Liverpool Finally Lose, But Is It Good For Them?

    Liverpool have got off to, what, if one only looked at the table, could describe as a flying start; however, upon watching the games, it starts to become clear that this is not what is expected from Liverpool, especially not after signing marquee players in Wirtz, Isak and Ekitike.

    After winning all their games this season, the Reds travelled to Crystal Palace, in the hopes of continuing that form; however, it didn’t go as Arne Slot would have wanted. Liverpool went 1-0 down within ten minutes, Ismaïla Sarr tapping it in after a messy Liverpool clearance from a corner. Federico Chiesa looked like he had saved a point by scoring in the 88th minute, but it was former Gunner Eddie Nketiah who scored after the Reds failed to deal with another set piece, wheeling away in celebration after the ball bounced to him from a long throw-in in the 98th minute. Some could say Liverpool got Liverpooled.

    Whilst the result is not what Liverpool fans wanted, it is what Liverpool likely needed. Before I get into that, Crystal Palace are a force to be reckoned with this season, and I feel like they will be like Nottingham Forest last season, the minnows who unexpectedly turn up in the top 8. 

    Liverpool have been quite lucky in recent fixtures; it is fair to say they have not deserved to get maximum points from all their games, with multiple goals coming after the 85th minute. It is not what you expect from Champions, and whilst one can argue that it is an unsettled team, signing players of such calibre means that the process of settling in should already be done. Milos Kerkez looks nothing like he did at Bournemouth. We are not seeing any of the overlapping runs of last season, like Slot has told him to play too defensively, stifling his best attributes. A lack of maturity as well, to kick the ball out for a throw-in rather than clear it forward so the referee could blow his whistle.

    The real question should be in the midfield. It seems once Slot thinks someone can’t play 90 minutes, he doesn’t change his ideas. Mac Allister seemed to be growing into the game just before he came off, with him playing a nice ball in behind for Isak, who did well to get a shot off. Another question is, whilst everyone knows Gravenberch is good, are Liverpool missing the Fabinho-type player? Someone who can break up play in front of his defence. Liverpool is playing with two converted 8’s, or even 10’s. Is it a case of using Wataru Endo to just get around the pitch and break up play? 

    Finally, Florian Wirtz, I have defended him, saying he is settling in, and maybe he is, but he had a chance yesterday to make it 1-1 and fluffed his lines and hit it straight at the keeper. He seems to take that extra half a second that he just doesn't have. I have no doubt he will come good, but for now, I think Liverpool should keep the midfield like last season.

    That does raise questions about Dominik Szoboszlai, however. Liverpool had three players play right-back against Palace, and two of them are right-backs, and they looked poor. Dominik Szoboszlai was the best right-back on the pitch, and so Liverpool needs to sort it out to see how it goes. 

    Federico Chiesa is another player who needs to be looked at. Whenever Arne Slot talks about him, he seems almost reluctant to praise him, but he was quite clearly one of the better Liverpool players yesterday and midweek. All the fans know how much intensity he brings, and all the fans know that he should soon be starting over Gakpo, but he needs to be involved. I think Salah is too untouchable. Klopp didn't do it often, but he was able to bring Mo off and even bench him when necessary, which I think Slot is struggling to do. We all know what Salah can do, but he really needs to kick into gear.

    So, will this loss to Crystal Palace kick Liverpool into a higher gear? Only time will tell.