Liverpool kept their 100% Champions League record intact with a 1-0 win at Girona on Tuesday. Despite the victory, Arne Slot was distinctly underwhelmed by the performance.
The Reds boss was not enamoured by the time and space given to the opposition and how dysfunctional Liverpool’s press proved to be. Given the match in Spain followed a sub-standard first 45 minutes at Newcastle a week ago, are we witnessing the formation of some worrying fault lines leaving the team exposed defensively?
Slot will highlight these shortcomings to the squad and make it clear that, if the deficiencies are not addressed, there will be a price to pay.
However, it is worth noting that after six wins in Europe so far and a top-eight finish all-but guaranteed, there are still plenty of reasons to accentuate the positives.
Finding a way to win when your footballing standards dip is still an admirable quality, and Liverpool have it in abundance.
It is a squad full of richly talented players with the desire and dedication to keep making things happen. Slot will want to make sure those qualities are visible in the midst of a hectic fixture schedule that continues with Saturday’s against Fulham at Anfield.
Marco Silva has done an excellent job at Craven Cottage. Not only getting them back into the Premier League, but by also putting together a team that has progressed year on year and have the capability to provide a stern test for the top teams.
The introduction of Emile Smith Rowe has brought more invention to their attack and Alex Iwobi is in the most productive form of his Fulham career so far.
Liverpool go into the match with a four-point lead at the top of the table, and a game in hand over nearest challengers Chelsea.
They also have goalkeeper Alisson back after an extended injury absence. Caoimhin Kelleher proved to be a superb deputy but the Reds number one keeper once again proved his value against Girona with a series of formidable saves.
Slot rates him as the best goalkeeper in the world and, after an incredible start to his Liverpool managerial career, he is clearly a man worth listening to.
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