The Reason Salah's Defensive Duties Has Become a 'Little Issue' for Liverpool

It seems that Mohamed Salah's lack of defensive contributions is emerging as a slight problem for Liverpool, especially when facing stronger teams.

It's understandable if coach the Liverpool boss has directed Salah not to track back, because staying high on the right side during transitions has made him one of the global most dangerous strikers.

But, the players behind him are not providing adequate defensive support, causing numerous issues for whoever has been at the right defensive position this season.

Whether it's Jeremie Frimpong or another player, they end up in difficulty due to facing a numerical disadvantage on their side.

It proved a clear vulnerability in the recent match, leading to the opponent's decisive goal – and the worry is that more teams will smartly exploit this same area.

{'Salah Is Given License to Skip Defensive Duties'

Primarily, it's hard to believe that Slot is telling Salah to track back and support his defender.

If he had been instructed to mark the opposition's defender Marc Cucurella, then this was very evident he did not comply, and the coach would not accept that.

Rather, Slot is granting Salah the liberty to concentrate exclusively on attacking play, which is fine – we've seen many examples of other teams adopting comparable tactics, with individuals who choose to save their stamina for forward moves.

Yes, there are still certain situations in a game when you are conceding chances and one might feel compelled to track back.

It's known he can do it, since when Liverpool won at Manchester City last season, his work rate was among the best observed from him.

However, he must have been instructed to perform that role on that day, which is why I don't blame him if he has been told to remain advanced.

'The Real Problem Is How Liverpool Are Structured Behind Salah'

The issue with Salah is more about how Liverpool are organized in defensive support, especially when playing stronger teams.

The other players need to provide better and quicker assistance, because it felt like Chelsea were moving the ball forward and subsequently switching it to their left side, because that's where the gap was.

If a their central player moved wide belatedly – whether it be Alexis Mac Allister – then he left openings in the middle ahead of the back line because Liverpool were losing a player from the center.

All this is less critical when facing opponents that you dominate possession against – as we've seen Liverpool past success playing this way – but they must improve as the elite teams will capitalize.

'Liverpool Are Losing Control of Matches'

It is not as if Salah has altered his duties this season, but because he is failing to find the net in attack, maybe the defensive side of his game is more noticeable.

I'm not overly worried about his current performance, as he will improve – he always does – in terms of his goal scoring.

He got into some excellent situations versus Chelsea but perhaps shot when he should have passed, and the opposite, but those opportunities will continue and the goals will follow.

The biggest worry with the team currently is their reduced command in games compared to last season.

This has been a frustrating week for them, of course, not just to lose multiple matches in a row in the Premier League and European competition but because the performance levels have fallen below what we expect.

We must consider extenuating circumstances, of course, with the numerous personnel changes in the off-season and the several of players who missed preparatory training, but previously Slot's side appeared so effective at managing games and that is not the situation.

It seemed like their organization was sound, and Slot's more possession-based style provided greater command.

This was something that observers instantly saw he had introduced to the team, in contrast to what it was like under previous management.

Now, however, I watch them and it looks a bit chaotic. The last half-hour of the Chelsea match was hectic it felt like a cup tie – they had opportunities to secure victory, but gave away many opportunities too, which is why they ended up losing.

{How Can Slot Address The Team's Problems?

There are a several aspects that are not right about the club, and I keep seeing them giving the ball away, but this is not an unresolvable scenario.

Just because Liverpool have some new additions – and varied profiles too – they don't need to change their playing style. They simply require to get back to being a bit more patient and composed.

The positive news is they are only one point behind table-toppers the front-runners and have opportunity to fix the things that are underperforming.

Fitness aspect they are missing will improve because the individuals who did not have a full training camp, like key attackers and defenders, will attain optimal condition shortly.

Developing effective understanding on the pitch always takes time too, be it between the right-back and the forward or additional key pairings.

So, there is no need to overreact. It feels like at the moment in the top flight, and not just with this team but with all teams, you are only one week away from 'crisis' and criticism.

The truth is what has happened to them this week will likely occur at some point to Arsenal and Manchester City this season.

I had not actually believed City would be in the title race, but if a key attacker stays this hungry and healthy they will compete.

Arsenal, defensively, look superb again and, in general, after several matches they seem very assured in their performances across the pitch – it looks like a continuation of their previous form, with an extra dose of talent and depth.

With Liverpool it seems more of a rebuild at present. But although there is ongoing work to do for them to establish the right balance and partnerships, it is expected everyone is anticipating them to progress as the season advances.