Key Highlights
- Liverpool’s vulnerability to long passes is highlighted in their 1-1 draw with Sunderland.
- This weakness has cost Liverpool multiple games this season, particularly against teams employing direct play.
- The issue stems from an increased reliance on opponents’ long passes, which has reduced Liverpool’s pressing effectiveness and success in the final third.
- Leeds United may capitalize on this weakness when they face Liverpool on December 6th, 2025.
Liverpool’s Struggle with Long Passes: An Analysis
The recent draw between Liverpool and Sunderland at Anfield brought to light a significant issue that has plagued the team this season. Arne Slot’s side struggled to cope with Sunderland’s long passes, resulting in a 1-1 stalemate. This game was just one of many instances where Liverpool found themselves unprepared for such tactics.
Long Passes: A Persistent Problem
The issue is not new; it has been present since Arne Slot took over as manager. His team has faced four of the top five highest totals for long passes in individual games this season, according to Opta data. Sunderland played 73 such passes against Liverpool, which was the third-most by any side in a Premier League game.
However, this is not an isolated incident; it is part of a broader pattern.
Since Slot’s tenure began, Liverpool have only won one out of four games where their opponents hit more than 70 long passes per match. This statistic highlights the severity of the problem. The trend is evident in other matches too: when facing teams that play over 20% of their passes long, Liverpool’s win rate drops to just 30.8%, down significantly from last season’s 71.8%.
The Impact on Play
Robin Roefs played a pivotal role in Sunderland’s opening goal. He sent 31 out of his 53 passes long, the highest total this season for him. One of these long passes led directly to the goal, with Wilson Isidor winning the header and Virgil van Dijk failing to deal with the ball, allowing Chemsdine Talbi to score.
The approach has been effective against other teams as well.
Crystal Palace and Manchester United have both capitalized on this weakness, securing victories in their respective matches. The trend is clear: Liverpool’s pressing effectiveness has declined, while their success at the other end of the pitch remains under threat despite improvements from key defenders like Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.
Leeds United: A Potential Threat
Liverpool faces another test on December 6th, 2025, as they host Leeds United. Under head coach Daniel Farke, Leeds have adopted a new formation that allows them to play more direct, with two physically-imposing strikers in Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha. This formation has been successful for Leeds; they beat Chelsea 3-1 on Wednesday, having also nearly taken a point against Manchester City.
Farke’s side sent the highest percentage of passes long against Chelsea this season, indicating that Liverpool may face similar challenges. The upcoming match could be crucial in determining whether Leeds can exploit their new formation and potentially upset the reigning champions.
Conclusion
The ongoing struggle with long passes remains a significant issue for Liverpool under Arne Slot’s management. While there have been some positive defensive improvements, the team continues to face challenges when facing opponents who rely on direct play. The upcoming match against Leeds provides both a test and an opportunity for improvement. For Liverpool, addressing this weakness could be key to reclaiming their form in the Premier League.
