As April swings in and Grand National charges descend on Merseyside for the world’s most famous steeplechase, scrutiny of Liverpool’s demise from Premier League champions at a canter to comparative also-rans is seemingly intensifying.
Their Champions League meeting with Paris St-Germain on Wednesday appears crucial in stemming a run of form which reads: draw at home with Tottenham, defeat at Brighton, hammering at Manchester City.
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Social media is in frenzy. Some of the things being questioned include the coffee bar at the training ground, the cars players drive, watches, Arne Slot’s comments, ticket-price changes, Virgil van Dijk’s comments, Dominik Szobozslai’s body language… the list goes on.
Ultimately, the discourse, theories and hot takes seem to be multiplying. What seems far more scarce is solutions, ways forward, routes to progress, with no obvious sense of who may stop the rot and whether it can be stopped at all.
One step forward may be to run more. Some insist Liverpool’s players can’t anymore, with a perceived lack of conditioning apparent to those scrutinising the players. Online chat points to more days off for the Reds’ players than any time in recent memory.
Data circulated by statisticians Opta on Tuesday appears illuminating. Liverpool – for so long built on Jurgen Klopp’s press and intensity – rank 19th for high-intensity pressures applied in the opponent’s half in the Premier League this season.
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To go further, Slot’s side are 20th for high-intensity pressures applied in the middle third of the pitch – 289 fewer than any other side.
Energy conservation seems the name of the game. It is perhaps surprising then that the Reds have seemingly slumped late on in fixtures, leaking 18 goals in the final 20 minutes of league games – that is two more than any other side.
The results are what they are – since matchday six, Liverpool have lost 10 times, winning nine, with as many as 11 sides earning more points than their 34 in that time. It is mid-table form on offer for a fanbase that, one year ago, had just watched the late Diogo Jota win the Merseyside derby to all but end any title doubts.
Saturday will see Liverpool play host to brave horses and jockeys slogging their way over Aintree’s turf in pursuit of glory. There will be thrills, winners and dashed dreams. Sweat will be spent.
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Slot’s side host Fulham a few gallops away shortly after the showpiece race. Questions and disharmony hang in the air.
The sight of sweat being spent on the Anfield turf seems a good place to start if solutions are to be found.
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