Liverpool lost 1-3 to Arsenal in a Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium last Sunday. The Reds now have 51 points from 23 matches, while Arsenal have 49. However, more importantly, Manchester City now have 49 points from 22 matches, which means that they have lost a point less than the Reds have so far.
Uncovering Defensive Fragilities
Liverpool’s defence fared poorly against Arsenal, with all their defenders, including the goalkeeper, having a forgettable outing. However, it can happen to the very best in the business on a given day. Still, it looked a bit odd as it came after that exhilarating display against Chelsea.
However, it has to be kept in mind that Chelsea’s midfield allowed them to play more freely and did not take the upper hand as the Gunners did. Not to mention that the Liverpool defence had to continuously suffer the pressing of the Gunners’ forwards.
Still, what also stuck out was the absence of a good, old-fashioned destroyer in the midfield. Alexis Mac Allister played as the No. 6, but he is more of a no. 8, who excels in finding his teammates with long passes. He cannot be trusted to get in the space between two centre-backs at times to play as an auxiliary centre-back.
Somebody like Wataru Endo would have come in handy for the Reds against Arsenal’s relentless high press that kept winning the ball for them, and the speed of their forwards.
Liverpool have suffered after Fabinho’s departure, as far as shielding their defence is concerned. It might still not be a problem for them against lesser sides, but while facing high-quality attacking units like that of Arsenal and Manchester City, it might be one for them.
Liverpool’s three-man midfield was decidedly second-best to Arsenal’s, which was strengthened at times by Kai Havertz’s falling back. A proper defensive midfielder would have been useful for Liverpool in that regard.
Liverpool Lacks an Adequate Number 10 Position
Liverpool’s 4-3-3 does not allow them to use a proper No. 10. Not that they have any such player in their squad. Had they had such a player, they could have thought of switching to a 4-2-3-1 at times, with two defensive midfielders strengthening the defence.
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However, neither Curtis Jones nor Harvey Elliott has the vision or passing range to play as a No. 10. Dominic Szoboszlai’s attacking acumen could have been an asset for the Reds, but even he was absent against the Gunners.
Missing Mohamed Salah was always going to be a problem in terms of adding impetus to their attack, but it is the issue on the other side of the pitch that Klopp will have to address, too. Szoboszlai and Salah should be available soon, though.
However, the Reds should start thinking of playing a conventional destroyer behind Szoboszlai and Mac Allister against teams with high pace and good offensive quality.
It remains to be seen how Klopp’s team fare for the rest of the season in this regard, especially against bigger teams. Liverpool still has to face Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in the second leg, the results of which could prove to be decisive in deciding the winner of the title race in the German’s last season at the club.
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