Key Highlights
- Liverpool’s habit of scoring late goals has turned on its head as they now concede winning goals in the final minutes.
- The Dutch manager Arne Slot faced a balancing act between appeasing fans, ensuring his players stay fit, and maintaining defensive solidity.
- Injury crises and lack of depth have exacerbated Liverpool’s struggles, with Alisson making a critical mistake that led to conceding an injury-time goal against Man City.
The Late-Goal Dilemma: From Scorer to Conceder
It was early in the season when Liverpool supporters noticed something amiss. Arne Slot, brought in with a promise of fitness and tactical acumen, had inadvertently shifted the club’s narrative from one of scoring late goals to conceding them in the final moments.
A New Era for Liverpool
Five months ago, it looked like Liverpool were on track to retain their Premier League crown. A series of late goals, including a 92nd-minute winner by Erling Haaland against Anfield, had placed them at the top of the league with an unbeaten record. The training ground walls were adorned with images celebrating these dramatic victories, inspiring players as they aimed for a repeat performance.
However, the tide turned swiftly.
Liverpool’s three consecutive away matches saw them concede winning goals in the 84th minute or later against Crystal Palace, Chelsea, and Manchester United. This pattern of conceding late has become a defining feature of their season, making for a stark contrast to the early days.
Slot’s Tactical Dilemma
The Dutch manager Arne Slot faced a complex balancing act. His approach aimed to keep his players fit and maintain tactical discipline, but it came with trade-offs. The reduced intensity in training sessions led to physical struggles during matches, especially towards the latter parts when fatigue set in.
Key players like Virgil van Dijk have openly acknowledged this issue, describing Liverpool’s recent performances as “sloppy.”
Slot’s defensive strategy has been more cautious and solid than Jurgen Klopp’s previous high-intensity approach, reducing the team’s ability to score early goals. This shift has left Liverpool vulnerable to late counter-attacks by opponents who have taken full advantage of their pragmatic low blocks.
Injury Crisis and Lack of Depth
The injury crisis has further compounded Liverpool’s problems. The lack of depth on the bench means that substitutes like Rayan Cherki can influence games, while Curtis Jones’ substitution in the 85th minute against Man City was insufficient to turn the tide.
Alisson’s mistake in conceding an injury-time goal against Manchester City highlighted the team’s current form. The goalkeeper fouled Matheus Nunes, leading to a penalty that ultimately sealed Liverpool’s fate.
This incident has added to the growing concern among fans and analysts alike, as they watch their once dominant side struggle to see out matches.
The reality is that Szoboszlai’s stunning free-kick on Sunday should have been another image on those training ground walls, but it ended up being meaningless in a game where Liverpool failed to maintain control. In the here and now, Liverpool are making the wrong kind of history, as they find themselves conceding late goals more than any other team in Premier League history.
