🔗 Share this article

It seems that Mohamed Salah's limited defensive work has turned into a slight issue for the Merseyside club, especially when facing top-tier opponents.

I can fully grasp if coach the Liverpool boss has instructed the forward to avoid defensive duties, since positioning himself advanced on the right side when regaining possession has established him as one of the global deadliest strikers.

However, the players in support are not providing adequate defensive support, creating significant challenges for anyone is playing at the right defensive position this season.

Be it Conor Bradley or another player, they often find themselves in difficulty due to facing a 2v1 overload on that flank.

This was a clear weakness on Saturday, resulting in Chelsea's decisive goal – and the worry is that other sides will smartly target this weak spot.

{'Salah Has License to Skip Defence Duties'

First of all, I doubt that Slot is instructing the attacker to help defensively and support his defender.

If he had been instructed to follow the opposition's left-back Marc Cucurella, then this was very obvious he did not comply, and the coach would not tolerate that.

Instead, the manager is allowing Salah the freedom to focus exclusively on offensive duties, which is acceptable – we've seen many examples of other teams using comparable approaches, with individuals who choose to conserve their energy for attacking moves.

Yes, there are still certain situations in a game when the team is conceding chances and one might feel compelled to help out.

I know Salah is capable, because during they triumphed at Manchester City last season, his defensive performance was outstanding I've seen from him.

But, he likely been instructed to do so on that occasion, which is why I am not criticizing him if he is told to stay forward.

'The Real Problem Is The Way Liverpool Are Structured In Support of Salah'

The issue with Salah is more about how Liverpool are organized in defensive support, especially against top teams.

His players must offer better and faster help, as it felt like the opposition were moving the ball upfield and subsequently switching it to their left side, because that's where the space existed.

When a their central player went out belatedly – be it Alexis Mac Allister – then he created space in central areas in front of the back line because they were missing a player from the center.

All this becomes less of a problem when facing opponents that you dominate possession against – evidenced by their past success playing such tactics – but they must improve as the top sides will take advantage.

'Liverpool Are Losing Control of Matches'

It is not as if Salah has altered his duties this season, but since he is not scoring at the other end, perhaps the defensive aspect of his game is more noticeable.

I am not overly worried about his current performance, as he will return to form – history shows – in terms of his goal scoring.

He found some excellent situations versus Chelsea but maybe shot when he should have passed, and vice versa, but those opportunities will keep coming and the goals will follow.

My main worry with the team at the moment is their reduced command in games relative to the previous campaign.

It has been a frustrating period for them, of course, not just to suffer three games in a row in the domestic league and Champions League but as the display standards have not been what we expect.

We must consider extenuating circumstances, of course, with the numerous squad adjustments in the off-season and the several of players who did not have preparatory training, but last season Slot's side appeared very good at controlling matches and that is not the situation.

It seemed like their organization was sound, and his more ball-retention approach provided greater command.

It was an aspect that observers immediately noticed he had added to the team, compared to what it was like under the former coach.

Currently, however, I watch them and it looks a bit disorganized. The last half-hour of the Chelsea match was so frenetic it felt like a cup tie – they had chances to win it, but gave away many opportunities too, which is why they ended up defeated.

{How Can The Manager Fix The Team's Problems?

There are a several things that are off about Liverpool, and I keep seeing them giving the ball away, but this is not an unresolvable situation.

Even though they have several new players – and varied profiles too – they should not need to alter their approach. They just need to get back to being a bit more patient and composed.

Good news is they are just one point adrift of table-toppers the front-runners and have time to fix the issues that are underperforming.

The physical element they are missing will improve because the individuals who did not have a full pre-season, such as midfielders and full-backs, will attain peak fitness soon.

Developing effective understanding on the pitch always takes time too, whether it be between the right-back and Salah or additional important combinations.

Therefore, there is no reason to overreact. It seems like at the moment in the Premier League, and not just with this team but with all teams, you are a single match away from 'catastrophe' and criticism.

The reality is what has happened to Liverpool this week will probably occur at some stage to other contenders and rivals as well.

I had not previously believed that side would be in the championship chase, but if their star striker remains motivated and healthy they will be in contention.

Arsenal, defensively, appear excellent again and, overall, after seven games they appear very assured in their performances in all areas – it seems a continuation of last season, with an added dose of talent and depth.

For them it seems more of a rebuild right now. But although there is still work to do for them to find the right equilibrium and partnerships, I think everyone is anticipating them to progress as the campaign advances.