Liverpool Face Harsh Classes in Arne Slot’s Second SeasonIstanbul setback highlights deeper issues
Liverpool’s Champions League defeat to Galatasaray was extra than simply one other dangerous night time in Europe. Fireworks exterior the crew resort had been disruptive, however the greater noise got here contained in the stadium the place Arne Slot’s aspect slipped to a second straight loss. The Premier League champions stay prime of the home desk, but their frailties have gotten more durable to disregard.
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Slot, who guided Liverpool to the title in his first season after succeeding Jurgen Klopp, now faces the kind of turbulence each new period encounters. A summer season spend of almost £450m introduced glamour signings, but in addition questions of stability.
Star recruits battle for affect
Alexander Isak’s British document £125m transfer from Newcastle United has been adopted by a battle for health, whereas Florian Wirtz, signed from Bayer Leverkusen for £116m, remains to be discovering his rhythm. In Istanbul he was peripheral once more, chopping a annoyed determine regardless of flashes of high quality.
Tactical missteps and misplaced management
Arne Slot is admired for his readability of strategy, however his selections in Istanbul faltered. Mohamed Salah was left on the bench till the 61st minute, a transfer that backfired as Galatasaray had already seized management. The reshuffle that noticed Dominik Szoboszlai pressured into defence additionally ended badly, with the midfielder conceding the penalty that Victor Osimhen transformed.
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Slot admitted afterwards: “We’re not to this point off the extent proven final season. That is typically what the schedule can carry, Galatasaray is just not a easy sport. We now play Chelsea away, a troublesome sport.”
Indicators of a delayed transition
Final 12 months Liverpool seemed assured and composed. This season they’ve conceded leads, relied on late targets, and managed solely two clear sheets in ten matches in contrast with six on the similar stage a 12 months in the past. The aura of management has slipped, even when Slot urges endurance.
Daniel Sturridge summed it up: “Whenever you take a look at the way in which they’re taking part in proper now they’re not the identical crew as final 12 months. You possibly can see the chemistry is just not proper at this current second, however they’ve loads of time to get it proper. It’s not panic stations.”
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For Liverpool, the journey below Arne Slot is way from derailed, however Istanbul might but be remembered as the purpose the place the simple narrative of seamless success gave approach to the more durable work of transition.