Liverpool are stale and need more creativity in midfield

Liverpool struggled to overcome Arsenal over 90 minutes. Again.

This is the second time it’s happened in the last six weeks.

Of course, both games must be prefaced with the fact that neither game in the grand scheme of things mattered. The defeat at the Emirates Stadium was ‘after the Lord Mayor’s show’ and the Community Shield was a curtain raising opportunity to showcase the wider squad talent.

However, the “mentality monsters” belong to a club which prides itself on an era of success and not just a year of it. Whilst our competitors have made several purchases, Liverpool’s transfer of Kostas Tsimikas so far is the only notable addition to the Reds’ squad.

Even then, Tsimikas will play back-up to Andy Robertson.

So it appears that Liverpool will go into the new season with largely the same squad as before, albeit a year older.

Liverpool must not squander this opportunity to build on what has been a monumental period for the club. Becoming the first British side to win the global grand slam was a statement of intent but since February 2020, performances have been patchy and it has been noticeable that teams have adopted the ‘Atletico template’ against us to some success.

They aim to keep it tight,  score the first goal and then play six at the back with regular time eating tactics thrown in for good measure. In a 90 minute game, this approach can and has paid off. The positive is that we know this is our Achilles heel.

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Parked triple decker buses will be commonplace in season 2020-21. The concern is whether we have enough creativity in our armoury to break this down.

When Trent Alexander-Arnold plays, both he and Robertson on the other flank provide supply. When teams stretch out their midfield to squeeze the space or when Neco Williams is our right back, it demands more craft and guile from our midfield.

When Liverpool need to attack, the workmanlike engine in that area – Fabinho, Gini Wijnaldum and James Milner started on Sunday, is all too one dimensional. There are not many goals or assists in this triumvirate.

The skipper Jordan Henderson, who offers the team so much more by his presence on the pitch, is also more energy and carry than craft and assists.

This is most certainly an area to address in terms of the combinations with Curtis Jones, Naby Keita and Takumi Minamino possible answers but there is little experience at the highest level in this group.

This then takes us to our trio up front. Two of the three – Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah are long distance runners who operate on the wings whilst Roberto Firmino drops deep to search for the ball. This nullifies our attack as was evident on Saturday and at other times last season e.g. Sheffield United away despite the win and Burnley at home.

Teams facing Liverpool next season will up their game just because the Champions are in town. The development of this squad of players – many of whom are in the 28 – 30 year old age bracket, will need freshening up not least in case of injuries.

This is still a squad unlike Manchester City, which will be able to fight on two fronts – the Premier League and Champions League. The domestic cup competitions will be opportunities for the fringe and young players to showcase their talents.

The transfer window closes in the middle of October but the Champions must exhaust the time that remains to add more tools to their cupboard. The new season will demand them.

Riaz Ravat is a member of Liverpool FC’s Equality & Diversity Fan Forum. He writes in a personal capacity.