Just a week ago, Liverpool fans had every reason to feel optimistic. Despite not always performing at their peak, the team had consistently managed to secure victories. The question lingered: could they continue this streak of winning despite suboptimal play?
Perhaps not. When games frequently extend into added time, it becomes clear that “Slottage Time” offers no inherent advantage; opponents still have the chance to deliver decisive blows. Consequently, the champions have now suffered their third consecutive defeat, each game highlighting the same persistent issues that were present even during their winning run. With nearly 20% of the season complete, Liverpool appears to be a considerably weaker version of their title-winning side.
This situation is particularly concerning given Arne Slot`s attempt to revert to a lineup as close as possible to last season`s tonight. Practically, this meant Florian Wirtz was omitted, potentially after controversy over his teammates failing to convert chances he created. Moving Dominik Szoboszlai into the number 10 role did little for Liverpool`s defensive shape off the ball, as Moises Caicedo comfortably navigated the midfield before scoring a long-range opener for Chelsea.
This goal was the best of Chelsea`s early opportunities, and crucially, Liverpool struggled to create anything significant—apart from one blocked shot for Szoboszlai—until Slot introduced Wirtz at halftime. Szoboszlai then shifted to right-back, and a cross from his overlapping run was fortuitously flicked on to Cody Gakpo by an Alexander Isak mis-touch, leveling the score.
The stage seemed set for another dramatic late goal. After all, the Reds had scored eight goals after the 80th minute in their first six games of the season. However, only one team seemed to believe a ninth was imminent. Chelsea relentlessly attacked, targeting Liverpool`s vulnerable right flank, partially defended by Szoboszlai, and later, after further substitutions, either Ryan Gravenberch or Wataru Endo. Following numerous crosses seeking a blue shirt, Estevao gambled on a back-post run as Chelsea exploited Liverpool`s right side, tapping in from close range to inflict Slot`s third consecutive loss.
This marks an unprecedented losing streak in Slot`s Liverpool tenure, and there`s concern that the difficulties might persist. For a team sitting second in the table (at least until Crystal Palace plays), deep-seated problems seem to plague them, issues that even reverting to a familiar lineup couldn`t resolve. These problems were clearly evident by the end of this game:
1. Alexander-Arnold`s Absence Felt Everywhere
It was understandable to assume that after Trent Alexander-Arnold`s widely anticipated transfer to Real Madrid, Liverpool would struggle to replace his exceptional ball progression and creative output at right-back. Alexander-Arnold is arguably one of the world`s best passers. While players like Ryan Gravenberch and Virgil van Dijk are progressing the ball with similar frequency to last season, the crucial element missing is that primary passer capable of dissecting a defense with a single precise sweep of his foot. This void was even more pronounced without Florian Wirtz, who at least offered creativity in the final third.
What was less predictable, at least before Jeremie Frimpong`s signing, was that by this point in the season, Liverpool would also fail to replace Alexander-Arnold`s defensive contributions. Though his defending was perhaps generously termed “improving” in his final years, it was still superior to what Conor Bradley offered during a challenging 45 minutes under Alejandro Garnacho`s scrutiny. Withdrawn to avoid a second yellow card he narrowly escaped, the 22-year-old was replaced defensively by Szoboszlai, who, despite approximating Alexander-Arnold`s attacking prowess with the assist for the equalizer, couldn`t stem the defensive tide down his right side.
If anything, the situation worsened. Szoboszlai was often caught flat-footed when passes were spread to his flank and became overwhelmed after Jamie Gittens` introduction. He was notably static and poorly positioned when Enzo Fernandez slid a ball past him for Marc Cucurella to set up Estevao`s goal. Historically, Liverpool knew how to shield their weak link at right-back; even Wataru Endo`s introduction to play in that area didn`t alleviate the pressure. Once more, Ibrahima Konate appeared a shadow of the defender who once adeptly covered for Alexander-Arnold.
Chelsea recognized this vulnerability. “We tried to attack that side constantly because we know Salah is always ready for a counter-attack,” Cucurella stated. “So we practiced, and the manager told us those spaces might be available.” Liverpool failed to adapt during the match, and it`s difficult to see how they can fundamentally address this broader issue.
2. Salah`s Decline
There was one effective way Liverpool previously managed the threat posed to their right-back: encourage opponents` left-backs to overlap, confident that Salah would exploit any mistake further upfield. Only a few months ago, allowing him space was a death sentence for opposing teams. Now, it might be a risk worth taking.
Since Liverpool`s Champions League exit, Salah has been far from his dominant best. Sixteen Premier League games have yielded only four goals (one a penalty) and three assists, with his shots per 90 dropping from 3.7 to 2.2. This broader decline in his performance suggests that the “Egyptian king” might have delivered his last elite season last year in pursuit of another title or a lucrative contract.
The most positive aspect of his recent performance was a few fleeting glimpses of the old Salah. An outside-of-the-boot cross demanded much from Alexander Isak, who leaned back and headed over. He anticipated Wirtz getting the ball to him early in the second half but drove his shot wide.
Slot maintained that he saw encouraging signs in the four chances Salah created and his two shots. “Did he create so much today because he didn`t play during the week [against Galatasaray, where he was a substitute], or did he miss chances due to a lack of sharpness? We put him in positions he likes many times. Today he had numerous opportunities to do what he`s done so often… It`s not like every chance he gets is always a goal; we feel that way because of his previous season, but he can have a game where he gets chances in promising positions.”
And, of course, even at his relentless peak 12 months ago, Salah didn`t score every time. But it certainly felt like he did, didn`t it? That relentless efficiency was what propelled Liverpool`s unexpected title challenge. Inevitably, the team will be a shadow of its former self if its star player is also declining.
3. Defensive Lapses from the Front
It`s interesting to note that Liverpool allows fewer passes per defensive action and a lower opponent pass completion rate this season compared to last. Perhaps this reflects their tendency not to take early leads, forcing them to expend more energy chasing the ball for longer periods. However, this doesn`t necessarily mean they are defending well.
Liverpool is averaging approximately 10% fewer recoveries in the attacking third, which is unsurprising given the departure of diligent pressers like Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez, and the unfortunate loss of Diogo Jota. These players consistently put in the hard work without the ball last season, often compensating for Salah`s more relaxed approach, as he saved his energy for crucial moments. Alexander Isak, however, seems intent on doing the same, and it was frequently astonishing how easily Benoit Badiashile could pick a pass through the lines to Joao Pedro.
Once past that initial defensive barrier, Liverpool appeared uncertain of what to do next. A quick sideways flick from Malo Gusto in midfield allowed Caicedo to run into open space. Alexis Mac Allister might be some way from full fitness, but in such circumstances, someone else should at least be scrambling to cover that space. From front to back, particularly in the first half, there was a remarkable lack of intensity in Liverpool`s play. Was this team really coached by Jurgen Klopp as recently as 18 months ago? Even in their best moments, the visitors couldn`t match Chelsea`s aggression.
Their opponents were certainly vulnerable. By the end of the game, Chelsea was missing six central defensive options, with Reece James tasked with holding the fort alongside Jorrel Hato, and starters Badiashile and Josh Acheampong withdrawn to preserve their fitness for upcoming weeks. In other words, Chelsea was ripe for disruption with a bit of offensive drive when they had the ball. Liverpool, however, never looked like providing that. For all the issues outlined above, this lack of intensity might be the most worrying for Slot.
