Podcast Summary: “Should we be worried about Liverpool this season?”

The Athletic FC Podcast
Date: August 30, 2025
Host: Ayob Akimolere
Guests: J.J. Bull & John McKenzie

Overview

This episode delves into Liverpool's start to the Premier League season under new head coach Arne Slot. After two wins in two games but continued defensive frailties, the panel examines the tactical transition from the Klopp era, the integration and performance of new arrivals (notably Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike), and how evolving roles—particularly Mo Salah's—might affect Liverpool’s attack and title defense.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Chaos vs. Control in Slot’s Liverpool (01:34–05:42)

• Slot’s Tactical Shift:
  Slot seeks added control compared to Klopp’s “organized chaos,” but evidence so far suggests some chaos remains in Liverpool’s play—especially in defensive transitions.
  • J.J. Bull: “Maybe the only slight difference...is that after we win the ball I like to go forward just as Jurgen liked it. But I sometimes like it when players try to keep the ball, not play the difficult ball, which is where the chaos comes.” (02:13)
• Role of the Players:
  New personnel (e.g., Jeremy Frimpong in for Trent Alexander-Arnold) introduce different dynamic; Frimpong is more outward, direct, and individualistic, impacting patterns that previously revolved around Trent and Salah combinations.
  • J.J. Bull: “The individuals in this situation—are they doing what Slot wants them to do and slow it down and control it...or is it because the players don’t have the skill set to do it?” (05:42)

2. Florian Wirtz: Usage and Adaptation (05:42–21:10)

• Wirtz’s Best Role
  • John McKenzie explains that Wirtz thrives as a “high volume final third player,” needing many touches in advanced areas to create space and orchestrate attacks.
  • “For me the answer [of where to play Wirtz] is in the final third. Because Florian Wirtz...likes to get a load of touches in the final third.” (07:22)
• Current Usage at Liverpool
  • Wirtz is dropping deeper and receiving fewer attacking-third touches compared to Leverkusen; he’s less integral in final actions, which partly explains his less noticeable impact so far.
  • “This attacking third number is basically half the amount of touches in the final third that he was getting for Leverkusen.” (13:48)
• Examples of Mismatched Playstyles:
  Various “Wirtz in space” sequences show him offering, but Liverpool often opts for rapid, wide attacks rather than involving him in construction and overloads.
  • John McKenzie: “What he’s really good at…is not the area where Liverpool are finding him in.” (11:08)
• Fan Expectation:
  • “Does it annoy you sometimes when we have fans and they’re like he was useless?…he’s not being used effectively in the way he was, perhaps, at Leverkusen?” – Ayob Akimolere (14:09)
  • John McKenzie: “Exactly.” (14:20)
• Key Takeaway:
  To unlock Wirtz, Liverpool must fine-tune their possession to find him in high-value zones and not bypass him in pursuit of direct chances.

3. Hugo Ekitike’s Fast Start: The Perfect Contextual Fit (23:41–29:00)

• Contrast with Wirtz
  While Wirtz’s game and Liverpool’s patterns aren’t fully aligned yet, Ekitike has slotted in seamlessly because Liverpool are generating the “fast break” & transition scenarios he thrived in at Frankfurt.
  • “What we’ve got in Ekitike I think is the opposite…taking a player from one context in which they’re thriving and putting them in another context which is similar.” – John McKenzie (23:45)
• Data:
  Last season, Liverpool led Europe’s top four leagues in fast break goals; Frankfurt (Ekitike’s former team) was second.
• Goal Breakdown:
  Ekitike’s and Salah’s last five open-play goals all come from open, transitional, “chaotic” situations with space to exploit.
  • “If you take a player from a team that they’re thriving in and you put them in your team doing similar things...then you shouldn’t be that surprised to see that player hitting the ground running.” (28:15)
• Mo Salah’s Role Evolving:
  Signs point to Liverpool beginning to diversify attacking threat, reducing reliance on Salah as he ages, though this is early and data is limited.

4. Mo Salah’s New Normal and Supporting Cast (29:00–35:40)

• Statistical Caveats:
  Salah has slightly fewer touches, dribbles, and shots, but sample size is small and opponents have played aggressive, man-marking systems.
• Structural Shifts:
  Traditional wide triangles (Salah + right back + midfielder) are less frequent, shifting to more central combinations thanks to new personnel (Frimpong, Wirtz, Ekitike).
  • “They’ve traditionally built with wide triangles…they’re now playing kind of through the middle with a striker who’s running in behind.” – J.J. Bull (29:14)
• Attacking Variety
  Introduction of Ekitike gives Liverpool a true nine, new centrality, and makes their approach less predictable, easing pressure on Salah and providing more options.
  • “It’s important to diversify your threat…If all your threat is coming through one player, they can double up on that player and it creates space elsewhere.” – John McKenzie (34:33)
• Rest Defense Concerns:
  The panel notes defensive transitions remain vulnerable, especially with more advanced fullbacks, fewer holding midfielders, and added attacking risk.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Have faith in Wirtz. Find Wirtz in space. Get the T-shirt.” – Ayob Akimolere (21:10)
• “Wirzing. He’s in space.” – *Ayob Akimolere coining the term “Wirzing” for Wirtz’s spatial finding habit (18:24–18:26)
• “If you take a player from a team they’re thriving in and you put them in your team doing similar things...you shouldn’t be that surprised to see that player hitting the ground running.” – John McKenzie (28:15)
• “They’re moving on from what they were. They are doing that and that will take a little time to get the chemistry right...if consistent things do happen that cause those issues...then you start wondering whether they are able to defend their title” – J.J. Bull (35:05)
• “Is it a Szoboszlai assist or a Salah assist?” (on Rio Igomo’s goal) – Ayob Akimolere (35:28)
• “Yes, we’ll leave it there.” – John McKenzie (35:37)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:34–05:42] – Klopp’s chaos vs. Slot’s control; the effect of player changes
• [05:42–21:10] – Florian Wirtz’s fit at Liverpool, tactical breakdown, usage data, fan expectations
• [23:41–29:00] – Hugo Ekitike’s adaptation, Liverpool’s attacking structure, Mo Salah’s shifting role
• [29:00–35:40] – Salah’s influence, formation changes, new threats, chemistry-building
• [35:28–35:37] – Light-hearted debate on Rio Igomo’s goal assist

Conclusions

• Slot’s Liverpool is in flux. They are balancing between the high-speed directness of Klopp and a desire for more control, but key positions (like Alexander-Arnold’s previous role) and new signings have shifted team dynamics.
• Integration of new signings varies: Ekitike fits Liverpool’s current attacking blueprint almost perfectly, while fully harnessing Wirtz’s talent will require tactical evolution.
• Early days, but adaptability will be crucial: The attacking mix is growing more versatile but fixing defensive transitions and ensuring stars like Wirtz are optimized will be key if Liverpool are to defend the title.

This summary captures the core tactical and player dynamics discussed on the episode, highlighting Liverpool’s evolution and the nuanced challenges of utilizing new signings in a shifting football identity.