Cabin BLV: Liverpool faces crisis as Isak struggles to find rhythm

22/10/2025 16:15:00 PANDATV

Liverpool is currently in a performance crisis, having lost four consecutive matches across all competitions. The main cause is that key newcomers like Alexander Isak have adapted too slowly to the season.

1. In Arne Slot’s debut season, Liverpool clinched the Premier League title with a squad regarded as well-balanced across all lines. Nonetheless, the Dutch manager does not want Liverpool to confine their ambitions to domestic trophies alone. He aims for the team to advance deeply in the Champions League, which is why Liverpool made high-value signings in the summer transfer window, including Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, each valued at over £100 million.

Liverpool’s heavy spending partly stems from the pressure to defend their Premier League crown and improve their Champions League results compared to last season. The issue is that too much expectation was placed on Isak, who transferred from Newcastle for £125 million but had almost no preseason preparation since he did not train with Newcastle. This caused the Swedish forward to adapt very slowly to Liverpool, as reflected in his disappointing recent performances despite Slot’s strong preference for him over Ekitike, another Liverpool newcomer performing better. While Isak has yet to show his true self due to needing time to settle in, Slot’s tactical system has immediately encountered difficulties this season, and those around him have also underperformed, particularly Mohamed Salah.

Isak’s slow adaptation to the season has led to Liverpool’s unbelievable drop in form.

This is the result of Liverpool’s inadequate preseason preparation, where new signings did not have enough time to grasp the style of football Slot demands. Another problem at Anfield is defensive vulnerability. In short, Slot is undergoing the most stressful period since succeeding Jurgen Klopp last summer, whereas last season was smoother because the Dutch coach did not bring in many new players.

2. With Liverpool’s form declining and their chances in the Premier League title race diminishing, former manager Klopp recently revealed in an interview that he remains open to the possibility of leading Liverpool again in the future, although he said it wouldn’t happen immediately if offered. Currently, Klopp is the global football director at Red Bull and also helps the German Football Association in youth player development.

Salah, Isak, and Ekitike powerless as Liverpool falls in Turkey

However, it is my personal view that a reunion between Liverpool and Klopp is highly unlikely. The reason the German coach left Anfield after nine years was due to burnout and the need for a break to recharge. Klopp may keep the door open for a return, but if he does come back, rebuilding Liverpool will be even more challenging as the team has lost several key players who were vital under Klopp.

The best course of action for Liverpool now is to continue trusting Slot and accept that the team will face rough patches. The Dutch coach has the capability to bring Liverpool back to winning ways. Slot needs to find a way to reactivate Isak’s original form since the Swedish striker is central to his project this season. Isak’s poor form also renders another new signing, Wirtz, ineffective. The defense also worries Slot, with Konate’s inconsistent displays and Van Dijk showing signs of aging. The Dutch coach must find a stable solution for the back four to help Liverpool overcome this crisis.

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