Liverpool's Defensive Woes and Tactical Muddling Leave Slot Under Fire as Alonso Waits in the Wings

The frustration is mounting at Anfield. Liverpool's unbeaten streak has masked deeper problems—a team that, for all their points on the board, rarely looks genuinely commanding. Slot's side huffed and puffed through another unconvincing Premier League display against Bournemouth, a performance that had supporters screaming at their screens.

The Reds remain comfortable favourites for a top-four finish and still have Champions League knockout football to look forward to this week, along with an FA Cup campaign. Yet for some observers, the timing now feels right for a managerial change—specifically, one that would bring Xabi Alonso to the club.

The argument goes that with Liverpool guaranteed European football and the immediate risk of disruption considerably reduced, the stars have aligned. Alonso is available. The squad, though showing cracks, remains capable of competing. Missing this moment, some believe, would represent a significant missed opportunity for the club's hierarchy, regardless of whether the Reds beat their next opponent.

The Tactical Puzzle

Much of the blame has fallen on Slot's recent tactical choices. After deploying a 4-2-2-2 formation to good effect in Marseille, he elected to use the same system against Bournemouth—but with Luis Gakpo in the lineup, a player who lacks the pace and dribbling ability to thrive in such a setup. Gakpo's game revolves around cutting inside and shooting, a move that works when opponents are unprepared but becomes predictable against Premier League defences.

Last season, Gakpo benefited enormously from the system's novelty, Mohamed Salah's brilliant form, and the overload down the right flank that left him unmarked on the left. He had Díaz pressing and dragging defences out of shape. Now, without those supporting factors, he looks a square peg in a round hole.

Florian Wirtz, meanwhile, has drawn particular criticism for his tendency to overcomplicate matters. The young German is viewed as a talent with genuine potential, yet he repeatedly "overcooks it"—choosing the perfect pass or shot when a more direct approach would yield better results. Some have joked that Szoboszlai appears to be the only Liverpool player permitted to actually attempt a shot.

Defensive Fragility

The underlying issue remains Liverpool's defensive vulnerabilities. Even if the champions-elect don't possess the league's lowest goals-against record, they typically rank among the best. Liverpool does not. Slot has had to navigate injuries and integrate new signings that didn't immediately fit the old system, yet other managers have faced similar challenges.

The squad has aged in place, with Jota, Díaz, and Alexander-Arnold all departing in their prime. Replacements have been brought in, but a genuine evolution—not just tinkering—is required. Contrast this with Arsenal's approach under Mikel Arteta: the Gunners have cleverly weaponised set pieces, maintained a tight defensive shape even amid injury chaos, and still have years to reach the heights Liverpool once occupied.

The Long Throws and Other Irritants

Beyond the big-picture tactical concerns, smaller details have also frustrated supporters. Liverpool's reintroduction of long throws against Bournemouth consumed vast swathes of added time, with some questioning whether the technique itself is being properly policed. There were also suggestions that throw-in protocol wasn't being enforced correctly, with feet occasionally positioned on or over the line—a potential foul throw that officials appeared to overlook.

Patience Wearing Thin

Not everyone is calling for Slot's head immediately. Some supporters argue that journalists and pundits are too quick to demand managerial change, and that more patience is warranted. Others point fingers at the high earners—Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah chief among them—for not delivering a winning performance by half-time.

Yet the consensus is clear: something must shift. Whether Slot can identify and correct the path forward, or whether FSG will finally act, remains to be seen. The owners, typically reluctant to enter the managerial merry-go-round, splashed considerable funds last summer in departure from their usual mode. Perhaps that willingness to spend will extend to a change in the dugout if results and performances don't improve.