Liverpool reporter identifies Arne Slot decision that ‘just didn’t work’ vs Crystal Palace
Liverpool were beaten by Crystal Palace, ending their perfect start to the campaign.
Liverpool were reliant on Alisson to keep them in the contest, as shown by the Sofascore graphic below, but ultimately, a late Eddie Nketiah strike would see the hosts take all three points.
The equaliser proved controversial as Mohamed Salah potentially handballed before Liverpool levelled, but VAR ruled there was not enough evidence.
However, it did not matter, as Arne Slot‘s side lost their 100 per cent record and handed Arsenal a way back in, in terms of the title race.
Arne Slot decision does not pay off in Liverpool vs Crystal Palace
Liverpool were compared to a League One side, by talkSPORT host Jamie O’Hara after their display at Selhurst Park.
Reds reporter David Lynch believes that Slot got one key aspect of his strategy wrong for the clash with Oliver Glasner’s side.
Speaking on his personal YouTube channel on 27 September, he said: “I do have to say actually, the fact we saw that improvement in the second half is something I want to talk about.
“You have got to credit the manager, with that, he changed things and it worked out and Liverpool were much more dominant in the game.
“Equally, I think the first half was his partially fault as well, I do not think the formation he started the game with worked at all, that 4-2-2-2, the box midfield, with the two up front, I really do think he got it wrong in that regard.
“Maybe also, he kind of thought, look, these are 17 unbeaten, if we go into this having not made a change, they will be well prepared for us, they are at home, they know exactly what they’re doing in their own formation, so, he maybe wanted to put a spanner in the works.
“It just didn’t work at all to be honest.”
Liverpool need to bounce back from Crystal Palace disappointment
The Reds need to move on quickly, as they face Galatasaray in midweek Champions League action before travelling to Chelsea next weekend.
There are signs that they are vulnerable, especially defensively, but there are also positives that they can take.
- Liverpool faced 16 shots against Palace
- Alisson made five saves in the contest, in an inspired performance from the Brazil star
- The Reds had 20 shots, with just four on target
They are still top of the league, with 15 points out of a possible 18, after a tough fixture list to start the campaign.
Another thing that Slot can point to, is that new signings have not gelled yet, with Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz not exactly lighting it up at the moment.
The full-back duo of Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez have also started slowly, and they will surely get better as the campaign progresses, with the likes of Conor Bradley and Andy Robertson waiting in the wings.
It could be scary for their rivals, when Slot gets his team going properly, but right now, they are not at full gear and it could cost them.
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