From Last-Gasp Winners to Woes - The Reds' Late Goal Problem
The Brazilian star nets 95th minute winner in thrilling victory against Liverpool
The champions' dangerous strategy has been packed with danger throughout this term and the Premier League title holders have now lost their balance spectacularly to slip from the summit of the standings.
Arne Slot's reigning champions secured successes with last-minute strikes in the initial period of the defence of their title, relying on thrilling conclusions to escape to victory while disguising results that has proven inconsistent since the campaign began.
The Turning Tables
Bournemouth, Newcastle United, Arsenal, Burnley and The Spanish side all lost to late strikes – but it was a dangerous unmaintainable tactic, notably with Liverpool so far from optimal performance.
And now they have experienced the sour experience of their own strategy in two instances in a week's span.
Recent Setbacks
The Blues' merited 2-1 triumph was delivered by the Brazilian's stoppage-time goal, while the team's initial English top-flight loss of the term was delivered by the striker's late finish for Crystal Palace.
Between these setbacks, Galatasaray defeated Liverpool 1-0 in the unique atmosphere of Istanbul's impressive RAMS Park, with Slot losing three straight games for the maiden instance in his managerial journey.
Coach's Outlook
"Last week, same as now, the small details haven't gone in our favour," the Dutch tactician stated to media.
"During both fixtures we've created better scoring chances than the opposition we have faced - yet the fact is that we have only scored once in both games and the opposition has converted twice."
Numerical Analysis
Narrow differences certainly - but there is no denying the extraordinary shift in fortunes. A remarkable 10 goals have been converted subsequent to the 80-minute point in Liverpool's eleven fixtures up to now this term.
All but two of those strikes have modified the outcome of the fixture.
The Reds' Late Scores - Winning and Losing
The wins...
Liverpool 4-2 The Cherries - The Italian winger 88' and Mohamed Salah 90+4'
Newcastle 2-3 The visitors - Rio Ngumoha 90+10'
The home side 1-0 Arsenal - Dominik Szoboszlai 83'
The Clarets 0-1 The champions - Mohamed Salah (pen) 90+3'
The English side 3-2 Atletico Madrid - Virgil van Dijk 90+2'
The Saints 1-2 Liverpool - The striker 85'
The defeats...
Crystal Palace 2-1 Liverpool - The winger 87' and Eddie Nketiah 90+7'
The Blues 2-1 Liverpool - Estevao Willian 90+5'
Fundamental Problems
Late goals or anyway, the brutal truth is that Liverpool have looked like a faint imitation of the side that strolled to the English title prior term.
The Merseyside club have seemed unsettled after an introduction of approximately £450m worth of recent additions.
Strategic Modifications
Slot provided Liverpool a more recognizable look by omitting the German playmaker to reinstate the title-winning engine room of The Dutch midfielder, Dominik Szoboszlai and Alex Mac Allister.
Liverpool were less exposed, although Szoboszlai was moved to right-back when the defender was replaced at the break.
Personal Difficulties
Mohamed Salah, one of the finest footballers ever to wear the Liverpool shirt, has emerged as symbolic of their difficulties.
Only a fool would write off the veteran who has been displaying moments of brilliance since he came at the stadium in the summer of 2017.
Future Prospects
After Liverpool reset after the international break, they will understandably expect a lot more from their costly offensive players.
From a team threatening to carry all before it earlier in the season, even if without being at peak form and relying on last-minute strikes, the champions presently seem unstable.
This constitutes the worst week for Slot since he took over from the previous manager.
Several bemoan the break of the national team window – Liverpool are now struggling so badly they may just welcome the opportunity to refresh psychologically.