Arne Slot paid the price on Saturday for the international break, as his perfect start was ruined by Nottingham Forest.
Seven of his starting XI played the full 90 minutes just days before for their countries, and looked tired and out of ideas in front of a stale and uninspiring Anfield crowd.
Trent Alexander-Arnold mesmerised for England, but his final ball for Liverpool was poor. Diogo Jota scored a brace for Portugal but was anonymous. Alexis Mac Allister looked like a player who’d been fighting an injury in South America. In fact, only Ryan Gravenberch maintained his level from the first three matches. But it shouldn’t be the Dutchman’s job to carry a Liverpool side he’s only just won a place in.
Liverpool were poor, but I’ll argue the crowd was worse. Droves left before full-time, with the Reds chasing a one-goal deficit. That’s the kind of thing that would’ve seen Slot’s predecessor Jurgen Klopp fume. Slot, a more composed, less emotional figure, didn’t mention it.
But the constant groaning every time Liverpool gave the ball away, from minute one, didn’t help. Slot’s patient, methodical approach is great and calming when you’re winning. It’s utterly frustrating to watch when you’re losing and desperate for the Reds to chase the game. Perhaps we’ve become so used to intensity it will take some time to adjust.
There have never been more hospitality tickets at Anfield, though. You can even buy candy-floss inside the stadium now. Is this why Liverpool lost? No. But Anfield has always been one of Liverpool’s strengths and the team needs its benefit under Slot, too, and not just in the big games.
Find more from Jordan Chamberlain at Empire of the Kop
