"Liverpool have looked defensively shaky all season. Having been the team of control in the last campaign, making the unremarkable 2-0 win a trademark, they have become the side of the late winner, clinching games this season in the 88th, 94th, 100th, 83rd, 95th, 92nd and 85th minutes. That was never going to be sustainable, but the question was whether general performances would improve, or whether the late strikes would dry up."
"The 4-2-3-1 shape with Florian Wirtz playing centrally behind a striker was gone this weekend at Crystal Palace, with a return to the 4-3-3 of last season and Wirtz deployed on the left. That had seemed to add stability when it was used in the second half against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, the Ryan Gravenberch Alexis Mac Allister Dominik Szoboszlai trio of last season returned to their positions."
"This past weekend, though, did feel like one where many of the prevailing narratives crystalised as Arsenal dug deep to win the sort of game they've become used to losing, Liverpool's defensive shortcomings were exposed as they lost for the first time this campaign, Manchester City swept aside lesser opposition in the manner of old and Chelsea fell apart again."
Recent matches crystallised several trends: Arsenal showed resilience to win tight games, Liverpool's defence was exposed, Manchester City dominated weaker opponents, and Chelsea collapsed again. Liverpool's reliance on late winners has been frequent this season and is unsustainable. A switch from a 4-2-3-1 with Florian Wirtz centrally to a return to 4-3-3 with Wirtz on the left restored the Gravenberch–Mac Allister–Szoboszlai midfield but did not cure defensive frailties. Crystal Palace repeatedly exploited Liverpool's openness before half-time, suggesting the squad still lacks a specialist defensive midfielder. Trent Alexander-Arnold's inverting role may add central security, but issues persist.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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