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

Liverpool suffered a ninth defeat in simply 12 video games in all competitions, as they have been overwhelmed 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 type is a fear

Virgil van Dijk determined to sort out 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 type firmly again within the highlight and he was culpable as soon as extra.

The issue for Van Dijk is that he’s a pure chief. He embraces that accountability and feels comfy directing his teammates across the pitch, providing phrases of encouragement and the odd rebuke. That every one seems totally different when his personal type 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 sort out 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 group for a few years – have been properly beneath their greatest. The problem for Van Dijk is to take care of 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 companion. His failure to take care of a easy ball forwards allowed PSV to get in behind within the build-up to the third objective, 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 could be out of the group 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 type 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 must be in his prime and with little time between video games, it’s powerful to right.

Issues develop over Kerkez

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

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

The continued assist of the Anfield crowd is crucial if the previous Bournemouth participant is to flourish in Liverpool pink however the true concern is that Kerkez nonetheless has quite a lot of work to do to persuade his colleagues that he’s reduce out to succeed at this soccer membership.

Salah is defensive legal responsibility

There will probably 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 enjoying 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 objective.

Now his output has dipped, it is a chance for each opponent. For the second PSV objective, 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 pace

Alexander Isak got here off the bench for the ultimate half an hour however couldn’t change the move of the sport. The costly acquisition from Newcastle has made 10 appearances for Liverpool and his solely objective has come towards 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 type of urgent that Slot desires to see of his striker. The Liverpool boss highlighted that as a difficulty after Hugo Ekitike had a again spasm.

When discussing the second-half dip, Slot mentioned: “That had a bit to do with Hugo Ekitike, who straight after half-time felt his back. That is why the press was not aggressive enough. If the press is not aggressive enough, they have players who can outplay you.”

Isak continues to be ready for his massive second in entrance of objective to ignite his Liverpool profession. However the motive why Ekitike has turn into a fan favorite so shortly isn’t just right down to him discovering the web, it’s the vitality he brings. For now, that’s nonetheless missing from Isak’s recreation.