As on casters. This could have been the subtitle of the first season of Arne Slot on the bench of Liverpool. We promised him a difficult succession, after the departure of Jürgen Klopp and a Mercato Riquiqui? He left to seek the title of Champion of England. We therefore logically imagined a dream season by seeing the 5 -star transfer window offered by its leaders, with Wirtz, Isak, Ekitike, Kerkez and Frimpong. But now, if the first outings gave birth to victories, often in extremis, the last two highlighted the deficiencies of the Reds.
Starting with the major point, the difficult adaptation of Florian Wirtz, recruited for € 137 million and desperately ineffective (1 assist to his credit). His coach seeks to give him confidence and chains the starts but the German international is far from the delicious breakup player he was in Leverkusen. We feel his desire to go ahead, but instead of swaying dribbles, he goes on to the losses of bullets and gets life complicated. Today, it is its start -up that is claimed by consultants and supporters.
Executives also disappoint
The other new thieves are barely more inspired. Kerkez is perhaps the most convincing, with Hugo Ekitike, but the two have already been pinned by their coach publicly, for a gesture considered stupid. Each time for a box received stupidly. FRIMPONG, announced as the successor of Alexander-Arnold, was injured and today plays a higher notch, without convincing, forcing Slot to use Szboszlai as a right side. Finally, Alexander Isak seems far from his best physical level, following his training strike with Newcastle to force his transfer.
Recruits are not the only ones to disappoint, some executives also draw. Ibrahima Konaté in the first place. In difficulty since the start of the season, much less dominant in duels, he gets moving like rarely. Osimhen, a hell of a client, of course, had fun with him on Tuesday evening, and in the Premier League, Liverpool is one of the teams that collect the most goals on a stopped kick. Almost a quirk when you align a Van Dijk-Konaté hinge. Perhaps decentralized by discussions around his contract extension, the French defender is today pointed out in England.
He extended his contract after his best season with Liverpool statistically. He almost forced his leaders to extend his lease, while reflection on his age (33) did not play in his favor. His start to the season does not encourage optimism, even if he has scored 3 goals and delivered 3 assists in 9 matches in all competitions. We feel less sharp in the field, and not yet in line with his new teammates. Understandable, but Liverpool will only find his bite with an inspired Salah.
