"Last year's runaway Premier League Player of the Season, Mo Salah - a human being I hold in such high regard that I named my labrador after him - has lost his mojo. Five goals in all comps this season. Prized summer signing Alexander Isak can't get going for reasons ranging from service to fitness. When left winger Cody Gakpo isn't cutting in from the left and blazing the ball over the bar with his right, he's missing sitters at pivotal moments."
"Our attack is undoubtedly a problem. But it's not the problem. Say it with me. Defense wins championships. Cringe, I know. It's a refrain so infused with dad energy that I feel wrong sitting at a desk instead of in a La-Z-Boy as I type this. But watching us pick the ball out of our own net 35 times in 22 games has unearthed the wisdom of those three words for me."
Attack has underperformed: Mohamed Salah has five goals in all competitions, Alexander Isak struggles with service and fitness, Cody Gakpo misses key chances, Hugo Ekitike declined after a sending-off, and Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota departures reduced attacking continuity. Defense has deteriorated sharply, conceding 35 goals in 22 games (1.59 per game) versus 15 in 22 last season (0.68 per game) and 55 in 56 overall last season. Summer transfers replaced Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jarell Quansah and Kostas Tsimkas with Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Giovanni Leoni, initiating a transition that has impacted defensive stability.
Read at Rush The Kop
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