@BenBocsak I don't like Slot, but he can't help it that Wirtz needs months to acclimatize, and that Ekitike is not only bothered by the ball, but also by his own limbs. Sometimes he drives the ball with his knees...
Here’s why I think Liverpool’s pressing drop off is all on Arne Slot and not on individuals.
Last season Florian Wirtz ranked among the top 10 Bundesliga players for pressing duels.
Hugo Ekitike ranked among the top 25.
This season, they are both outside the top 50 Premier League players for the same metric.
Moving to a different league, you’re definitely expecting a bit of a drop off.
Szoboszlai in his first season in the PL finished among the top 25 players after ranking in the top 5 in the Bundesliga (although his role change impacted this because he played somewhat deeper in his first season at Liverpool).
But you don’t expect such a drastic decline in these numbers.
Ultimately, pressing was both Wirtz and Ekitike’s strengths in the Bundesliga - and now it’s turned into a weakness.
For me the blame lies with Slot’s system, maybe even on the lack of intensity in training that has been speculated about, if that’s true (I have no idea I’m not there) it’s obviously going to have a massive impact on intensity and fitness.
Just from the sudden drop off in numbers from both Ekitike and Wirtz, it makes me think Slot is responsible rather than the other way around.
@LiverpoolZNE Why does he have to? Yes, he scored a few goals, but the ball literally gets in his way... sometimes I even think his own legs are in his way...
🚨🔴 Robbie Fowler argued that managers should always field their strongest 11 to build momentum and urged that Hugo Ekitike should start regardless of fatigue concerns 😳:
“You've always got to play your strongest team. I get that you've got to look after the players because you've got big games but the big game is the next one.
I don't know whether Ekitike is complaining of tiredness or a bit vulnerable in terms of he can't play that many games per week but for me, you've got to play him.”
@AnfieldIndex Over rated. He is a runner not a passer, same as Grav. As an 8 not winning many duels especially to play there consistently and lacks positional discipline. Likes to roam all over the pitch
🇭🇺 Dominik Szoboszlai created the most chances (4) and completed the most passes (75) on the pitch today.
Not his best game but still by far the best Liverpool player once again.
Marco Rossi (Hungary NT coach):
"Szoboszlai always had one single dream in his life: to play for Real Madrid.
I've known him since he was a little boy who just started playing, and his dream was always Real Madrid." @marca
Even after his outstanding goal, playing Szoboszlai at right-back is a fucking crime. No matter how well he fills in, we're wasting our best attacking midfielder by keeping him out of his best position in midfield!
His absence from attacks in midfield and counterattacks in the final third is costing us. Jones and others can cover defense. Stop sacrificing our most creative player just to patch a problem position.
This is another reason why I just don’t want Slot at the club, his tactics are poor and very strange at times. Szoboszlai would never have gotten that red card if he was played in his proper position.
#LFC 🔴