After the comprehensive reform in the summer with nearly £ 300 million poured into the transfer, Liverpool showed a fresh and more vitality face. But they showed signs of losing stability and carefulness.
Liverpool now looks very different from the previous season. Arne Slot's team is more young, more active and potentially popped up strongly. Hugo Ekitike is clearly a valuable upgrade compared to Darwin Nunez. The French striker lit Wembley with a ball and cleverly finish.
In the back, Florian Wirtz meets Arne Slot's expectations in adding creativity to the gameplay, compensating for the departure of Alexander-Arnold. As for the wings, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez integrated very quickly with full play. If Alexander-Arnold makes a difference by passes, Frimpong surprised the opponent from rapid speed.
However, what caused Arne Slot to have a headache from Liverpool's transformation. They become more active but at the same time more vulnerable. Last season, Liverpool won the Premier League championship with the ability to control the match and end the opponent at the right time. But the summer match of 2025 no longer shows that.
Liverpool had to receive 5 goals in 2 friendly matches in Asia. Returning to Anfield, Liverpool's more perfect squad continued to receive 3 goals in 2 matches against Bilbao. This situation recurs in the Community Shield match. Liverpool's expected goal index is only 1.08 compared to 2.03 of Crystal Palace. Although Liverpool controls the ball more (59%), Crystal Palace is a more finish (14 compared to 12 of Liverpool) and creates more clear opportunities (4 compared to 2 of Liverpool).
The Liverpool midfielder did not do well the task of interception in the defeat of Crystal Palace. The absence of Ryan Gravenberch and the fact that Alexis Mac Allister is only fit in the second half, causing the line between the red shirt team to lose steel. Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai do not form a shield firmly enough before the sharp spearhead of Crystal Palace.
But the reason deeper is not a matter of human. The presence of Florian Wirtz forced Arne Slot to change the midfield structure. Last season, the trio of Ryan Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai created a balance and harmony between public and defense. And this season, the No. 10 position was assigned to Wirtz so there are only two central midfielders behind. This formula ensures Wirtz maximize the maximum attack capacity but the midfield is thinner. And there will be only two of the three names Ryan Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai appear in midfield.
It was a gamble and lost that Arne Slot was forced to play. With Wirtz and Ekitike, Liverpool looks more lifeless in the balls on the ball. But they have to trade with the ability to control the match and fight counterattack. The immediate solution for Liverpool can only buy an additional quality center -back to pair with Van Dijk.
In the long run, Arne Slot needs to refine the game to ensure certainty but still promote internal resources to attack. Falling 300 million pounds decorated with the squad also led to many complicated consequences.
