Liverpool: Arne Slot’s main problem for the Reds as they suffered their ninth defeat in 12 games at the hands of PSV Eindhoven | soccer news

Liverpool suffered their ninth defeat in 12 games in all competitions, losing 4-1 to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.

here, sky sports‘ Adam Bate assesses the key issues currently holding Arne Slot’s side back.

Van Dijk’s form is worrying

Virgil van Dijk decided to deal with Wayne Rooney’s criticism from a strong position after a clean sheet and a win over Real Madrid, but a third successive three-goal defeat brought his form back into the spotlight and he was once again culpable.

Van Dijk’s difficulty is that he is a natural leader. He embraces that responsibility and feels comfortable guiding his teammates around the field, offering words of encouragement and the odd reprimand. When he falls out of his own form, everything looks different.

The handball for a penalty kick came after he complained to the referee about a corner kick decision. Frustration continued after the spot kick was awarded. He was soon booked for lunging and his tackle arrived too late.

Much of the scrutiny has been on Mohamed Salah’s decline, but the reality is that both of Liverpool’s bankers, who have been this team’s totems for many years, are far below their best. Van Dijk’s challenge is to address the team’s struggles and his own.

Konate is still struggling badly.

Van Dijk’s fellow centre-back Ibrahima Konate is doing little to help his defensive partner. A simple failure to handle the ball forward left PSV behind in the build-up to a third goal, the latest costly mistake from a player who has been struggling badly.

If Liverpool had been able to complete the signing of Marc Guehi during the summer transfer window, Konate would have been out of the club already. Slot seems to have little faith in Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni is out for the season. But this issue needs to be sorted out.

Konate’s poor form is more than just a mistake. It’s undermining them on a regular basis. Are you confident or too casual? Whatever the problem, Slots can’t rely on players who need to be in their prime and have little time between games, and that’s difficult to fix.

Concerns about Cerkes are growing.

The left-back had a poor start to his Liverpool career, losing his place to Andrew Robertson before the end of the international break. The Scotland international’s efforts for his country presented another opportunity, but Kerkes failed to seize it.

He was made difficult from the start by Sergino Dest and Guus Til. Perhaps most worryingly, he was seen protesting alongside Van Dijk not long before scoring PSV’s second goal. His teammates turned away in horror when they saw him defeated.

Continued support from the Anfield crowd is vital if the former Bournemouth man is to succeed in Liverpool Red, but the real concern is that Kerkes still has a lot of work to do to convince his teammates that he cannot succeed at this football club.

Salah is a defensive liability

Even though he inexplicably gave away the ball inside his own area in the second half, there will be more sympathy for Curtis Jones in the other full-back position. Slot is thriving at right-back, with Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong both unavailable.

However, anyone playing at right-back will find Salah targeted and isolated while playing in front of them. The winger rarely does any defensive work, which is considered a stylistic success when he delivers in front of goal.

Now his output has dropped, creating an opportunity for every opponent. For PSV’s second goal, Mauro Junior was allowed to wander past Salah unchallenged, allowing the Dutch side to restore the lead and set up a move that turned the game on its head.

Isaac can’t get up to speed yet.

Alexander Isak came off the bench for the final 30 minutes but was unable to change the course of the game. The expensive Newcastle signing made 10 appearances for Liverpool and his only goal came against Southampton in the Carabao Cup.

Isak has one snap from an angle but lacks sharpness and can’t yet be trusted to provide the kind of pressure Slot wants to see from his striker. The Liverpool manager highlighted this point after Hugo Ekitiche suffered back spasms.

Commenting on the second half drop, Slot said: “It had a bit to do with Hugo Ekitike feeling his back right after half-time. That’s why the pressing wasn’t aggressive enough. If the pressing wasn’t aggressive enough, they have players who can outplay you.”

Isak is still waiting for that big moment in front of goal that will ignite his Liverpool career. But the reason Ekitike has so quickly become a fan favorite is not just because he finds the net, but because of the energy he brings. Isaac’s game still lacks that aspect.