Liverpool’s issues in transition continue to dominate the conversation after our heavy defeat to PSV, and the most recent explanation from our manager offered a clearer picture of why we struggled so badly at Anfield.
Speaking via CBS Sports Golazo, Arne Slot pushed back on the claim that PSV were miles ahead of us in transition, insisting the first-half work was closer to what he expects.
“I liked the way we reacted in transition in the first half a lot,” the 47-year-old said. “I think almost every time we won the ball back, we could keep them in their half almost all the time.”
His tone changed when addressing the second half, where everything fell apart for us.
“There were parts of the second half that we weren’t able to, especially the start of the second half,” he admitted. “I constantly felt ‘what’s wrong with Hugo?’ It felt as if he couldn’t move as he did in the first half.”
Slot then revealed that the French forward had been carrying a problem from almost the first whistle.
“He just told me that in the first five to 10 minutes of the first half, he already felt his back too much. That’s also why he had to go out.”
Ekitike injury gives Liverpool fresh concern after PSV defeat
Hugo Ekitike receives medical attention after injury against PSV
(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
This admission adds new context to the night, particularly as Sky Sports’ live web commentary said “Ekitike has justified his inclusion too with a livewire display”, which highlights how the 23-year-old had been praised shortly before his withdrawal.
His injury now places even more pressure on Alexander Isak, who came on again but struggled to impose himself, continuing a difficult settling-in period for the Sweden international.
We also cannot ignore other issues, including the left-back performance, with Adebayo Akinfenwa publicly stating on X that “I’m sorry but Kerkez needs to do & be better. It’s really not good enough.”
Those observations feed directly into the numbers which stress how this run is the worst since 1953.
Slot’s transition comments highlight Liverpool’s wider problem
Arne Slot watches Liverpool against PSV
(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
The Dutchman’s explanation makes sense, but it also underlines how fragile our structure becomes when one part of the pressing unit falters.
If Ekitike is sidelined, and with Isak still chasing fitness, we risk losing one of the only forwards consistently stretching defences and setting the tone from the front.
With Kerkez also under scrutiny and several senior players out of form, the collective level has to rise quickly.
Slot was keen to stress we did far more right in that first half than outsiders are willing to acknowledge, but the second half remains a major concern as we prepare for West Ham.
Join our channel of readers on WhatsApp to get the day’s top stories straight to your mobile