James Pearce: Slot’s Liverpool shaped by defensive flaws and Wirtz dilemma | OneFootball

Liverpool’s Growing Pains Under Slot Demand Swift Solutions

Liverpool’s bright start to the campaign has been checked by successive defeats against Crystal Palace and Galatasaray. Arne Slot insisted after the loss in Istanbul that “we are not so far off the level,” but the evidence suggested otherwise. His side remain Premier League leaders, yet the frailties that surfaced in Turkey require swift correction.

Defensive struggles undermine progress

The defensive bedrock of last season has eroded. Only two clean sheets in ten games illustrate a worrying slide. James Pearce of The Athletic noted how “Liverpool have lost the solidity and control that was the bedrock of their success last term.” Ibrahima Konate’s regression has compounded the issue. His misjudged pass against Galatasaray led directly to Alisson’s injury when the keeper rushed back to stop Victor Osimhen.

Virgil van Dijk summed it up post-match. “They got the penalty and opportunities through our mistakes — a bit sloppy. We have to keep working and sticking together. There shouldn’t be panic, but improvement is needed.” Slot may soon lean on Joe Gomez while Andy Robertson’s absence at left-back continues to be felt.

Rotation complicates chemistry

Liverpool’s £449 million summer rebuild brought options, but also disruption. In Istanbul, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Cody Gakpo and Curtis Jones started, while Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak and Alexis Mac Allister sat out. It was the first time Salah had missed a Champions League game that mattered since 2022, a call that raised eyebrows.

Photo: IMAGO

Pearce observed that “relegating the Egyptian attacker to bench duty and experimenting with a new right-sided combination in such a hostile environment was a big call. It didn’t pay off.” Slot defended his rotation policy, insisting, “you simply cannot play them every single game. Well, you can, but then that could become a risk of players getting injured.” The logic is clear, but constant change has disrupted cohesion.

Wirtz and midfield balance

Florian Wirtz’s £116 million arrival was supposed to reshape Liverpool’s creativity, yet the 22-year-old is still adapting. “It’s now eight Premier League and Champions League games combined for Liverpool without either a goal or an assist,” Pearce highlighted. In Istanbul, Wirtz lost possession 14 times and cut a frustrated figure.

By accommodating him, Slot has unsettled a midfield structure that was so effective last season. Ryan Gravenberch, Szoboszlai and Mac Allister offered balance, but fitness concerns and tactical tweaks have undermined that understanding. Slot must decide whether to persist with Wirtz centrally or protect him until he settles.

Wasteful attack raises concerns

Despite 67 per cent possession and an expected goals tally higher than Galatasaray’s, Liverpool failed to capitalise. Ekitike missed a golden chance before conceding the penalty, while Gakpo’s rebound was cleared off the line. Isak, still searching for rhythm, had just four touches after coming on.

Pearce wrote that “with so much focus on Salah not hitting the heights of last season, Gakpo’s lack of output has gone under the radar.” That drought, combined with Salah’s reduced role, has left the attack looking blunt. Federico Chiesa’s return may offer relief, but Slot must find a sharper, settled forward line quickly.

As Pearce concluded, “Slot has a lot to sort out.” The Premier League table may flatter Liverpool, but without defensive resilience, midfield balance and clinical finishing, the cracks could widen.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From a supporter’s perspective, the situation is both frustrating and strangely reassuring. Frustrating because Liverpool had enough chances and quality to avoid defeat, reassuring because the problems feel fixable rather than fatal.

The defensive lapses are the most glaring. Konate’s inconsistency is becoming a liability, and many fans are calling for Gomez to step in alongside Van Dijk until stability returns. The back line simply cannot keep gifting opportunities at this level.

The Wirtz debate divides opinion. Some fans see a £116 million signing struggling to make an impact and fear another high-profile flop. Others, more patient, recognise he is a young talent adapting to new surroundings and argue that his brilliance will emerge with time. Slot’s challenge is to balance expectation with reality.

Up front, Ekitike looks lively but raw, Isak appears rusty, and Gakpo is fading. Salah’s reduced minutes in Istanbul were baffling to many supporters. For most, the Egyptian still feels indispensable in big games.

The optimism comes from perspective. Liverpool sit top of the Premier League and remain well placed in Europe. Slot’s Liverpool are evolving, but evolution is rarely smooth. Fans will hope lessons are quickly absorbed before clashes with Chelsea and beyond set the tone for the months ahead.