Danny Murphy appeals to Arne Slot to give Federico Chiesa a starting berth

Seven games into the season, and Liverpool have a mini crisis on their hands. Despite winning their first five games, the defending champions have now lost two in a row in the league (and three in all competitions). As a result, they relinquished their position at the top of the table to Arsenal before the current international break.

Arne Slot’s playing style and squad selection have come under fire, and we sat down to discuss that and more with ex-Liverpool star Danny Murphy.

The factors behind Liverpool’s lacklustre start

In Murphy’s view, the issues stem from a lack of control being exerted in games, which is a far cry from how they played last season.

"The obvious thing is a lack of control and composure in a lot of games including the ones they've won which is quite unusual because one of the strengths of Liverpool last season was that. The more controlled element of their play, the ability to see out games and dominate possession more."

Along with the integration of new players, Murphy singles out Ibrahima Konate’s drop in performances which, coupled with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure, has affected Liverpool’s build-up play.

"So that's been a concern. I think there's a few factors why. Obviously there's more new players at Liverpool than probably they would have wanted. Ideally you don't want five or six players coming in one window because then you're looking at having to build not only relationships on the pitch but get those players on board with what the manager wants from them."

"So that's always something that takes a bit of time. I also think there's a little bit of a problem when we're playing out from the back at times because Konate's confidence is low. We can see that. He's set the bar really high for himself, he was wonderful last season, let's not forget that. But he looks a bit nervy on the ball at times, making mistakes, giving the ball away."

"We've lost arguably the best passing full-back in Europe which inevitably is going to have some impact because one of Trent's strengths of course was wonderful composure on the ball."

The next drawback that Murphy notes is that some of the starters have not had proper pre-seasons. He also adds that Diogo Jota’s untimely death has a role to play here, as it would have interrupted the intensity of training sessions at the club.

"The physical aspect of the team, when you watch them, more than a few look below their levels physically. Let's take into consideration four or five players not having a full pre-season - Mac Allister, Bradley, Ekitike, Isak. I think there's one or two more."

"This mixed in with the awful tragedy of Diogo Jota and the interruption of pre-season that would cause because let's make no bones about it, during that period, they would not be training at a high intensity. There's the mental side of that trauma as well. I'm not saying that's the only thing, I'm talking about lots of factors here."

"So I think one of the issues is the mistakes and lack of composure playing out from the back. But the intensity of Liverpool's press and tenacity of winning the ball back has dropped. Galatasaray was a great example of that. The players aren't tenacious like they were last season."

Murphy doesn’t see these issues as unfixable, pointing to the wins against Arsenal and Atletico Madrid as examples where Liverpool optimised their game. After all, they are still priced at 11/4 to win the Premier League, and you can use our bet365 bonus code if you believe that the Reds can turn things around.

"I'm not panicking about it. I don't think it's unfixable. I think Arne Slot is trying to work out his best team. Who complements who well, for which games. There's different types of games, some where you're dominating the ball at home, or like the one against Arsenal where they had to be more structured and composed, which they did well in my opinion. People forget that performance, and the one against Atletico Madrid who beat Real Madrid convincingly."

Federico Chiesa deserves a run in the team ahead of underwhelming Gakpo

Arne Slot has also been criticised for his management of Federico Chiesa despite the Italian’s form and performances. The Italian has been a clutch performer this season, scoring a last-minute winner against Bournemouth. He also found the net in Liverpool’s loss to Crystal Palace and also provided two assists in the League Cup.

Despite the heroics, Chiesa has struggled to get minutes, with the likes of Cody Gakpo, Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz being preferred on the left.

Murphy thinks that Chiesa deserves a proper run in the starting eleven ahead of Gakpo, who has struggled to impress.

“Well I think he’s stuck with Gakpo because of his performances last season and he knows that he can rely on Gakpo without the ball but I think Gakpo has been underwhelming. He looks a bit short of confidence and he’s been giving the ball away.”

“I know he scored against Chelsea but his performance was nowhere near to the levels needed and that he’s shown last season. Based on the games I’ve watched and not the online discourse of Liverpool fans, I would like to see Chiesa given a chance on the left side. I actually agree with Liverpool supporters online in that sense. Whenever he’s come on, he’s looked like a goal threat and full of confidence.”

“Also, no one can deny his work ethic without the ball. His end product from crosses to shots on target and getting in dangerous positions has been pretty phenomenal. I’m surprised we haven’t seen more of him to be honest.”

Murphy continues by saying that starting Chiesa isn’t a risk because if he doesn’t perform, he can go back to being an impact sub. While he admits he’s speaking from an outsider’s view, he urges Slot to give Chiesa the chance to make an impact as a starter.

“The only thing I’d say in defence of the manager is in training certain things come to the fore more than snippets will on a match day and he’s watching them train so you have to put faith in the manager. I do think Chiesa needs a run in the team though.”

“If you give him a run of games and he doesn’t have the same impact, it might just be that he’s better off the bench. At a lot of clubs some players are just better off the bench. When coming off the bench players feel as though they’ve got nothing to lose and play free. I’ve done it myself. You’re angry and annoyed and you play with some freedom.. When starting there’s pressure because you feel as though you’ve got to play well. “

“Chiesa hasn’t been given that chance yet and I’d be amazed if he isn’t in the coming weeks. The levels he’s shown in his all around game form the goals, to the physicality and determination is something he deserves recognition for.

