Analyzing Liverpool’s Resurgence Under Arne Slot: A Critical Perspective

Arne Slot teetered on the edge. Another loss for Liverpool against West Ham could’ve spelled disaster. Yet, something shifted. Fueled by significant contributions from their expensive acquisitions, Liverpool secured a much-needed win. This buys Slot some time, at least until the next match.

The pressure cooker at Liverpool has been intense. The team, once dominant, entered the match mired in their worst slump in decades, especially away from home in London. Slot desperately needed a turnaround, and West Ham, still reeling from the passing of club legend Billy Bonds, offered a glimmer of opportunity.
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A complete revival isn’t guaranteed for Slot. Still, this victory demonstrates that his position isn’t entirely hopeless. When asked about his overriding feeling after the game, Slot simply stated, “Relief,” following Cody Gakpo’s late goal that sealed the win.

Slot is taking bold steps to orchestrate this turnaround. Consider his decision to bench Mohamed Salah, a Premier League first since April. Such gambles can either make or break a manager. This time, it worked. Dropping the usually infallible talisman proved to be a shrewd move.

Slot explained this decision as a product of scheduling and tactics, rather than a reflection of Salah’s current form. He was careful to praise Salah’s legacy and future with the club, emphasizing the need for squad rotation given the congested fixture list and limited player availability. It’s a standard PR move, but the results speak for themselves, don’t they?
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One notable positive was the revitalized performance of Florian Wirtz. His absence due to injury coincided with Liverpool’s recent disastrous showings. Back in the lineup, he looked like a different player, almost justifying his hefty price tag.

Slot, ever the diplomat, played down individual contributions, emphasizing the improved team performance. Even so, Wirtz’s influence was undeniable. Slot stated that “After a very positive performance from Florian, I can acknowledge that but I also want to emphasise the team performance was much better” but there was no denying his quality.

Positioned centrally, with Dominik Szoboszlai on the right, Wirtz became the focal point of Liverpool’s attack. He provided the creative spark and, crucially, supplied Alexander Isak with service, albeit with mixed initial results.

Isak, a known tormentor of West Ham, could’ve added to his goal tally if not for Alphonse Areola’s outstanding goalkeeping. Still, Isak also squandered chances, displaying a finishing touch that didn’t quite align with his status as one of the Premier League’s most expensive players.

Despite the positives, Isak would likely be replaying a missed opportunity in his head after Gakpo teed him up perfectly. Wasted chances like that tend to overshadow the progress made elsewhere, and Slot voiced his frustration about Liverpool’s recurring profligacy in front of goal. “The things that were similar (from recent losses) were that again we couldn’t score our first chances,” he lamented.

Remarkably, Liverpool managed to navigate the first half without conceding, only the second time they’ve achieved this since September 20th. It was an opportunity to take control – a rare occurrence lately. They seized it, thanks in large part to their expensive summer signings.

Isak grabbed the headlines, scoring his first Premier League goal for Liverpool with a well-placed finish. It ended a two-month goal drought. Wirtz, however, deserves significant credit. His patience and vision in the build-up were crucial. He held the ball up, identified the gap in West Ham’s defense, and slipped a pass to Gakpo, who then assisted Isak’s goal. A textbook example of link-up play.

Wirtz’s performance was consistently impressive, while Isak enjoyed a moment of glory. Soon after his goal, Isak was replaced by Hugo Ekitike, a move that allowed Slot to acknowledge his contribution.

With a lead established, Liverpool faced the daunting task of maintaining a clean sheet. It’s a challenge they’ve struggled with this season.

Their cause was aided by Lucas Paqueta’s senseless behavior, which saw him receive two yellow cards in quick succession for dissent. West Ham were reduced to ten men.

Even with a numerical disadvantage, West Ham nearly equalized late in the game, as Jarrod Bowen’s shot narrowly missed the target. Slot breathed a sigh of relief that, for once, his team didn’t concede from the opposition’s first significant chance. He added that “The good thing was that for the first time in many, many, many games, the first chance of the opponent didn’t go in as well. The best thing was it was their only chance and it came after 90 minutes,”

Gakpo’s late goal sealed the victory, easing the tension and prompting chants of Slot’s name from the away supporters. “It tells you that this club is always together, even more in the difficult moments,” Slot said. It’s clear that Liverpool fans are still backing their manager.

Yet, public sentiment can shift quickly. To ensure a genuine recovery, Liverpool must avoid reverting to their recent poor form. Slot, who is currently precariously positioned, has taken a step in the right direction. The path forward, however, will be long and full of potential pitfalls. Liverpool needs consistency. Can they achieve it? Only time will tell.

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Keywords: Arne Slot, Liverpool, Premier League, Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Liverpool resurgence, Liverpool West Ham, Mohamed Salah