Liverpool: Key points for Arne Slot’s Reds after struggling ninth defeat in 12 video games at arms of PSV Eindhoven | Soccer Information

Liverpool suffered a ninth defeat in simply 12 video games in all competitions, as they have been crushed 4-1 by PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.

Right here, Sky Sports activities‘ Adam Bate assesses the important thing points hampering Arne Slot’s facet at current.

Van Dijk’s kind is a fear

Virgil van Dijk determined to deal with Wayne Rooney’s criticism from a place of power after a clear sheet and victory over Actual Madrid however three consecutive three-goal defeats have put his kind firmly again within the highlight and he was culpable as soon as extra.

The problem for Van Dijk is that he’s a pure chief. He embraces that duty and feels snug directing his teammates across the pitch, providing phrases of encouragement and the odd rebuke. That every one seems completely different when his personal kind dips.

The handball for the penalty got here after he had busied himself complaining to the referee in regards to the award of a nook – complaints that continued upon the award of the spot-kick. He was booked quickly after for lunging in, his deal with arriving far too late.

A lot of the scrutiny has been on Mohamed Salah’s decline however the actuality is that each of Liverpool’s bankers – the totems of this workforce for a few years – have been effectively under their finest. The problem for Van Dijk is to cope with the facet’s struggles – and his personal.

Konate nonetheless struggling badly

Van Dijk’s fellow centre-back Ibrahima Konate is hardly serving to his defensive accomplice. His failure to cope with a easy ball forwards allowed PSV to get in behind within the build-up to the third aim, simply the most recent expensive mistake by a participant who’s struggling badly.

Had Liverpool been in a position to get the deal for Marc Guehi achieved in the summertime switch window, Konate can be out of the workforce already. Slot appears to have little religion in Joe Gomez, whereas Giovanni Leoni is out for the season. However this drawback wants sorting.

Konate’s poor kind is greater than a blip; it’s undermining them regularly. Is it confidence or simply being too informal? Regardless of the problem, Slot can’t depend on a participant who ought to be in his prime and with little time between video games, it’s powerful to appropriate.

Issues develop over Kerkez

The left-back has made a sluggish begin to his Liverpool profession, shedding his place to Andrew Robertson earlier than the worldwide break. The Scotland worldwide’s exertions for his nation introduced one other alternative however Kerkez has didn’t seize it.

He was troubled from the outset by Sergino Dest and Guus Til. Maybe most worryingly, he may very well be seen remonstrating with Van Dijk not lengthy earlier than being caught out for PSV’s second aim. His personal teammates circled in horror to see he had been crushed.

The continued assist of the Anfield crowd is crucial if the previous Bournemouth participant is to flourish in Liverpool purple however the actual concern is that Kerkez nonetheless has numerous work to do to persuade his colleagues that he’s lower out to succeed at this soccer membership.

Salah is defensive legal responsibility

There might be extra sympathy for Curtis Jones within the different full-back place even when he did give the ball away inexplicably inside his personal space within the second half. Slot is making do at right-back whereas Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong are each unavailable.

However whoever operates at right-back will discover themselves focused and remoted whereas it’s Salah taking part in in entrance of them. The winger does little or no defensive work, one thing that was seen as a stylistic success when he was delivering in entrance of aim.

Now his output has dipped, it is a chance for each opponent. For the second PSV aim, Mauro Junior was allowed to wander previous Salah with out a lot as a problem, constructing the transfer from which the Dutch facet restored their lead and turned the sport.

Isak nonetheless less than velocity

Alexander Isak got here off the bench for the ultimate half an hour however couldn’t change the circulation of the sport. The costly acquisition from Newcastle has made 10 appearances for Liverpool and his solely aim has come in opposition to Southampton within the Carabao Cup.

Isak did fireplace off one snap-shot on the angle however the sharpness is missing and he can’t but be trusted to supply the kind of urgent that Slot desires to see of his striker. The Liverpool boss highlighted that as a problem after Hugo Ekitike had a again spasm.

When discussing the second-half dip, Slot stated: “That had a bit to do with Hugo Ekitike, who straight after half-time felt his again. That’s the reason the press was not aggressive sufficient. If the press will not be aggressive sufficient, they’ve gamers who can outplay you.”

Isak continues to be ready for his huge second in entrance of aim to ignite his Liverpool profession. However the purpose why Ekitike has change into a fan favorite so rapidly isn’t just right down to him discovering the online, it’s the power he brings. For now, that’s nonetheless missing from Isak’s recreation.