Slot's Squad Management Exposed Liverpool's Fatal Flaws
Liverpool's lightweight squad and tactical shortcomings are laid bare, raising serious questions about Slot's approach to squad building.
Once again we witnessed the multitude of reasons why Slot's approach simply isn't working. The small and limited squad was exposed again, raising the question: is there another team in the Premier League that appears so lightweight, lacking players with genuine fight and that crucial bit of "mongrel"?
Aerial Weakness and Physical Shortcomings
The inability to compete aerially has become a glaring weakness. We have only two players who can head the ball with any real authority - Van Dijk and Konate, though with the latter you're never quite sure which direction it'll actually go. This makes us an easy target for any side willing to put balls into the box with conviction.
The alarm bells were ringing long before the Tottenham debacle. When a manager states he wants to fight on all four fronts in one breath, then immediately follows up by saying he prefers working with a small squad, you have to wonder about the basic logic. If we were genuinely competing across all competitions, players would be looking at 65-plus games, and most of our squad are internationals adding another 5-10 matches on top. The fatigue was inevitable.
Squad Depth and Positional Issues
The squad has well and truly hit the wall, yet Hughes, Edwards and the board seem oblivious to the obvious deficiencies. With Gomez injured again, we're crying out for centre-back and right-back cover. The midfield looks increasingly lightweight, particularly with Mac Allister's recent struggles, but we still haven't addressed the fundamental issue that Gravenberch simply isn't a defensive midfielder.
He tries his best, but like too many in this team, he's lacking that edge needed for the role. The truth is, most of our players appear too "soft" for the Premier League's physical demands.
Selection Favourites and Tactical Confusion
When managers start playing obvious favourites, it's often the beginning of the end. Gakpo is underperforming significantly yet continues to start every league game. The width we desperately need is constantly compromised by persisting with a player who drifts inside at every opportunity. Even Salah isn't immune from criticism in this regard.
For a club with FSG's focus on the bottom line, if they truly want that Champions League revenue, they need to take a long, hard look at Slot and his backroom setup. The same scrutiny should extend to Hughes and Edwards and how they're spending the club's money.
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