An examination of Arne Slot's reasoning for Liverpool's struggles this season reveals a mix of missed opportunities, injuries, and contentious VAR decisions. The Reds' inability to capitalize on scoring chances has been a recurring theme, with the team notching 1.92 Expected Goals against Paris St-Germain but failing to find the net. Slot's concerns are valid, particularly in the Champions League, where Liverpool has underperformed significantly. However, their Premier League goals total is only 0.65 below their xG total, which is not the worst differential among the teams.
The big chances missed have been costly, with Liverpool converting only 27 of 86 clear-cut openings in the top flight. The absence of key players due to injuries, including Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike, has further complicated matters. Slot has also expressed frustration with the frequency of unfavorable VAR decisions, citing several instances where the officials' calls have gone against his team. Despite these challenges, Slot remains optimistic about the team's future, given the quality of young players they have brought in.
The pressure is on to secure a top-five finish in the league and qualify for the Champions League next season.