Football News: Key Issues Liverpool FC Need To Address

For me, there are some key issues that need to be addressed for Liverpool FC to improve and they are bigger than swapping out individual players for others. I'm going to write this in a sensible format, but it's going to be tricky as I think there's so much to cover.

1. Set up:
Whether we are in possession or not, our shape and starting points are horrific. Teams are able to play out, and through us, easily. Whether that's from the keeper out to CB and then FB, or CB straight into midfield, we are too easy to get through. There appears to be no 'trap' or 'trigger' we've worked on to help win the ball back.

2. Our 'Press':
It's gone, there isn't one. Because our starting positions are so poor, we end up going in ones or twos and usually after an opponent has received a pass. Not when the ball is travelling (as you should do), but when they've got it at their feet. Absolute basics of football - close whilst the ball is travelling and get there at the same time as the other player. Classic example yesterday for their first goal - Dom and Grav jumped out of shape with absolutely no chance of winning the ball as they both went too late.

3. Shape:
Both in possession and not, we are going against the absolute basics of anything you get taught in coaching. While in possession, make the pitch as big as you can, out of possession, do the best you can. We are too crowded and tight in the middle of the park when in possession (especially in the final third) and when we are defending, the gaps between us are huge. This is so fundamental that every coach is taught from day 1 on their very first coaching badge (and definitely with the UEFA licence before you even get into the Pro badges).

4. System:
We have full backs (albeit two of them don't seem to be trusted to start), but all 4 of them, are better bombing down the line and getting involved going forward. Yet we continually want to invert them and get more in midfield, which is already crowded. Frimpong and Kerkez had great seasons last year primarily based on getting forward - yet we buy them and try and make them into something they aren't.

In addition, we have two wide players who now seem to have been told to also invert continually- so we have absolutely no width whatsoever - making us having gone from stretching teams to them being able to throw a blanket over all our attacking intent.

5. Standards:
These seem to have dropped. We have players who look as though they are going through the motions and are not being held to a higher level. If we have players who are not putting a shift in - and are not hooked off or dropped. That sends a really bad message to the rest of the squad, that it's okay not to be at the highest level continuously.

6. Set pieces:
We seem to rotate players taking corners all the time, from game to game and sometimes in game. If we are doing that, how can each player in the lineup know their individual job, movement etc. when we keep changing the taker?

Summary:
IMO, it appears that our coaching setup is potentially taking us backwards. It could be the introduction of new players, but it's not solely down to that. I'm really concerned. This way of playing crept in last season, but we were all jubilant because we won the league. However, I'd happily argue that we are transitioning to being a worse team, not a better one.

Ultimately, the manager and coaching staff decide on formation, setup, tactics, set pieces and selection. Yes, individual players make mistakes and cost points, but the way we play is down to the management - and I think a few on here have said that we are a tough watch at the moment.

Hopefully, we can turn it around soon. Anyway, thanks for reading and hopefully everyone has a good day.

Written by NewPaisley79 October 05 2025 11:35:01