Liverpool lost 4-1 to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield, their ninth defeat in just 12 competitive matches.
Here, Sky Sports’ Adam Bate assesses the key issues currently holding back Arne Slott’s side.
Concerned about Van Dijk’s health
Virgil van Dijk concedes penalty early in Liverpool’s heavy defeat
Virgil van Dijk was determined to stand strong against Wayne Rooney’s criticism after the clean sheet win over Real Madrid, but three consecutive defeats have put his form firmly in the spotlight and he will once again be held accountable.
The difficult thing about Van Dijk is that he is a natural leader. He accepts the responsibility and is comfortable directing his teammates on the pitch, offering words of encouragement or the odd scolding. When his own form breaks down, everything looks different.
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Michael Dawson and the Football Task Force react to Virgil van Dijk’s penalty awarded in the opening minutes of Liverpool’s Champions League match against PSV
The penalty handout came after he was busy complaining to the referee about the decision on the corner kick. The complaints continued even after the spot kick was awarded. He was immediately booked for a charge and the tackle arrived too late.
Much attention has been focused on Mohamed Salah’s decline, but the reality is that both of Liverpool’s bankers, who have long been the team’s totems, are far below their best. The challenge for Van Dijk is to deal with the team’s and his own issues.
Konate is still struggling
Van Dijk and fellow centre-back Ibrahima Konate have provided little help to his defensive partner. A failure to react to a simple ball to a forward put PSV on the back foot in the build-up to the third goal, just the latest costly mistake by a struggling player.
Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate reacts after PSV’s third goal
If Liverpool had been able to sign Marc Guehi in the summer transfer window, Konate would have already left the team. While Giovanni Leoni is out for the season, Slott appears to have little faith in Joe Gomez. But this issue needs to be sorted out.
Konate’s slump is not temporary. It eats away at them on a regular basis. Is it because you’re confident or just too casual? Whatever the problem is, it’s difficult to fix because Slott can’t rely on players who should be in their prime and has little time between games.
Concerns about Mr. Kerkes grow
The left-back had a poor start to his career at Liverpool and was replaced by Andrew Robertson before the international break. The Scotland international’s commitment to his country brought new opportunities, but Kerkes was unable to seize them.
He was troubled from the start by Sergino Dest and Guus Till. Perhaps most worryingly, he was seen admonishing Van Dijk shortly before PSV’s second goal. His own teammates turned around in horror to see him hit.
The continued support of the Anfield crowd will be essential if the former Bournemouth man is to thrive in Liverpool red, but the real concern is that Kerkes still has a lot of work to do to convince his colleagues that he is fit to succeed at this football club.
Salah is responsible for defense
You’ll feel more sorry for Curtis Jones in the other full-back position, even if he gave away an inexplicable ball inside his own area in the second half. With Conor Bradley and Jeremy Frimpong sidelined, Slott will manage at right-back.
Mohamed Salah has scored just two goals for Liverpool since September 17th
However, whoever plays at right-back will be targeted and isolated while Salah is playing in front of him. Wingers performed little defensive work, but when they supplied the ball in front of goal it was considered a stylistic success.
Now his output is down, which is an opportunity for all opponents. PSV’s second goal was scored by Mauro Junior with ease past Salah, setting up a move that saw the Dutch side regain the lead and turn the game around.
Isaac hasn’t reached his speed yet.
Alexander Isak came off the bench with 30 minutes remaining, but could not change the course of the match. A costly signing from Newcastle, he made 10 appearances for Liverpool, scoring his only goal in the Carabao Cup against Southampton.
Isak had one snap from an angle, but lacked sharpness and I still can’t trust him to provide the kind of pressing that Slott wants from his strikers. The Liverpool manager highlighted the problem after Hugo Ekitike suffered back spasms.
Alexander Isak has found the back of the net just once since joining Liverpool from Newcastle
Commenting on the second-half slump, Slott said: “It had a little bit to do with Hugo Ekitike, who felt his back right after half-time. That’s why the press wasn’t aggressive enough. Even if the press isn’t aggressive enough, they have players who can outplay you.”
Isak is still waiting for the big moment in front of goal that will ignite his Liverpool career. But the reason Ekitike has become such a fan favorite so quickly is not just because he finds the net, but because of the energy he brings. For now, that’s still missing from Isaac’s game.
