Sweden forward Isak might have to dislodge free-scoring Ekitike to become the main man at Liverpool.
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It’s only November, yet it’s already proven a season of highs and lows for Liverpool.
Narrow victories, almost all requiring late goals, meant the Reds led the Premier League standings with five wins from five and started the Champions League and Carabao Cup (since eliminated from the latter tournament) with a spring in their step. Then, everything swung in the other direction with six defeats from seven in all competitions. After swatting aside Real Madrid in a 1-0 scoreline, the dial has turned again.
Underpinning the teething pains, resulting from a much-changed squad to the English champions of 2024/25, is a sense of imbalance. The majority of coach Arne Slot’s team, aside from central defenders and the goalkeeper, thrive higher up the field. As such, the offense has carried a punch but often been disjointed—a stable of talents trying not to step on each other’s toes. Meanwhile, opponents have capitalized on the perforations at the back; in the league, Liverpool has conceded 14 goals to table-topping Arsenal’s three.
Financially emboldened, Liverpool tried to evolve by spending around €450 million (€520 million) on forward-thinking players in the summer. It’s worth remembering that Liverpool also sold well and continues to shoulder the tragic death of striker Diogo Jota, an incalculable impact that renders such conversations trivial. Nevertheless, it risks devolution if Slot doesn’t find the balance that first brought him success.
Wirtz shone against Real and has looked tidy, yet is still to score in Liverpool colors.
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The Winning Blend
Under the microscope because of poor results, Slot did when facing the splendour of Real. And in style. Record buy Alexander Isak returned to full training today, and the question is whether Liverpool’s new firepower alone will be enough instead. Indeed, there’s a feeling that Slot’s delicately strung device will one day come alive, that Isak, Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, and friends will start producing PlayStation soccer while Virgil van Dijk stewards the defense. Sunday’s test against Manchester City will reveal a lot.
Sir Alex Ferguson, who masterminded 13 Premier League trophies at Liverpool’s arch rival Manchester United, famously said, “Attack wins you games but defense wins you titles.” Unless the Anfield club repeats its latest performances against Aston Villa and Madrid, it will be hard to finish top of the tree again, especially given that much of Premier League soccer nowadays—for all its worldwide marketing around the creators and goal-getters—is about keeping tight and grinding out points to compete for the prize. The Champions League is a slightly different proposition.
To defend its crown with the input of new faces, Liverpool will probably need to buck the trend. With 2025/26 still to fully take shape, there’s time for sides to discover the right formula and get some consistency. It could come early for Liverpool, quietly grinding away to make the dream team function. However, as the club prepares for life after figures such as Van Dijk and Mohammed Salah and in the years to come, don’t be surprised if the lineup becomes a more complete article in the months and years ahead.
Following an active offseason in which Liverpool missed out on established Crystal Palace center-back Marc Guéhi, Slot clarified he is “completely happy” with the squad at the close of October. Building on a positive week with more victories would justify that faith.