Former Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso has shed some light on just what exactly their problems have been this season.
The Spaniard was in Liverpool taking part in the LFC Legends game against Manchester United at Anfield – a game that saw the Reds come from behind to win 2-1.
United’s Dimitar Berbatov opened the scoring before efforts from Mark Gonzalez and Florent Sinama-Pongolle saw Liverpool come away with the victory.
Following the game, Alonso spoke to the media and he outlined what the issues that Liverpool are currently facing.
The highlights as LFC Legends come from behind to win against Manchester United 📽 pic.twitter.com/7g1xPLYjbq
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 25, 2022
Alonso on Liverpool’s problems
The midfielder claimed that Liverpool have an abundance of quality but claims the demands of last season and their intensity are major factors.
“Liverpool’s game is about the quality they have – tactical as well as energy,” he claimed. “Last year was very demanding and always to keep on top, it’s not easy.”
“It’s a great challenge every season but I’m sure that the team is up for it – the players, the staff, the great manager we have. There are still lots of things to happen but they will be there for sure.”
His claims are fair, Liverpool have been outrun and outsprinted in every game they’ve played this season bar the Ajax victory – it’s an example of how their intensity has dropped off after what was an uncharacteristically long season last year.
The criticism of Liverpool’s defence is justified but misses wider issues. Usually get away with high line because of the pressure and cohesion from front three and midfield. The front three look like they’ve never played together and the midfield is awful, leaving them exposed
— Tyrone Marshall (@TyMarshall_MEN) September 7, 2022
That build-up of 63 games, plus international breaks plus the pressure have all mounted on the squad. It’s only natural they would feel the effects after playing in every competitive game they could last season.
Losing out in the final of the Champions League and Premier League on the final day will have surely hurt the players who put so much into last year. Now the issue is the squad are finding it hard to get going once again.
Perhaps players needed to be brought into the squad in certain positions to ensure they found their spark again but since it can’t be addressed until January, or most likely next summer, they need to get all their starters back fit and things will start to pick up.
Jordan Henderson and Thiago should be back into the first time after the international break and Ibrahima Konate will also be back available too. It’s common knowledge that Liverpool’s starting eleven is one of the strongest around and it’s about time we saw them at full strength again.
