2 hours ago
28
The absence of Liverpool's no.9 means that Arne Slot will have to alter the plans he has been building towards over recent months, and places greater onus on others
It’s difficult to judge exactly how serious this Liverpool side should be taken at present.
Clearly, Arne Slot’s side is someway off the all-conquering team of last season, yet it has vastly improved on the dismal run of nine defeats in 12 just a few weeks ago.
Six without defeat represents an an undoubted upturn of form, even if few are convinced Liverpool is an elite force once again. The nervy win at Tottenham Hotspur underlined both the mental fragilities and the abundant quality in Liverpool’s ranks. Despite failing to impress, the champion returned to Merseyside with all three points and has muscled its way back in the top-four race.
READ MORE: Alexander Isak's injury comments as Liverpool star set for spell on sidelinesREAD MORE: Antoine Semenyo told 'perfect' transfer option as Liverpool handed alternative Jurgen Klopp lovedClearly, Slot is slowly building something. The team is evolving, and after identifying some of the problems that dogged the Reds across October and November, he is beginning to find solutions.
That has been evident in a stronger, more compact midfield structure and a back-to-basics approach has undeniably made Liverpool more difficult to beat in recent games.
Mohamed Salah’s omission from the line-up is linked to Slot’s tactical tinkering, and it remains unclear where he fits into the long-term plans.
That has been amplified by Slot’s recent preference for a system lacking natural wingers. The Liverpool head coach has even experimented with a 4-4-2 shape, as he attempts to find a formation that best suits his summer acquisitions.
Yet, just as that begins to show signs of promise, Slot may be forced to abandon that plan.
Alexander Isak’s injury is a hammer blow for many reasons. Chief among them is that Liverpool is now left with just one natural centre-forward, and lacking a natural partner for Hugo Ekitike. Suddenly, playing with two up front seems impractical.
Confirmation came on Monday that Isak has undergone surgery to address a broken fibula and ankle injury, with no return date in mind at this stage. While there's a feeling the prognosis could have been worse, Isak is still expected to miss several months.
Thankfully, Liverpool is one of the few Premier League clubs blessed with a ready-made goal machine waiting in reserve. In fact, Ekitike is one of the few players Slot can depend on.
Regardless, Isak’s injury will invariably change Liverpool's plans for the remainder of the campaign. For many months, there's been a sense that Slot is contemplating how best to incorporate nearly £300million worth of summer signings into one team, in the form of Isak, Ekitike and Florian Wirtz.
Just a few weeks ago, the output of all three may have been questioned, but with Ekitike scoring freely and Wirtz finally producing a Premier League goal contribution, the scrutiny has lessened.
Isak’s injury sharpens the focus on others, though. Does a long-term absence change Salah’s position? Could youngster Jayden Danns suddenly play an important role? And might another injury force Liverpool into the January market?
In the meantime, as Liverpool looks to construct a coherent shape and plan, it’s obvious that Ekitike will now spearhead it. If Slot can also find a system that plays to the strengths of Wirtz and Salah, the second half of the season could prove highly successful.
Liverpool remains a work in progress, even if the route back to the top is becoming a little clearer. The recent improvements suggests Slot is beginning to stabilize a side that looked bereft of direction and belief just weeks ago, but there's a long way to go.
Isak’s injury will prove a defining moment on that journey. It may force Liverpool’s tactical rebuild, at least temporarily, down a path it might otherwise have never taken.
English (US) ·