I’ve held off commenting here as I’ve not really seen enough games to form a super concise analysis (based on the idea that I actually could in the first place), but from the little I’ve seen we are very open in the channels between the central defenders and full backs, especially if we lose possession high up.
So two solutions, you get the full backs closer to the central defenders or you get a midfielder to plug the hole.
That’s all.
what you see is true, but unfortunately, you only see the tip of the iceberg…
That was surely me, miserable sod that I am… 
We also had more possession. If you have less possession you need to run more.
If everything goes to plan, I’d agree with you. The team which has less possession will run more. But when you are losing the game, even with much possession, shouldn’t the forwards, full backs and midfielders be required to make a bigger effort and to make more runs forward? That should reflect on the stats. Yet, against Brentford for instance, we ran seven full kilometers less than the opposition, despite of getting behind early in the game.
Brendan Rogers has just resigned!!! 
That is exactly what I meant.
I am a bit tired of Arne talking about fine margins. This is the Premier League. With limited exceptions, matches are always down to fine margins.
Yes, it is true that we could have won all five of these losses with some slightly better luck. But we could have also lost by larger margins with slightly better luck for the opponent.
The issue to me isn’t losing because Cody hits the post three times, or because of soft pens on Szobo or Virg, or because Wirtz or Isak miss sitters.
It’s that the same issues are popping up again and again. We’re too open. We’re terrible at managing set pieces. And our attack hasn’t settled on a defined structure because Slot seemingly hasn’t figured out yet how to deploy everyone in the most effective way.
If we were correcting those issues but then still lost 2-1 because of a soft pen or a bad miss, I’d shrug my shoulders and say “on to the next one!” But that isn’t what’s been happening.
If the FB’ get closer then you are then inviting more crosses or their widemen penetrating the penalty area, which happened a lot when Robbo came on for Kerkez v Chelsea.
For me the midfielders need to be switched on and to track the midfield runner or our widemen if it is the fullback, which doesn’t happen on our right.
Yes, you get narrower you expect them to find that space which gives you a different problem to deal with.
The alternative as I said was to get the midfield to plug those channels. That can be done in a number of ways including a formation switch to 4-2-3-1.
I havent mentioned the opposition midfield runners as based on what I’ve seen it is their forwards getting behind our defensive line from a long ball from their defense, deep lying midfield.
We have been open to that inside channel runner from both midfielders and full backs, when we are deeper and relative compact, but as you said we are open there in transition.
Chelsea’s winner was Cucurella busting through an no one tracked him.
It isn’t so much a shape issue more that we don’t track the runner, if it is a shape issue, then 3 at the back solves both the problems.
I do think in transition both Ibou and Virg need to be more switched on and proactive not reactive.
Romano put out a video, touching on a number of topics, including Liverpool and Slot.
From what he said, apparently the club are fully behind Arne and believe him to be the best man to turn this around.
Well, there we land then.
Oh, Fab. I could have told you that. The club is going to circle the wagons around Slot and defend him publicly…until they decide to sack him (if ever). Until that happens, you won’t hear anything but praise from management.
I think he absolutely is Liverpool standard if given freedom to play his game. Time will tell
I’m pretty sure nobody is blocking Bradley having enough freedom. It’s also him who needs to find a bit more stability in his individual performance and I mean in both directions.
So far he has earned himself a few years here and the trust in his potential to be more than a good backup to Trent, as he was for a short while.
Now, he has to prove he can stay fit for longer periods and also play with quality and consistently.
It’s a totally different task now as you have to prove you can be Liverpool’s first choice RB for 40-50 games or so.
Him, Frimpong or someone else. It’s nothing new.
It’s not always the same with these things.
It seems there is a fair amount of consensus over the diamond formation, as the way to get our attacking talent on the pitch, while also giving us a bit more solidity than we’ve been showing.
The point is well made that having a suitable formation for the players at your disposal is only part of it. Obviously there is much more to it than that, but to my mind, it gives us a good start to build on.
After that we have to do all the work - run, pass well, press, form good understandings and partnerships all over the pitch, take personal responsibility to win duels - including headers from long throws, take our chances, defend well, etc.
I’m backing Slot to turn this around. He will be helped in that when the new talent starts to find its groove. Apart from Ekitike, they have all been short of expectations so far, for various reasons.
Only way the diamond works for me is if Grav slots in as a 3rd centre back in build up, to allow our full backs to get forward.
Otherwise we are open up to quick counters both through the middle and in behind our fullbacks.
100% agree. Been saying as much for a while now, including post 2372 above.
Stamina is a main attribute of the fullbacks we have. Let them get up and down the flank and offer width to the diamond. If it breaks down and they are caught on the wrong side of the ball, Grav slots in as a third CB, and two midfielders are also in front of that defensive three. It should be a lot more solid than what we’ve been seeing. I think it’s the key to better balance.
Then play Wirtz as a 10 behind two strikers. Keep going with that until they all get on the same wavelength, and I feel we won’t look back.