An examination of Arne Slot's reasoning behind Liverpool's struggles this season reveals a mix of missed opportunities, injuries, and VAR decisions. Following the Reds' Champions League exit to Paris St-Germain, Slot lamented the team's lack of clinical edge, citing the failure to capitalize on numerous chances.
This season, Liverpool has underperformed in terms of Expected Goals, particularly in the Champions League, where they scored 24 goals from 27.8xG. However, their Premier League performance tells a different story, with a goals total only 0.65 below their xG total.
The missed big chances are a significant concern, with Liverpool converting only 27 of 86 clear-cut openings in the top flight. Injuries to key players like Alexander Isak, who was supposed to be a major goalscorer, have also hindered the team's progress.
Slot's plan to field a new-look attack featuring Isak, Florian Wirtz, and Hugo Ekitike has been disrupted by injuries, with the trio playing together for only 115 minutes this season. The Dutchman has also expressed frustration with VAR decisions, which he believes have consistently gone against his team. Despite these challenges, Slot remains optimistic about the team's future, citing the quality of young players like Ryan Gravenberch, Ekitike, Wirtz, and Milos Kerkez.
With six games left in the Premier League campaign, Slot needs to secure a top-five finish to guarantee a Champions League spot for next season.