Arne Slot and Defensive Resilience: Can Liverpool Plug Their Leaks Before Europe?

Liverpool’s first months under Arne Slot have been a study in contrasts. The Dutchman has injected attacking verve and tactical flexibility, but questions around defensive solidity continue to cloud the narrative. After a 2–1 loss to Crystal Palace and many nervy late moments this season, much of the criticism has fallen on new full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez. Slot, however, insists the issue runs deeper than two summer signings.Slot Defends His Full-Backs — But Emphasizes Collective Responsibility

Slot Defends His Full-Backs — But Emphasizes Collective Responsibility

Since taking charge, Slot has had to address criticism aimed at his summer signings, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez. In a press conference last week, Slot urged observers to “look into more details” rather than simply blame his full-backs for defensive errors (The Guardian, 2025).

Slot emphasized that defensive lapses are rarely the result of a single player’s mistake. Instead, they often reflect structural issues: how the team transitions between attack and defense, spacing between lines, and coordination during set-piece situations. This framing is important. While Frimpong and Kerkez are new, the evidence suggests that Liverpool’s struggles are symptomatic of broader systemic adjustments under Slot.

The Full-Back Overhaul

Liverpool’s full-back positions have been overhauled in the summer.

• Jeremie Frimpong arrived from Bayer Leverkusen as a dynamic right-back, known for his dribbling and pace. His attacking instinct gives Liverpool width and penetration, but integrating that into a defensively disciplined system is still a work in progress.
• Milos Kerkez, signed from Bournemouth, provides energy and attacking support down the left flank. Young and still acclimating, Kerkez has been part of a backline adapting to Slot’s tactical demands.

Early matches suggest that while these players add attacking options, the team occasionally leaves gaps during transitions — particularly when the first defensive line is bypassed. Slot has stressed patience, noting that the full-backs’ adaptation is part of a wider structural learning curve.

Set-Piece Vulnerabilities

Perhaps the most pressing defensive concern has been set-piece defending. Liverpool have conceded four goals from set pieces in the Premier League this season alone (The Guardian, 2025), including both goals in their 2–1 loss to Crystal Palace (Reuters, 2025).

Set pieces have long been a measure of defensive organization. Errors here often reflect issues in marking assignments, communication, and positioning. Slot has publicly acknowledged this weakness, signaling that it is a priority in training sessions ahead of European competition.

Tactical Adaptation Under Slot

Slot’s philosophy combines possession-oriented build-up with selective pressing. While reminiscent of Jürgen Klopp’s principles, it also introduces differences. High lines and possession-based play can expose defenders if pressing triggers fail.

Analysis of early matches shows:

• Liverpool occasionally allow transitional spaces behind the midfield line when possession is lost in advanced areas.
• Centre-backs are sometimes required to cover wider spaces when full-backs push forward, highlighting the need for compact spacing between defensive lines.
• Set-piece defending has not yet been fully synchronized, particularly when younger players rotate in.

Slot’s challenge is to preserve the attacking freedom of his full-backs while ensuring that defensive responsibilities are systematically reinforced.

Historical Context: Liverpool and Defensive Transitions

Historically, Liverpool’s defensive strength has relied on a combination of tactical organization and individual brilliance. Under Klopp, the high-line press minimized exposure, while Virgil van Dijk’s aerial dominance provided a safeguard at the back.

Early indications under Slot show that while attacking transitions have improved, defensive cohesion has yet to reach the same reliability. The backline occasionally looks stretched in quick counterattacks or against well-rehearsed set plays — a problem amplified when key defenders are rotated or not at peak match fitness.

Looking Ahead: Europe as the Ultimate Test

Liverpool travel to Istanbul to face Galatasaray in the Champions League; a match that promises to highlight both strengths and weaknesses. The Turkish side is known for its physicality, set-piece prowess, and passionate home support.

For Slot, this game is more than just a group-stage fixture. It is a litmus test of his defensive structure:

• Can full-backs contribute to attacks without compromising positional integrity?
• Will centre-backs and midfielders maintain compact lines to prevent transitional vulnerabilities?
• Can the team correct set-piece lapses in training and implement them effectively under match pressure?

Early signs suggest that the answers to these questions will define Liverpool’s European campaign.

Patience, Pressure, and Potential

Arne Slot’s Liverpool is a work in progress. Defenders like Frimpong and Kerkez are adjusting to a new system, set-piece organization needs fine-tuning, and tactical cohesion remains an ongoing project. Yet the early glimpses of attacking innovation suggest a team capable of competing at the highest levels.

The next few weeks, beginning in Istanbul, will reveal whether Liverpool can translate potential into consistency. For fans, the hope is clear: that defensive fragilities are temporary hurdles, and that Slot’s team emerges as both a thrilling attacking force and a resilient defensive unit — ready to sustain a deep European run.