The last time Liverpool were at Stamford Bridge, fans danced around in the sun with balloons spelling out ‘20’ in the Shed End to signify the number of times they had been crowned champions of England.
Six months on, the only 20 in sight is the number of problems for Arne Slot – and that is a conservative estimate. After losing three games in a row for the first time in his managerial career, the Dutchman was left cursing and knowing his team are in a bit of a pickle.
For the third time in a week, the kings of the country were second-best and deserved to lose after falling to defeats at Crystal Palace and Galatasaray, this one coming in the 95th minute after Estevao scored late on to give Liverpool a taste of their own medicine.
So what on earth is going wrong for Slot’s men? And what do they need to do if the balloon shops of Merseyside are to do a roaring trade in May once more? Daily Mail Sport has a look at some of the big talking points from Stamford Bridge…
SALAH CAN’T HIT A BARN DOOR
Fifty-seven goals or assists in 52 games last year for Mohamed Salah was never going to be topped this time, especially with the Egyptian set to fly away to the Africa Cup of Nations in mid-December (a worry in itself for Liverpool).
Three goals and three assists in nine games this year are hardly catastrophic numbers, either – but for his sky-high standards, Salah is not leading this team to wins in the same way he was last year. That is a major concern, especially when fellow attackers are not as consistent.
Liverpool suffered their third successive defeat in all competitions at Chelsea on Saturday
Estevao scored a last-gasp winner deep into stoppage time to guide Chelsea to a 2-1 victory
Star man Mo Salah is struggling to replicate the stunning form he showed from last season
Cody Gakpo scored Liverpool’s goal here to equalise on 65 minutes but other than that, most of their chances ended up with Robert Sanchez, the Chelsea goalkeeper, puffing out his cheeks in relief as the Reds failed to hit the target.
They created more opportunities than in Istanbul on Tuesday, to be fair, and Salah was more involved. But it was the lack of clinicality in the final third that cost Liverpool this match. At 1-1, there were plenty of chances to win. Slot’s men did not take theirs, Chelsea did.
HOW FAR OFF THEIR BEST ARE THEY?
Quite a way, actually. We are now 10 games into the season so we can take stock and our opinions will not feel too kneejerk, whereas the negative comments most certainly did when Liverpool won seven from seven in all competitions to start the campaign.
Now that is seven from 10 so it is certainly not time for a full root-and-branch review. Slot privately knew it would take some time for the new signings to settle so to be just one point behind leaders Arsenal at the second international break is no reason for mass panic.
But the main problem is that the worrying signs have been there all season – in the first four games of the league season, Liverpool needed winning goals in minutes 88, 90+10, 83 and 90+5. You make your own luck in football but it was clear that something was not right.
Defensively, Slot’s men are leaking chances. Last season, opponents would almost look scared to attack against them. But at 1-1 late on here, Enzo Maresca smelt blood and that was evident with his substitutions, including match-winner Estevao, and his team’s approach.
Ibrahima Konate is in the stickiest form of his Liverpool career, whereas even Virgil van Dijk has seen a slump in form.
Substitute Andy Robertson looked slightly off the pace and Slot clearly has a problem at right back, a position he seems to change every single match.
Big money signings Alexander Isak (left) and Florian Wirtz (right) have struggled for form too
Meanwhile in defence, Ibrahima Konate is in the stickiest form of his Liverpool career
HOW LONG UNTIL ISAK AND WIRTZ CLICK?
When you cost £125million, you are under the microscope of scrutiny every single week – and Alexander Isak is discovering that at the moment, as is £116m Florian Wirtz. Both have struggled in the early days of their Liverpool careers.
Isak made a nice assist for Gakpo’s equaliser but, other than that, he did not impact the game enough. As for Wirtz, who started as a substitute, it feels like he is trying almost too hard – as silly as that sounds. The German is dropping deep and attempting passes that are just not on.
For those who thought former Newcastle man Isak would be fit and firing within a fortnight or so, though – that view may need to be adjusted. The Swedish striker looks several yards off the pace and it might be several more weeks before he is anywhere near match-fit.
WILL ALISSON’S INJURY BE COSTLY?
Although Alisson often bails out Liverpool – the 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace last weekend could have been much worse if he was not there – his omission was not the costly factor in this game and No 2 Giorgi Mamardashvili made some smart stops.
The Georgian was commanding when coming from crosses and filled his goal well, though he did prompt a few heart-in-mouth moments for the away end when he seemed to stutter in possession a couple of times.
Alisson’s lay-off will be a big talking point for the Reds in the coming weeks, with the Brazil No 1 set to miss around a month including the next fixture at home to Manchester United, and potentially a trip to Manchester City, but Mamardashvili looks a capable deputy.
What is more worrying for Liverpool, though, is the sight of Ibrahima Konate grimacing as he exited the field – and Andy Robertson also seeming to be in discomfort at full-time. Konate has been poor in the last fortnight but the Frenchman is important to this side.
Liverpool will be without injured No 1 goalkeeper Alisson during a difficult run of fixtures
Arne Slot has plenty to ponder over the international break after Liverpool slipped into second
He has suffered a quad injury and will be assessed in the coming 48 hours before, all being well, jetting off on France duty.
Liverpool only have Joe Gomez in reserve after fourth-choice centre back Giovanni Leoni suffered ligament damage last month and is out for the season.
