Liverpool’s struggles in their title defense season have brought increased scrutiny to Arne Slot’s attacking tactics, particularly in relation to the team’s use of the number nine position. Despite significant investment in the squad over the summer, exceeding £450m, the team’s performance has seen a rapid decline. The recent 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest marked their sixth defeat in seven league games, raising serious concerns about the team’s overall structure and especially the deployment of the centre forward.
David Lynch, in a conversation with Dave Davis for Anfield Index, provided a comprehensive analysis of the situation, with a focus on Alexander Isak’s role within the team. Isak, brought in for £125m to revamp Liverpool’s attacking line, has struggled to make an impact. With no goals, assists, or clear connection with the midfield and wide forwards, his lack of influence was glaringly evident in the recent loss to Forest.
Lynch pointed out Isak’s limited involvement in the game, emphasized by his mere 15 touches. This lack of interaction highlights Liverpool’s disjointed build-up play and raises questions about Isak’s isolated position on the field. The issue, Lynch argued, lies not in Isak’s readiness but in the team’s overall setup and the lack of structure to support the striker effectively.
Despite recruiting two natural number nines in Isak and Hugo Ekitike, Liverpool continues to struggle with getting their strikers involved in the game, a recurring problem from the previous season that remains unresolved. Lynch criticized the team for underutilizing their expensive assets and failing to adapt their play to suit the strengths of the forwards.
The decision to start Isak in a crucial game against Forest was heavily criticized by Lynch, who believed it was a poor judgement call, given the circumstances of the match. The inability to maximize the impact of the number nines within the team system raises concerns about Liverpool’s long-term planning and the effectiveness of their summer recruitment choices.
With Liverpool’s ambitions at stake, Lynch’s warnings about the team’s reliance on the number nine position and the need for a structural shift to make it a pivotal part of the team’s tactics are critical. As the season progresses, Liverpool must address these issues to avoid drifting further away from their goals and aspirations under Slot’s management.
