Liverpool have stopped the defeat streak, they are unbeaten in the last 9 matches in the Premier League but their convincing performances are not many.
The Kop have lost 9 in a 12-match thrashing streak at the beginning of the season and Arne Slot was forced to change. The Dutch coach has adjusted his tactics, requiring more certainty in the midfield area. That is a safe approach to the match, Liverpool is more difficult to lose but also more difficult to win. If so, it usually comes from moments, instead of playing an overwhelming game from beginning to end.
The first half of the match against Fulham, after a 0-0 draw with Leeds United, is the latest example showing that Slot's team is very slow in controlling the ball and lacks explosion and creativity.
The matches have become less dramatic. Liverpool are limiting their opponent to have fewer chances, but their non-penalty xG index is also trending down. The team is lacking an attacking identity. Arne Slot admitted that he wants Liverpool to play more creatively and does not feel that the ability to create opportunities has decreased.
I want to create 5 times more chances than now and limit conceding goals almost absolutely. There are times when Liverpool plays more liberally but concedes more goals, the problem is there.
Currently, we have not conceded many goals but also have not scored many goals. I really want to play with 8 strikers if that is defensively feasible. However, if those 8 strikers do not defend well enough, it is very difficult to win a match. Unfortunately, Liverpool does not have 8 strikers, so that is impossible".
Liverpool has 3 players in the Top 15 in terms of the number of chances created from open balls, Florian Wirtz (30), Mohamed Salah (28) and Cody Gakpo (23), more than any other team. 10 of the players in the Top 15 list have played more minutes than Liverpool players.
Statistics show that Liverpool has a slight decrease in the number of goals expected from opening plays, the number of goals expected per shot, the total number of shots from opening plays and the number of clear chances. However, the number of touches in the penalty area and the number of passes into the penalty area are relatively the same, while the number of passes into the last 1/3 of Liverpool's field has increased and they are averaging more goals per game.
The recent series of matches is considered easier for Liverpool as the opponents are not too strong, but in reality it is not necessarily so. The Kop are limited by existing human resources, which is affecting efficiency. It also shows that Liverpool has not attacked well for most of the time since the beginning of the season, even when playing with a solid playing style.
The match at Craven Cottage lacks real speed or players who are capable of winning one-on-one head-to-head situations. The "Reds" midfield is often too cautious in passes, lacks state transition or explosion, thereby easily being controlled by the opponent.
In the squad to play against Fulham, Cody Gakpo was the only striker and as Arne Slot's habit in the past month, he chose more midfielders and fewer strikers.
Liverpool continuously faces deep defenses this season, partly due to the opponent's approach but also due to the trend of constantly letting the opponent score first. Their playing style is quite predictable and lacks attacking tactics.
The current personnel issue is an obstacle. Slot's less risky approach makes the matches more tense. The Dutch coach places his expectations on the quality of the team's personnel to hope for moments of brilliance in front of the goal. That becomes difficult when there are no starting striker options.
Alexander Isak is on long-term leave due to injury and Mohamed Salah is participating in AFCON, making Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo 2 strikers Arne Slot considers capable of starting. The fact that he rarely uses Federico Chiesa and Rio Ngumoha has confirmed that.
If Arne Slot's team plays brightly and overwhelms other teams at home, a cautious playing style away from home will be more easily accepted. The problem is that teams when visiting Anfield do not need their goalkeepers to have excellent matches to win 1 point. What disappoints fans is that there is no difference in intensity, intention or approach even though the team plays at home. Conceding 3 goals against Nottingham Forest and 4 goals against PSV in 2 consecutive home matches has explained that.
Liverpool cannot continue to play like this for the rest of the season. At some point, Arne Slot must loosen the system with the aim of helping the team regain the balance that helped them become a formidable attacking machine like last season.
