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 had 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 type is a fear

Virgil van Dijk determined to sort out Wayne Rooney’s criticism from a place of energy 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 problem for Van Dijk is that he’s a pure chief. He embraces that accountability 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 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 crew for a few years – have been nicely beneath their finest. 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 associate. His failure to take care of a easy ball forwards allowed PSV to get in behind within the build-up to the third purpose, simply the most recent pricey mistake by a participant who’s struggling badly.

Had Liverpool been in a position to get the deal for Marc Guehi carried out in the summertime switch window, Konate could be out of the crew 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 subject, Slot can not depend on a participant who needs to 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 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 purpose. His personal teammates rotated 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 minimize 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 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 purpose.

Now his output has dipped, it is a chance for each opponent. For the second PSV purpose, 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 purpose 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 not but be trusted to supply the type of urgent that Slot needs 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 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 is just not aggressive sufficient, they’ve gamers who can outplay you.”

Isak continues to be ready for his huge second in entrance of purpose to ignite his Liverpool profession. However the cause why Ekitike has turn out to be a fan favorite so shortly is not only right down to him discovering the online, it’s the vitality he brings. For now, that’s nonetheless missing from Isak’s recreation.