Manchester Metropolis Humble Liverpool as Premier League Worries Mount for Arne Slot
Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat at Manchester Metropolis wasn’t only a loss. It was a actuality verify. On The Gags Tandon Present from Anfield Index, Gags Tandon and Jack McIndoe dissected the efficiency with brutal honesty. “That’s humiliating,” Gags stated early on. “All the things went in opposition to us within the first half that might have.”
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From disallowed objectives to defensive calamities, Liverpool’s outing lacked construction, spark and, above all, perception. “We had been the second greatest the entire time within the recreation,” admitted Jack. “Simply ugly soccer to observe from Liverpool as we speak, mate.”
The uncooked emotion spilled from each nook of the podcast. And rightly so. Liverpool have now misplaced 5 Premier League matches, together with 4 away on the bounce. A stark distinction from the facet that lifted the title solely months in the past below Arne Slot.
Disallowed Objectives and Defensive Errors
A lot of the frustration centred on a chalked-off aim that might’ve swung momentum. Van Dijk’s header from a Salah nook appeared to place Liverpool stage earlier than VAR intervened. “That’s a aim,” stated Gags. “Micah stated it at half-time. He’s not interfering with the play. If that goes in, the workforce settles and really performs somewhat.”
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As a substitute, Liverpool crumbled. Metropolis capitalised with a deflected second aim simply earlier than half-time. “It kills you, actually,” stated Jack. “Confidence simply earlier than the stroke of half-time. It’s gone.”
Defensively, Liverpool had been disorganised. The swap that noticed Van Dijk working at left-back led to confusion and immediately contributed to Metropolis’s opener. “It was Wirtz who didn’t go shut sufficient to Matheus Nunes,” Gags defined. “However he was anticipating Robbo to drag out to him. Miscommunication once more.”
And Ibrahima Konaté? He got here below heavy fireplace. “That is an all-timer bullshit run from Ibu,” Gags snapped. “Simply not good in any respect. Unhealthy at passing, can’t clear the ball.”
Photograph: IMAGO
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Attacking Bluntness and Tactical Considerations
Past the again line, Liverpool had been toothless up high. One shot heading in the right direction summed up their attacking woes. “That’s abysmal, actually,” stated Jack. “Even the ultimate third as we speak… simply actually missing any actual guile.”
Gags known as out Hugo Ekitike by title. “Actually poor,” he stated. “No touches, not concerned, not even attempting to get entangled.”
The teaching choices didn’t escape scrutiny both. Substitutions had been labelled too little, too late. “Cheisa approaching with ten minutes left, what’s he meant to do? Rating a hat-trick?” Jack scoffed.
Gags was bewildered by Slot’s reluctance to shuffle the system. “You carry Gakpo on, depart Wirtz the place he’s, play Gakpo up high. Do one thing completely different.”
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Metropolis’s extensive risk, significantly from Doku, uncovered Liverpool brutally. “Doku was a nightmare all recreation,” Gags stated. “He goes and scores a worldie. He shuts us up with that one.”
Slot Beneath Strain and Switch Wants
With Liverpool sitting eight factors behind Arsenal, and Manchester United leapfrogging them on aim distinction, Arne Slot’s challenge is at a crossroads.
“There’s an extended solution to go,” warned Jack. “However this season’s already getting away from us.”
Each Gags and Jack had been clear: reinforcements are important. “I believe we want a six, a CB,” Gags declared. “In all probability a right-back as effectively.”
Jack backed that view. “Konaté’s efficiency, lack of clear development from the again… it’s alarming. I needed to see a left-sided centre-half are available that’s snug on the ball.”
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Bradley earned uncommon reward. “He had an actual tough recreation as a result of he had Doku on him,” Gags stated. “However he actually tried his greatest.”
Nonetheless, that doesn’t masks the broader structural points. “There’s clearly an identification of play there,” Jack noticed. “However on the minute, we’re simply being bypassed. So disjointed.”
Photograph: IMAGO
The place Subsequent for Liverpool?
The worldwide break presents a short pause. However Slot should act. “If he goes on this steady shedding run nonetheless, there’s no stopping the pitchforks,” stated Gags. “Champions League soccer – you’ll be able to’t be lacking out on that cash.”
Liverpool’s upcoming fixtures embody Forest, West Ham, Sunderland, Leeds and Spurs. On paper, all winnable. However type suggests in any other case.
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“We’ve misplaced each single away recreation after that Burnley win,” Gags reminded. “All Ls. All Reds.”
Requested if final season’s workforce may retain the title, the reply was telling. “No,” stated Gags. “As a result of the shedding run began with that workforce final season.”
This isn’t only a type dip. It’s a sample. Liverpool have conceded seventeen league objectives. “We have to cease conceding set-piece objectives,” stated Jack. “It’s killing us.”
If there’s any hope left, it lies within the Champions League. “Let’s make it a Champions League season if we will,” Gags urged. “We’re a Champions League workforce.”
However to remain one, modifications are pressing. “Proper now, Liverpool don’t actually have a Plan A,” Gags warned. “Neglect Plan B. We want not less than two plans in place.”
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Metropolis seemed each inch a title challenger. Doku dazzled, Haaland was medical and Guardiola’s system dismantled Liverpool’s.
For Slot, this was a lesson in Premier League actuality. And if he doesn’t adapt shortly, the season may slip past restore.