Arne Slot’s debut campaign at Anfield has already demanded constant adaptation. A sequence of nine losses in 12 matches and Mohamed Salah’s outspoken comments earlier in the season tested the new coach’s authority and flexibility.
Arne Slot’s debut campaign at Anfield has already demanded constant adaptation. A sequence of nine losses in 12 matches and Mohamed Salah’s outspoken comments earlier in the season tested the new coach’s authority and flexibility.
Another hurdle has now emerged with Alexander Isak sidelined. The Sweden forward, signed for £125m from Newcastle in the summer, has yet to fully ignite in red, but his sharp movement and composed finish against Tottenham underlined the qualities that convinced Liverpool to invest so heavily.
Slot acknowledged that patience was always part of the plan. He explained that the striker needed time before he could truly influence matches and added that the timing of the injury was particularly unfortunate, as Isak was beginning to resemble the player he had been in his previous campaign.
The Liverpool boss confirmed the problem is significant, suggesting an absence of several weeks at minimum. A return before March appears unlikely, leaving the club short in attack during a demanding period that also includes Salah’s absence at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Liverpool’s recruitment strategy makes an expensive short-term signing in January far from certain. The club has traditionally resisted panic buys, even when injuries disrupt the squad.
Attention therefore shifts to Hugo Ekitike, who has enjoyed a productive league season with eight goals. Slot has spoken positively about the 23-year-old’s adaptation, highlighting how quickly he has settled into English football.
Speculation has also surrounded Harvey Elliott, currently on loan at Aston Villa and unavailable since October. Slot dismissed any immediate recall, stressing that Elliott remains a Villa player for the season and pointing to the Midlands club’s solid form.
With Isak unavailable and Salah away, Slot may have little choice but to reshape his attacking structure rather than rely on reinforcements.
Recent weeks have seen Liverpool adjust their approach, producing a six-match unbeaten sequence. The emphasis has shifted away from explosive attacking play towards balance and stability.
Slot has favoured a midfield diamond, often sacrificing traditional wide forwards. Against Inter, Isak and Ekitike operated together up front, supported by a rotating quartet of Curtis Jones, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, and Alexis Mac Allister.
In subsequent league fixtures, Ekitike led the line alone, with five central midfielders positioned behind him. Jones or Gravenberch frequently dropped deeper in possession to aid construction alongside Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.
Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz, nominally starting wide, regularly drifted inside, allowing the fullbacks to advance and stretch play. This congestion through the middle has helped Liverpool counter earlier issues with central transitions and defensive exposure.
The revised setup has tightened Liverpool’s defensive shape and improved their pressing, particularly compared with using an out-and-out winger in wide roles. However, the system brings limitations.
Clear chances have been scarce despite healthy spells of possession. With width supplied mainly by defenders, one-on-one threats near the touchline are reduced. Slot attempted to address this by repositioning Wirtz wider against Tottenham, where he linked effectively with Kerkez’s forward runs.
Jeremie Frimpong’s late appearance in that match offered another option, as his speed and crossing added a different dimension from the flank.
Without Isak, creativity and goals must come from elsewhere. Mac Allister and Wirtz are likely to support Ekitike centrally, though neither matches the injured striker’s direct running or finishing. Federico Chiesa could be tested in a secondary striking role, mirroring the approach used in Europe.
For now, continuity appears the most probable path. Slot seems inclined to trust possession, structure, and patience, even if that means edging through matches by narrow margins.
