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Dean Henderson assesses the ball’s positioning in his penalty area, launching a potent counterattack. On the other side of the pitch, Curtis Jones urges Jeremy Frimpong to retreat to the backline, anticipating the opposition’s advance. While this may not seem like a significant moment, it illustrates a broader challenge that Liverpool is facing, stemming from this summer’s major restructuring of Arne Slot’s squad.
Frimpong has made significant contributions during his four-and-a-half years at Bayer Leverkusen, excelling as a dynamic dribbler, penalty box poacher, and playmaker. However, he often found himself playing outside traditional norms when reverting to a four-man defense. Xabi Alonso’s tactics maximize his effectiveness, as evidenced by Frimpong’s impressive stats of 347 plays and 38 touches inside the opponent’s penalty area over the past two seasons.
His instinct to push forward poses difficulties for Liverpool’s opponents, particularly when he overlaps, as seen in a notable moment against Henderson. Though Ibrahima Konaté’s recovery speed is commendable, he often compensates for a right-back who ventures too far upfield. Liverpool, having anticipated the need for a more conventional replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold, instead welcomed a player who prioritizes offensive contributions. This raises an important question: how proficient must a defender be offensively to alleviate the defensive responsibilities of their teammates?
This issue might be mitigated by strategically positioning fullbacks, a common trend in tactical play over the last three decades. Milos Kerkez has shown offensive instincts reminiscent of his time in Bournemouth, creating channels for Cody Gakpo and Hugo Ekitike during their first-half synergy. Kerkez was also pivotal in the buildup to Ekitike’s opening goal.
Liverpool’s revamped offense displays promise, but their Community Shield defeat exposes a blueprint that Premier League teams may exploit. James Benge highlights these dynamics, noting that although Liverpool’s offensive cohesion has improved, their defensive vulnerabilities remain a concern.
In contrast, Slot pointed out a notable increase in their attacking prowess during pre-season. The team has generated more opportunities compared to last season, but this comes at the cost of defensive solidity. He acknowledged that while his team performs well in attack, their defensive adjustments are still a work in progress, particularly after conceding multiple goals in recent matches.
Jurgen Klopp once successfully navigated the balance between attacking fullbacks and defensive stability. He previously leveraged a more conservative midfield to ensure structure and security, especially through players like Fabinho and Jordan Henderson, who prioritized maintaining possession before transitioning to offense.
The addition of Dominik Szoboszlai has shifted this dynamic, but with players like Curtis Jones striving for accuracy without penetrating the opposition’s lines, mistakes can lead to scoring opportunities for the other side. Instances of Szoboszlai slipping in midfield led to dangerous counterattacks, stressing the need for a better-performing frontline to reclaim possession.
Liverpool is now averaging fewer recoveries in the final third compared to previous seasons, reflecting a shift in their pressing strategy. As the midfield struggles to execute effectively, their leading forwards like Gakpo and Salah are likened less to prolific figures like Sadio Mané or Roberto Firmino.
Despite substantial investments to improve the squad, Liverpool needs to reassess its defensive solutions, especially if they intend to compete at the highest level this season. The need for a strong, reliable defensive midfielder and adequate support in defensive roles is paramount — finding players who can balance both attacking and defensive responsibilities could prove crucial.
Ultimately, there’s a lot to admire about Liverpool’s potential despite these flaws. Wirtz, who seems to have adapted seamlessly, along with the promising performances from Ekitike and Kerkez, suggests a bright offensive future — but without stronger protection for the defense, their aspirations may falter against top-tier competition.
Fan Take: This evolving strategy at Liverpool reflects a broader trend in modern soccer where the balance between attack and defense is increasingly vital. Fans should watch closely, as successful adaptations could redefine not only Liverpool’s season but also influence tactical approaches across the league.
