25% Duels Won, 18x Ball Lost: 5/10 Liverpool Man is Now on Borrowed Time Under Arne Slot
Liverpool edged past Vitor Pereira’s resilient Wolverhampton Wanderers with a tense 2-1 victory at Anfield, further solidifying their position at the top of the Premier League table.
Arne Slot’s side delivered an unconvincing performance, allowing Wolves 16 attempts on goal throughout a turbulent 90 minutes. However, securing the three points remained the priority, and the win extended their lead at the summit of the league to seven points.
Luis Díaz and Mohamed Salah played pivotal roles in rescuing the home side, netting two crucial first-half goals. Their efforts compensated for the underwhelming displays of several teammates, some of whom struggled to meet expectations despite Liverpool’s commanding position.
Liverpool’s Key Underperformers
Liverpool’s performance was uncharacteristically sloppy in possession, with the entire team struggling to maintain control. Trent Alexander-Arnold, in particular, was noticeably off his game, often playing out too casually from the back.
The usually composed full-back endured a difficult hour on the pitch, losing possession 13 times and failing to register a single shot on target when pushing forward towards José Sá’s goal. It was a night to forget for him.
Alisson also appeared uncertain with his distribution, completing only 63% of his passes by the final whistle. Additionally, he was unable to get a hand to a powerful effort from Matheus Cunha, adding to Liverpool’s defensive concerns.
Diogo Jota endured another frustrating outing, failing to make an impact against his former club. The ex-Wolves forward struggled to get involved, registering just 20 touches throughout the match.
In contrast, Matheus Cunha displayed his usual composure, capitalising on an opportunity to pull Wolves back into what was already an edgy contest.
Despite Jota’s struggles and several other underwhelming performances, one display in particular would have been especially frustrating for Arne Slot as he observed from the sidelines.
Andy Robertson’s Performance in Numbers
It has been widely reported that Arne Slot is planning an overhaul in Liverpool’s attacking department, with players like Diogo Jota and Darwin Núñez potentially facing uncertain futures. However, he may also feel the need to reinforce the left-back position sooner rather than later.
Andy Robertson has already come under criticism multiple times this season for his underwhelming performances. In the fiercely contested Merseyside Derby, the Scottish defender won just two duels throughout the match, which contributed to his early substitution.
Despite lasting the full 90 minutes against Wolves, Robertson’s display was arguably even more concerning than his performance against Everton. The visitors from the West Midlands repeatedly exploited his defensive weaknesses.
The former Premier League champion won just 25% of his duels against Vitor Pereira’s determined side, while his carelessness in possession was evident, having lost the ball 18 times over the course of the match.
| Robertson’s performance in numbers | |
|---|---|
| Stat | Robertson |
| Minutes played | 90 |
| Goals scored | 0 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Touches | 74 |
| Accurate passes | 36/45 (80%) |
| Accurate crosses | 0/3 |
| Successful dribbles | 0/2 |
| Possession lost | 18x |
| Dribbled past | 2x |
| Total duels won | 2/8 |
| Stats by Sofascore | |
A closer look at the statistics further highlights Robertson’s struggles, with his attacking contribution almost nonexistent. He failed to deliver a single accurate cross and did not complete a successful dribble throughout the match.
As a result, Matheus Cunha and his teammates grew in confidence, recognising Robertson’s vulnerability in defence. This allowed Wolves to exploit the left flank, making the second half far more challenging for Liverpool.
Robertson’s long-standing tenure at Anfield could now be under threat. He received a low 5/10 rating from Daily Express journalist Charlie Gordon, and speculation is already building about Liverpool’s interest in AFC Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez as a potential replacement.
While Liverpool’s latest victory reinforced their dominance at the top of the table, concerns are beginning to emerge. Slot’s side remains a formidable force, but cracks are starting to appear in what has often been a well-oiled machine.
In other news, Arne Slot’s Heated History with Referees and Belief That Table is ‘Strongly Influence’
