Slow play after defensive lapses, attacking into the penalty area but repeatedly choosing to pass... passing... passing, losing rhythm and not shooting himself.
This is something you can see in many of Liverpool's Premier League games this season.
Including the latest match away at Bournemouth, a team that recently lost star player Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City (this season, Semenyo has scored 10 Premier League goals plus three assists for Bournemouth, nearly matching his entire previous season's output).
When attacking... Mohamed Salah is not the same Mohamed as before, if this is the Mohamed of this season.
A right-footed shot attempt with his weaker foot can be overlooked, but a golden chance—breaking free with only the opposing goalkeeper ahead—he chose not to shoot himself, instead passing to Cody Gakpo—only for the pass to be weak and backward (Sadio Mane would have smiled seeing this clip).
On defense... Captain Virgil van Dijk is also not the VVD of old; his line checks and clearances contain huge errors.
When conceding the first goal, Joe Gomez was also lost; at halftime, left-back Milos Kerkez was replaced after being easily breached as usual, and after nearly an hour, right-back Jeremy Frimpong was also taken off. Losing three defenders in the backline is definitely abnormal.
Now, with the reigning champions fallen to sixth place, many young Liverpool fans worry about securing a top-four spot (and Champions League qualification next season). It’s clear that after director of football Richard Hughes led the recruitment, the heavy spending unprecedented in scale has not addressed the issues, with only Hugo Ekitike somewhat delivering.
Even if players wanted to leave, losing Luis Diaz undeniably affected the team and Mohamed Salah's play, lacking a fierce dribbler to create space.
Failure to find a Diaz replacement is one issue. Another is the fans’ calls for national-level midfielders and center-backs ready to play immediately, which have not materialized.
There’s a major mistake in the defense—focusing on the wrong targets—failing to sign Marc Guéhi, the England international center-back from Crystal Palace, or other high-grade center-backs. Last summer, the team was in a position to attract players easily, being champions... and look, Guéhi debuted well for Manchester City as expected. Why is it that when Arsenal or City sign players, many don’t need time to adjust?
Ultimately, Arne Slot must take full responsibility. His interviews show a change from the calmness of his first season. Even if it’s true that opponents play deep or use long balls and throw-ins, this is not new, and he must find solutions.
If asked when Arne Slot will be sacked, or as some passionate Liverpool fans joke among themselves, "When will he be sacked?"
Even though the owners and board don’t want to sack him easily, remember another dream coach and former Liverpool player, Xabi Alonso, is currently unemployed.
Returning home to work alongside Florian Wirtz and Frimpong, who once lifted the Bundesliga trophy together, is something most Liverpool fans, Thai and international, hope will happen soon.
When will Slot's fate be sealed?
At this rate, it probably won’t last until the end of the season!
Little Joe