Liverpool have lost their past two Premier League games and three on the bounce. In the aftermath there’s been plenty of focus on the struggles that Arne Slot’s side has had executing an effective press
going back to the tail end of last season. On balance, though, those two league losses are harsh on balance.
Against Crystal Palace last week, Liverpool lost 2-1 in a game where Palace created 3.53 expected goals and the Reds recorded 3.1. Their opponents were the better side, but Liverpool’s finishing was poor and a high-scoring draw might have looked fairer. Then against Chelsea, Liverpool had 2.06 expected goals to the Blues’ 1.24 but again lost 2-1.
Liverpool’s press hasn’t been as effective as in the past. There are legitimate concerns about this side’s structure and balance. It’s worth acknowledging, though, that based on the underlying numbers a win and a draw—or at worst a win and a loss—would have been the fair result of the Palace and Chelsea matches.
“Another disappointing loss, that’s clear,” was manager Arne Slot’s take on the situation following the Chelsea defeat. “Another game similar to Palace, although the game was completely different because the playing style of both teams are completely different, and in the first half I think we played not our best football but still were able to create three big chances.
“The second-half performance, like Palace, we created more than enough chances. There was a period of the game I felt, now we’re going to win it. We came very close a lot of times but also had moments we did not play it well enough with the last pass. Both teams could have won it. We didn’t, Chelsea did.”
In isolation, either of the two league losses this past week or even last Tuesday’s defeat at Galatasaray in the Champions League wouldn’t seem like that big a deal, really. Sometimes the final pass is just off. Sometimes the chances don’t get converted. Sometimes the opponent scores from a low value chance.
Three in a row, though, makes it difficult. Still, Liverpool are in second, just a point off new leaders Arsenal after seven Premier League rounds. And a win and draw from their first two in Europe this season isn’t the end of the world. There’s room for improvement, though—and less room than a week ago for dropping points a side chasing the title simply can’t.
