Liverpool have not suffered four consecutive defeats since Brendan Rodgers was in charge in November 2014. That run of losses included defeats to Chelsea, Crystal Palace, a 1-0 loss to Real Madrid in European competition, and a defeat to Newcastle United—not Manchester United.
Wirtz and Isak have only played together for 211 minutes so far, for a number of reasons. The main one is Isak’s poor form; he had to go on strike to force a move away from Newcastle.
The 26-year-old striker has since played two full 90-minute games for Sweden, even though those were home World Cup Qualifier losses to Switzerland and Kosovo—but this should still bring him some benefits.
In fact, some believe Slot should now pluck up the courage to settle on a regular starting lineup. Even if this means short-term instability, it is better than long-term unease.
He has already admitted that the only way Isak can adapt to his surroundings is to get more game time—and this logic also applies to Wirtz.
The position of the club’s top scorer Ékitiké is a completely different but urgent issue, as he has been the best performer among all the new signings so far.
Over the past week, Wirtz has seen a growing list of people defending him. Jürgen Klopp called him a "once-in-a-century talent," Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann accused his Liverpool teammates of failing to take the chances Wirtz created, and his national team colleague Ilkay Gündogan added: "Anyone who can’t see Flo’s outstanding ability really doesn’t understand football."
The difficulties brought by the style change have been exacerbated by other problems, but the international break may unusually help Slot in this regard.
However, a planned day off on Thursday means the actual time for joint training will be no more than 48 hours.
Mac Allister, who had missed game rhythm due to injury, played the full 90 minutes and scored twice in Argentina’s 6-0 thrashing of Puerto Rico; Szoboszlai scored the equalizer for Hungary against Portugal;
Salah led Egypt to World Cup qualification and was rested for the second game of the international break;
Cody Gakpo contributed three goals and one assist in two games for the Netherlands; Connor Bradley put in an excellent performance for Northern Ireland against Slovakia but missed the game against Germany due to suspension.
If Mac Allister regains his form, Liverpool’s results will improve immediately; Salah, who has contributed 18 goals and assists in his last 25 goals against United, is back to his best; the right-back position is also more solid, and Szoboszlai can return to his midfield role.
Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella said manager Enzo Maresca had told his players to target Liverpool’s right flank because there is space there. Salah does not drop back to help the full-back, but instead tends to look for counter-attacking opportunities.
This season, Liverpool’s right flank has been more vulnerable to opponents than last season, and they are also more inclined to attack through the middle. Liverpool have kept only two clean sheets in their last 16 games across all competitions, and their habit of often conceding two goals per game is also a cause for concern.
