Journalist explains the real reasons behind Liverpool’s recent struggles | OneFootball

Liverpool’s Teething Problems Demand Calm, Not Crisis Talk

Three consecutive defeats will always spark noise around Liverpool, especially when expectations have been raised by a title-winning debut season under Arne Slot. Losing 2-1 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, following defeats to Crystal Palace and Galatasaray, has led to familiar claims about flawed recruitment or tactical naivety. Yet context matters. Liverpool are still just one point behind Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table. This latest slump has arrived immediately after one of the most aggressive squad overhauls in the club’s modern history.

Giorgi Mamardashvili, Jeremie Frimpong, Giovanni Leoni, Milos Kerkez, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak all arrived. Caoimhin Kelleher, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jarell Quansah, Kostas Tsimikas, Harvey Elliott, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez all departed. That level of turnover demands patience before it shows fluency.

Ball Progression at Centre of Debate

Speaking to Dave Davis for Anfield Index, David Lynch assessed Liverpool’s recent defeat to Chelsea, saying:

“Liverpool had good chances to score and there were so many moments where you think they could’ve done better.”

“If you’re to pick out any common theme from these three games that needs to be solved, it’s the progression of the ball.”

“It feels like every time the ball goes to Konate, you’re sat thinking where on earth is the ball going to go.”

“There are moments where you don’t have confidence in Liverpool’s ability to play out from the back anymore.”

That anxiety has undoubtedly been heightened by the absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold. However, Lynch argues that solutions are within reach.

“I do worry that we miss Trent Alexander-Arnold’s ability to progress the ball from right-back, but 90% of teams don’t have a player like him at right-back so there is a way around it.”

Slot’s Track Record Suggests Resolution Ahead

Rather than joining the chorus of pessimism, Lynch remains confident in Slot’s tactical intelligence.

“This idea that it’s impossible to work out, I just don’t agree with that. I just think there’s teething issues in terms of working it out.”

“There’s these claims that Liverpool’s summer was rubbish or that the manager can’t solve these issues, I just don’t agree. This is a manager whose biggest strength when he first came in was that he massively improved the build-up play, so he can solve these issues.”

Slot’s title-winning campaign was defined by structural control and high-possession dominance. If ball progression has momentarily faltered, it is likely a by-product of unfamiliar combinations rather than systemic rot.

Perspective Needed Amid Overreaction

“But when we’ve been speaking about changing the team and turnover and what it does, this is exactly the sort of issues that you can expect.”

“Loads of these players haven’t played together and the team has changed significantly, so all of the things you did previously, you can’t really do anymore.”

“Some of the hysterics around it are really over the top.”

Liverpool have looked disjointed, yes. Their tempo has dipped, their passing lanes have been slower to form and their decision making at centre-back has at times looked panicked. Yet those flaws exist within recoverable territory. Slot has shown he can restore rhythm before, and there is no reason to believe he will not do so again.