Premier League: Wait until Liverpool are at their strongest.

Initial impression: Man. City's 4-0 victory at Wolverhampton was much easier than Liverpool's 4-2 win against Bournemouth in the opening round of the 2025-2026 Premier League season.

Both teams scored four goals, but Liverpool had to wait until the 88th minute to feel somewhat secure, when Federico Chiesa increased the score to 3-2. And in the fourth minute of added time, Mohamed Salah finally sealed the victory with a goal to make it 4-2. There was both a struggle and a lack of tactical conviction in Liverpool's win. Leading by two goals at home, only to allow a weaker opponent to equalize, with both goals coming from counter-attacks, is unacceptable. Counter-attacks are a situation a team leading and in a dominant position must guard against. Allowing them to happen is already a mistake, let alone conceding two goals. Furthermore, this detail contradicts the tactical approach of coach Arne Slot.

Manager Arne Slot and Liverpool are predicted to face a challenging season.

PHOTO: REUTERS

Last season, Slot arrived at Liverpool to replace Jürgen Klopp under virtually no pressure to deliver results. He took over an already established squad (Liverpool only bought Chiesa for £10 million last summer). Under these conditions, Slot was successful in his early stages thanks to his ability to coach during matches – his keen situational awareness and ability to make appropriate adjustments. Ironically, Liverpool lost their 2-0 lead against Bournemouth because Slot's strengths suddenly seemed to be weaknesses. What does this story tell us? This is certainly not a perfect Liverpool. But they still won (and scored 4 goals). So, how strong will Slot's Liverpool be once things settle down?

Liverpool entered last season with a completely stable squad. The only real new addition was manager Slot, as Chiesa hardly played (it wasn't until May that Chiesa made his fifth appearance for Liverpool, enough to earn him a championship medal). Now, nearly half of Liverpool's starting lineup for their Premier League opening match consists of new signings acquired this summer.

Not only are the personnel new, but the full-back pairing of Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez this season also has a very different playing style compared to Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson in the past. Further up the pitch, Liverpool now has to build its game around attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz. In the past, Liverpool's strengths were (depending on the specific time) the attacking trio of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, and Sadio Mane; the full-back pairing of Arnold and Robertson; center-back Virgil Van Dijk; and goalkeeper Alisson. These were all considered some of the "strongest in the world " strengths of Liverpool. Conversely, midfield was never the most important area in the team built by manager Klopp.

Now that Liverpool have signed attacking midfielder Wirtz for the highest transfer fee in the club's history, he's naturally a central figure in the style of football that Slot is building. Hugo Ekitz's center forward position is also quite new. It turns out that after leading Liverpool to the championship, Slot's work is only just beginning. He's recruiting his preferred players and pursuing his own style of play. Clearly, Slot isn't finished yet, judging by what was shown in the opening match. Wirtz hasn't made a significant impact. Midfielder Ryan Gravenberch (a key player whose role Slot changed, leading to success last season) hasn't even appeared yet. Certainly, the true "Liverpool" strength lies in the future, not right now.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ngoai-hang-anh-hay-cho-den-luc-liverpool-manh-nhat-185250817190137629.htm