Liverpool’s form is not great by any stretch of imagination. Still, with 34 points from 20 matches, the Reds are in fourth position in the Premier League table, which is definitely not catastrophic for them.
However, the fact that their title defence is all but gone in January itself means that Liverpool’s form needs improvement. With a big game against Arsenal coming up, Arne Slot’s men will have to rethink their strategy.
Liverpool’s Form Needs Them To Strike a Good Balance Between Direct and Indirect Football
Liverpool’s form was great last season, as they thrived with their robust, direct style of football under Jurgen Klopp for close to a decade before Slot came in and made the team champions of England. It is by no means essential for a new manager to stay true to the style professed by his predecessor, and Slot did things his own way.
He brought more stability to the passing of the team and gave emphasis on lending solidity to the team’s defence. The “heavy metal football” popularised by Jurgen Klopp has given way to a more structured passing game. The change had indeed begun while Klopp was still in charge, when he made a midfield revamp by signing Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai.
They signed Florian Wirtz with a view to using the German as the Liverpool No.10 in a 4-2-3-1, but he struggled to adjust to the pace and physicality in the English game. Wirtz is now playing on the left flank, and Curtis Jones is now being used as the Liverpool No.10.
However, while they cannot be expected to bring back the best days of Klopp, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah providing rapid movement of the ball, with Jordan Henderson also delivering crosses from the right side of the pitch, what is also not advisable is that they retire to a completely passive style with very slow movement of the ball. Mac Allister, who boasts a good passing range, can move to the right flank at times to deliver crosses into the box.
It is not ironical that in each of Liverpool’s last three matches, Jeremie Frimpong has turned into a provider of goals with probing deliveries from the right flank. Frimpong’s rapid runs and delivery from the right adds a much-needed directness to the Reds’ attack.
Andy Robertson can continue to do the same down the left with his overlaps, but Milos Kerkez is not very comfortable crossing from the left. Should crosses keep coming from either flank, Liverpool will need more presence in the central areas of the final third, which they can easily get, as they are playing two central players in Wirtz and Szoboszlai as wingers, at least until Salah comes back from AFCON.
Wirtz and Szoboszlai can join Cody Gakpo in central areas to meet the crosses or to utilise second balls until Hugo Ekitike is back from an injury.
With Ekitike, Salah and Alexander Isak all missing, the Reds cannot be expected to have much class in their attack in their next few matches anyway. Therefore, it might pay to go direct more often rather than trying to outmanoeuvre the opposition defenders with astute passing all the time. Thus, Liverpool’s form can be improved.
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Liverpool Are Not Manchester City as Far as Their Passing Is Concerned
Liverpool cannot be expected to come up with a passing masterclass as Manchester City did in their recent draw with Chelsea, with Rodri to the fore. Hence, they must add their bit of explosiveness to their game with the intention of breaking the opposition defence with much quickness.
In order to improve Liverpool’s form, it is essential that they are not too indirect in their approach at all times, as a possession-based game is not their forte, unlike Manchester City.
It remains to be seen whether Liverpool bring that extra bit of direct approach to their game soon enough, starting with the match against Arsenal on January 8. Time is running out for them to salvage their season and thus improve Liverpool’s form, even if they fail to defend the title ultimately.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Sportimage
Recording Date: 04.01.2026
