What Has Happened to Liverpool?

There’s no need to panic, but it’s clear that adjustments are necessary.

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In the 2019/2020 Premier League season, Liverpool swept aside all before them. They won a first league title in 30 years, amassing a total of 99 points, and only lost three games all season to finish 18 points ahead of 2nd placed Manchester City.

The most obvious reason for Liverpool’s drop-off in performances is several key defensive injuries, most notably to Virgil Van Dijk. Since joining the club in 2018, Van Dijk has transformed Liverpool with his centre-half performances, confirming his status as the best centre-half in the world. His injury, plus others to Joe Gomez and Joel Matip, have seen Liverpool deploy midfielders Fabinho and Jordan Henderson in defense.

Both Fabinho and Henderson have performed well in defence, and Liverpool’s defensive record is still good. However, losing them from midfield has caused difficulties higher up the pitch. In particular, Henderson is a big loss to the midfield as the team is missing his driving energy and direct forward passes into the forwards. This has resulted in a slower build-up to the attacks. That means teams can set-up to defend more easily against them.

Another reason for the drop in Liverpool’s form, which is also linked to the above, is the number of games that all teams are being forced to play in a short period due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yes, this is the same for all teams, and all teams are suffering injuries, too. Man City are currently missing their two best players in Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero. However, Liverpool seems to be suffering as much as anyone because many of the replacements are not of the same quality.

Recent performances have suggested that the much-feared front-three of Mo Salah, Sadio Mane, and Roberto Firmino are all in need of a rest. However, when any of these have been rested, the replacements have not proved capable of meeting the required high standards.

Added to the current defensive injuries means that midfielders are required to play out of position. As a result, the midfield options are reduced and can not be rotated as much as Liverpool wants.

Finally, the reason for Liverpool’s drop from the top is that a freshen-up of the side is needed. With just the odd addition, this Liverpool team has been dominant for three seasons, including the 2018 Champions League final, the 2019 Champions League winners, 97 points in the Premier League, and the 2020 Premier League Championship.

The great Manchester United teams under Sir Alex Ferguson never won more than three titles in a row, achieving that twice between 1999 and 2001 and, again, between 2008 and 2009. Other than the great Ferguson United teams, only Chelsea in 2005 and 2006 and Manchester City in 2018 and 2019, have won back-to-back Premier League titles.

That shows that all great sides eventually have a drop-off in performances and results. This doesn’t mean major changes and a complete overhaul of the team is needed. But small tweaks to the personnel and playing style could bring a new dimension to the team. For example, Liverpool could bring in a natural centre-forward to give a different option from the current ‘false 9’ system they adopt with Firmino up-front. Also, most of the width in Liverpool’s attacks comes from the two full-backs, and the wide forwards run inside. So a natural winger to bring width in an attacking role would again cause new and different problems to the opposition.

Players like Van Dijk, Henderson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson, Alisson, Salah, Mane, and others are still world-class players–crucial to any success Liverpool continues to have.

I believe that once the key players return from injury and the schedule becomes less intense–plus with a few new players and tactical options are added–Liverpool will again challenge the top of the Premier League table and compete for the biggest trophies in Football.