Liverpool is experiencing a disappointing season since winning the Premier League title. And the boos at Anfield after the draw with Chelsea last weekend showed that the patience of fans is gradually running out.
However, coach Arne Slot affirmed that he accurately understands the team's problem and believes that Liverpool will return strongly if there is a summer transfer window as desired.
I know what we need to do to change that. I completely believe that Liverpool will be a different team next season, different in both results and playing style" - The Kop captain said.
Despite increasing pressure from home fans and rumors related to Xabi Alonso, the management of Fenway Sports Group is said to have no intention of sacking Slot. However, the Dutch coach will have to quickly prove that he can bring Liverpool back to the position of title competition.
This season, the "Reds" have fallen too far behind themselves from last season. Liverpool are currently 24 points behind in the same period last year, have lost 11 matches in the Premier League and received a total of 18 defeats in all competitions - the worst record since the 2014-2015 season.
One of Liverpool's biggest problems lies in defensive ability, especially in set pieces. The defeat to Crystal Palace in September last year was considered the first turning point for the team's decline. Liverpool conceded twice from dead balls, including the decisive goal conceded in the 90+7th minute after a long throw-in.
Since then, those weaknesses have continuously repeated. Chelsea's equalizer last weekend was Liverpool's 18th goal conceded from set pieces this season - the second worst record in the league.
As a result, goalkeeper Aaron Briggs was sacked in December last year, and Slot was forced to directly intervene more in the team's defense system.
Not only is the defense declining, the "Reds" are also criticized for their lack of vitality and creativity. In the draw with Chelsea, the Anfield home team only created a projected goal score (xG) of 0.56 - their lowest at home in many years.
This is completely opposite to the energetic and fast football under Jurgen Klopp. Compared to his predecessor, Slot is considered to be making Liverpool much slower and more predictable.
However, the Dutch strategist does not agree with the view that Liverpool is playing boring football. He believes the problem lies in the ability of attacking players to take advantage of opportunities.
However, statistics show that the bigger reason lies in Liverpool creating too few clear chances. The team is currently only ranked seventh in the Premier League in terms of expected goals (xG) - their lowest ranking in the past decade.
Under Slot, Liverpool is gradually losing their familiar dominance in pressing intensity, ball rotation speed and ability to create breakthroughs in attack.
If he wants to return to the championship race next season, Slot will not only need to strengthen the force, but also have to recreate the spirit and identity that once helped Liverpool become one of the most fearsome teams in Europe under Klopp.
