Liverpool’s season took another disappointing turn on Tuesday as they lost against Wolves at Molineux.
As they have on four previous occasions this campaign, the Reds succumbed to an injury-time winner, and must now pick themselves up ahead of a return to Wolves in the FA Cup on Friday.
After the pain of yet another body blow in the Premier League, that is not going to be easy. But former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock has been on hand to explain how his old team can pick themselves back up and make it through.
Whose performance concerned you the most against Wolves?
Some utterly abject displays
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Liverpool - Premier League
Photo by Ben Roberts – Danehouse/Getty Images
Liverpool have to up the tempo from the start
A feature of Liverpool’s games under Arne Slot has been a reluctance to put their foot to the floor during the early part of matches.
That changed during Saturday’s win over West Ham, but Wolves was a return to the cautious approach which has upset fans at times this term.
Steven Gerrard was not impressed by Liverpool’s lack of fire during the first-half on Tuesday, and Warnock echoed his former teammate’s thoughts while speaking to BBC Sport.
Federico Chiesa and Liverpool players look dejected after Wolves score in the Premier League match at Molineux
Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images
“If Liverpool want a better result on Friday, there’s going to have to be a few harsh words said in the changing room,” he said.
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“The tempo has to be upped from the off and it can’t be reactionary to what goes on and then suddenly decide to step up the gears. It has to be from the off, they’re the better team and they have the better players. But it feels so lethargic.
“If they up the tempo, they’re difficult to play against. I’m not sure about the situation of Florian Wirtz but they need him back.”
Analysis: Liverpool may have to make do without Wirtz
Liverpool clearly miss Wirtz, he has become so key to everything they do this season. But, unfortunately, early indications appear to be that he will miss Friday’s game.
Without the German once more, Slot must find the best way to inject some pace into his team’s play.
Surely he can’t be serious?
Were there any positives to take from such a turgid late defeat?
Arne Slot reacts during Liverpool's Premier League match against Wolves at Molineux (Credit: Getty Images/Catherine Ivill - AMA).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Catherine Ivill – AMA
One easy way of doing that would be to start Rio Ngumoha, who was once again lively from the bench on Tuesday.
Another would be to put the pacy Jeremie Frimpong as high up the pitch as possible and look to feed him at every opportunity early on.
There can be some positives to Liverpool playing the same opposition only days apart, and they should have no excuses for not being ready for the rematch in the FA Cup.
However, Wolves will gain plenty of confidence from their last-minute winner. If Liverpool turn up and do the same thing once again, it will likely lead to a very similar outcome, and Slot’s season will start to come apart at the seams.
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