Liverpool pays the price for Slot's mistakes

02/10/2025 06:57:00 GameGladiator

Arne Slot does not always make mistakes, but when he does, they are often serious decisions, as seen in Istanbul. The loss to Galatasaray not only left Liverpool empty-handed but also revealed many weaknesses in tactics, personnel, and balance in their playing style.

1. In football, a tactical error can change the outcome of the entire match. Against Galatasaray, Arne Slot made such a mistake. After Victor Osimhen scored early from the penalty spot, Liverpool became completely confused. This should have been the moment for a prompt adjustment, but the Dutch coach stubbornly kept the tactical system that was not running smoothly.

Most notably, the decision to position Dominik Szoboszlai as right-back instead of using Jeremie Frimpong, the £29 million signing, or Conor Bradley. Szoboszlai is not a true defender and was quickly exposed. He committed a foul inside the box, causing Liverpool to pay with an early goal. This confusion caused the team to lose direction. Midfielders were unclear about their roles, the attack lacked connection, and the defense was repeatedly exploited for its lack of pace.

When Mohamed Salah unexpectedly had to sit on the bench, Liverpool lost their attacking foundation even more. The second half was dull, with Liverpool creating only one significant chance but failing to convert it. The price for Slot’s stubbornness and ill-timed experimentation was defeat. The Istanbul match thus became a clear example that sometimes one wrong choice is enough to pull the entire team down.

2. If we mention the biggest disappointment at Istanbul, Florian Wirtz’s name certainly comes up first. Liverpool spent £116 million to sign the young German talent, hoping he would become the new core of the attack. However, against Galatasaray, Wirtz almost "disappeared" on the field. No goals, no assists, not a single pass creating chances, his presence only highlighted the disappointment.

Slot’s mistakes made Liverpool pay the price on Galatasaray’s pitch

Notably, this was not the only match where Wirtz disappointed. Since the start of the season, the midfielder has yet to directly contribute to any Premier League goals. Jamie Carragher even openly suggested dropping Wirtz from the starting lineup, while Alan Shearer believed Slot was "no longer comfortable" trusting other options. The pressure of being a "hundred-million-pound signing" has become an excessive burden for a player new to the harsh environment of English football.

Wirtz is still young and his potential is undeniable. However, to become a playmaker leader, he needs time. The problem is that Slot placed too high expectations on him too early. Instead of creating an environment to help Wirtz grow gradually, he gave him heavy responsibilities from the start of the season. Istanbul clearly showed: when trust exceeds actual ability, disappointment is inevitable.

3. This season, Liverpool no longer maintain the solidity they had last year. The cause is not only personnel changes but also Slot’s rush to apply a new system. Forcing Wirtz into the formation caused Liverpool to lose their natural balance. They are no longer solid in defense, lack creativity in midfield, and have lost the sharpness they used to have in attack.

The biggest issue is dependence on a player who is not ready. When Slot decided to trust Wirtz at all costs, others in the squad were affected. Teammates had to adjust their roles to give him space, but the result was a fragmented team. The loss to Galatasaray was not only a tactical failure but also a failure in managing trust.

Fans have therefore collectively called for a return to "basics," meaning the system that proved effective last season. This does not mean completely removing Wirtz, but clearly, he needs less pressure to gradually integrate. Slot must remember that trust is a double-edged sword: placed correctly, it is strength; placed at the wrong time, it becomes a burden. Istanbul showed Liverpool is carrying an unnecessary weight, and only Slot can remove it.

Tran Giap

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