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There are several factors contributing to Liverpool's somewhat shaky start to the season, in terms of performance level.
The main issue is the challenge of integrating numerous new players into a team that relied heavily on consistent selection during Liverpool's Premier League title-winning campaign last term.
However, the absence of one of the most successful partnerships not only within the Reds but across the entire top flight is also impacting Arne Slot's revamped squad. Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister established such a formidable partnership at the heart of Liverpool's midfield throughout the 2024-25 season that both were nominated for individual awards.
Mac Allister was shortlisted for the PFA Player of the Year award, which was ultimately won by Mohamed Salah, while Gravenberch was crowned Premier League Young Player of the Year.
Yet, Tuesday's Champions League defeat at Galatasaray epitomised the struggles the pair have faced over the past six months.
Both played in Istanbul, but by the time Mac Allister was introduced from the bench, Gravenberch had already been substituted after 62 minutes - the earliest he has been taken off since the 2-2 draw with Everton in February.
Gravenberch missed the first two matches of the season, having been granted special leave for the Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace and being suspended for the Premier League opener at home against Bournemouth.
The real issue, however, has been Mac Allister. The Argentina international's performance has been hampered by an injury that plagued him during the second half of last season, which has been managed through rest and recuperation rather than surgery.
This stop-start pattern in his playing time has negatively impacted his game, as evidenced by his poor performance during his brief appearance in Turkey and his subpar performance when he started at Crystal Palace four days prior.
Gravenberch and Mac Allister have only played together sporadically recently. Since Liverpool clinched the championship by defeating Tottenham at the end of April, the pair have only started four games together.
The duo has spent a meagre 264 minutes on the pitch at the same time, not even equivalent to three full matches. Last season, before the title was secured, they failed to start only four out of 34 league games together.
This could also be a reason why Florian Wirtz hasn't been able to fully express himself in the No. 10 role due to the constant rotation behind him, with Liverpool only once sticking to the same defensive midfield partnership in consecutive games where the Germany international has featured.
With Mac Allister struggling for form and both Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones pushing hard for a starting position in midfield at Stamford Bridge, there's no guarantee based on current form that last season's established pairing will reunite in the engine room on Saturday.
Slot, however, is aware that the sooner he can seriously contemplate this option, the better his position will be. The duo's absence is being felt.
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