After yet another poor result against a relegation side, Arne Slot will be coming under fire at Liverpool.
It’s a record-setting fifth Premier League fixture in which Liverpool have conceded in injury-time.
That’s a historic achievement in all the wrong ways and part of the blame obviously falls on the manager.
But when I look back at the game, I can’t help but feel like much of the frustration is being misdirected. Slot can’t coach the real issue out of these Liverpool players.
Whose performance concerned you the most against Wolves?
Some utterly abject displays
Mohamed Salah during Wolves vs Liverpool
Photo by Ben Roberts – Danehouse/Getty Images
Liverpool players’ mentality more of an issue than Slot’s game management
At the end of the day, a team’s success — or lack thereof — is largely put down to the manager.
Against Wolves, though, I thought Slot set the team up well defensively. On the other side of the ball, Liverpool were woeful, but it’s no surprise given the struggles of Mo Salah and Cody Gakpo on the wings and the absence of Florian Wirtz.
Liverpool gave up one good chance in 90 minutes, which was converted beautifully by Rodrigo Gomes. Virgil van Dijk should shoulder the blame for allowing Tolu Arokodare to bully him off the ball in the buildup.
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Liverpool - Premier League
Photo by Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty Images
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The second goal, then, wasn’t really much of a chance. Andre’s deflected effort broke Liverpool hearts in the dying moments.
All that to say, I am more disappointed with how the players failed to rise to the occasion with any sort of intensity. You could say that’s Slot’s responsibility, but there were no such mentality issues during last season’s title charge.
What is the cause of Liverpool’s historically bad late-game management? 👀
Is it complacency, lack of focus, or are they just rattled beyond repair?
Wolves’ injury-time winner is the fifth against Liverpool this season — the most in PL history 😬
Virgil van Dijk losing with Liverpool
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
The Liverpool boss deserves much of the scrutiny being thrown his way this season. He is not, however, the only one at fault and against Wolves, especially not. Salah, Van Dijk, Gakpo, Ryan Gravenberch — these were some of the most in-form players in England mere months ago.
The late goals, the lack of inspiration in possession, and the loss of any sort of fear factor for Liverpool are problems with more than one cause. Putting everything on the manager lets these struggling stars off the hook.
Plenty for both Slot and his players to work on as Liverpool seek a turnaround against Wolves on Friday.
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