Lewis Steele: How Liverpool can avoid a ‘crisis’ after recent results | OneFootball

Slotball Slump: Why Liverpool’s Momentum Has Stalled Under Arne Slot

Liverpool’s early-season dominance under Arne Slot once looked effortless. Seven wins from seven suggested the dawn of a new tactical era — one built on control, intensity, and clinical precision. Yet as the campaign has unfolded, cracks have started to appear in the so-called Slotball revolution. The Reds now find themselves facing questions about structure, mentality and form.

As Lewis Steele put it, “There are many, many problems with Liverpool at the moment… the only number 20 right now is the number of problems for Arne Slot and Liverpool — and that’s probably a conservative estimate.”

Mounting Signs of a Slotball Slump

Slot’s arrival brought optimism. His progressive, high-possession football promised to re-energise a squad that had tired under the relentless tempo of the previous era. But as Steele observed, “Liverpool have been riding their luck for a long time now and it’s caught up with them in the last week.”

Early wins masked deeper issues. “The drama was good, but the performances weren’t,” Steele noted. “Liverpool did not deserve to be seven from seven.” The lack of control in midfield and the growing defensive instability have now been punished, exposing the fragile foundations beneath the results.

While Slot’s philosophy depends on fluid build-up play, defensive balance, and composure in transition, Liverpool’s recent matches have featured none of the above. A team once celebrated for its aggression and cohesion has looked oddly disconnected.

Salah’s Struggles and Liverpool’s Diminished Cutting Edge

Few players embody Liverpool’s changing fortunes more than Mohamed Salah. Once the reliable match-winner, his influence has waned in recent weeks. Steele’s assessment was blunt: “Mo Salah’s not been performing this season, and because of that Liverpool haven’t been performing either.”

Statistically, the decline is clear. “His shots, touches in the opposition box, chances created and dribbles are all down. Everything for Salah is down.” Whether this reflects tactical misalignment or simple fatigue, Liverpool’s reliance on the Egyptian remains glaring.

Steele asked the defining question: “When Salah’s not performing, who is there to step up and win games for Liverpool?” With new arrivals like Florian Wirtz still adapting and Alexander Isak struggling for fitness, the creative and scoring burden continues to fall heavily on Salah. Slot’s challenge is to ensure that others — particularly Wirtz — can assume greater responsibility in the final third.

Defensive Disarray and Tactical Uncertainty

A defining feature of Liverpool’s dominance in previous seasons was a watertight defence anchored by Virgil van Dijk. That stability has evaporated. “The whole defence just looks way off the pace,” Steele explained. “If you want to win a title, it’s built on a good defence — and Liverpool are leaking chances.”

Steele added: “Virgil van Dijk hasn’t been near his best form. Ibrahima Konaté has been poor since criticising fans.” The right-back position remains a persistent weakness. “The right-back issue is becoming a real problem. I’m not convinced by either of the traditional right-backs.”

The absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold looms large. “They’re missing Trent massively — not just for his passing, but for how he changes the shape of the team.” Without his creativity from deep, Liverpool’s buildup play has grown predictable, slowing transitions and limiting their width.

Solvable Problems, But Urgent Answers Needed

Despite the slump, Steele insists calmness is required. “Slot’s got a lot of problems to solve, but let’s not have wholesale panic yet. They’re only one point off the top — the issues are solvable.” His call for patience is well-timed: “It’s not time to throw in the towel. Calm down. As I always say, the issues are there, but they’re solvable.”

Slot’s tactical blueprint still holds promise — structured pressing, positional discipline and intelligent rotation — but it will require refinement. With key players returning and time on his side, the Dutchman can still steady the ship.

The Slotball Slump may yet prove a temporary wobble rather than a terminal decline. But to regain momentum, Liverpool must rediscover the urgency, balance and ruthlessness that once defined them.