffen up that defence earlier than too lengthy.