Murphy concludes his analysis of Chiesa by saying that among all Liverpool players, he’s the one who can fill in the hole left by Luis Diaz’s departure to Bayern Munich.

“And you could argue there’s definitely been a hole left by Diaz. I understand why they sold him. It’s business.”

“But Diaz gave Liverpool a real tenacity in the press like Mane did. He’s similar in terms of the work ethic off the ball and Chiesa has that.”

Slot is realising how hard it is to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s transfer to Real Madrid was the biggest story for Liverpool last season and they moved to replace him with Jeremie Frimpong, with Conor Bradley being a rotation option.

So far, Slot is still trying to figure out his best option for that position. Both Frimpong and Bradley have had their hits and misses, and Dominik Szoboszlai has also played there as an injury cover.

What is evident is that Liverpool are missing Trent Alexander-Arnold’s skills and ball progression ability from the right, and Murphy agrees with that assessment. He adds that Frimpong’s inconsistency and Bradley’s lack of match fitness haven’t helped.

“It’s impossible to not miss Trent’s passing and composure on the ball and passing ability. That’s what makes him unique. He has a wonderful football brain which means whether he gets on the ball in the inverted role or at right back, he can see passes that most people can’t see so you inevitably miss that.”

“I actually think Frimpong started well and then he had a difficult evening against Atletico. I think Slot saw that and thought maybe I need Bradley or Szoboszlai but I think that’s a mistake. Sometimes players need to just get a bad game out of their system and move onto the next game by playing. I think Frimpong needs to get back in and keep improving.”

“With Conor Bradley he’s a young talent and he missed most of pre-season. So, he’s getting fit on the job which isn’t easy to do at Liverpool and the level they are at. I’ve got no concerns about him either.”

Murphy also explains that the right-back position is not being helped by the changes in Liverpool’s midfield, and the instructions given to Mohamed Salah not to track back.

“The other issue for anyone playing at right back for the club is the cover we used to have on that side of the pitch which last season was Gravenberch and it hasn’t been the same. Liverpool haven’t adapted as well when teams get out to our left hand side which was highlighted in the Chelsea game. It was an obvious ploy from Chelsea and any full back Liverpool use will need help when up against high quality wingers.”

“If you’re going to allow Salah the freedom to not track back which I understand to a degree because when you win the ball you’ve got him on transition in attack who happens to be the best goalscorer Liverpool have, then the midfield has to be quicker at adapting and getting out to the full back area.”

“Too many times in the last week on the right side, the right back has been isolated. It’s something that needs work on the training ground. Or we tell Salah that he's got to do his defending to get the balance right and be harder to beat. It’s not like he’s incapable of doing the running. At the moment, with United next I would be saying to him he’s got to do his work and help Liverpool be a bit harder to beat. They’ve shown they can do it against Arsenal for example.”

Håland is single-handedly making City a contender, but Arsenal are my favourites

Before the season started, Murphy, like many others, had predicted a two-way race between Liverpool and Arsenal. Erling Håland’s electrifying start to the season has changed his view.

"I think the way Håland has started the season has changed the title race narrative. Most people including me thought that Liverpool and Arsenal would probably fight it out again. But Håland looks like he has a point to prove. He looks fit, he looks hungry, he looks happy."

"And when you've got the best goalscorer, arguably, on the planet, playing for you then that gives you an edge in nearly every game you play. I know there's other problems that need sorting out for them, in certain defensive areas and now Rodri's fitness."

"But when Håland plays like this and he's got this kind of energy in his game, it is very hard to stop him. If they get him enough of the ball, he's going to keep on scoring goals because he's so good."

"It's not just his goalscoring at the start of this season that's been so impressive. It's been the all-round part of his game. You're talking about link-up, the defensive work, set plays in his own box and the press. Everything about him looks like he's on top of his game. That for me changes my view a little bit because if he stays there there's no reason why they can't keep winning games."

"This is a thing in football isn't it. We have our opinions at the start of the season when teams are making transfers and we don't know how players are going to adapt to new surroundings. We think we know. Seven games in, you're looking at it and going, 'actually this could change'."

Despite Håland’s goalscoring exploits, Murphy has marked Arsenal as early favourites thanks to their quality squad depth. Despite having a player injured in six of their seven games, the Gunners have not lost a step, and that is why Murphy thinks they head into the international break as favourites for the title.

"Overall, my impression of the first seven games is that Arsenal are a real proposition. They still have that wonderful solidity and defensive balance but they've added this sprinkling of stardust as well in forward areas. When Saka hasn't played, when Ødegaard's been injured on more than one occasion, there's no panic. There's not even much talk about it. It's like, don't worry, we're fine. We've got Madueke, we've got Eze, we've got whoever it may be that comes in."

"You look at Arsenal really and I don't see an area of the pitch where they're not covered with real high quality. My opinion has shifted a bit towards Arsenal, unfortunately."

Read more as Rafael da Silva questions Manchester United's poor start to the season