These were the last words he said…

It’s been asked over and over again, almost to the point where you feel like screaming the answer in people’s faces. ‘How are you going to play them both? It’s one or the other!’.

It’s been no secret that Liverpool have struggled to lock down a settled starting eleven this season in a system that accommodates most if not all of last season’s title winning side plus the new signings which arrived in the summer. If anything, it has been the complete opposite.

Given the tragic loss of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva in the summer, it could be said that regardless of the on field performance this season it was always going to be a struggle for the coaching staff and squad given the emotional toll the passing of Jota and Silva would have had and is no doubt still having on those who once shared a dressing room with the former.

Unfortunately for Slot, the ‘luck’ of the draw with injuries (so to speak) has just not been with him or the team this campaign. Owing to a non stop conveyor belt of fitness problems that have ranged from muscle issues to ACL’s to broken legs, the manager has found his options extremely thin on the ground at times and has not been shy about highlighting the issue in press conferences and post match interviews. The fact that Liverpool appeared to take such an extreme approach in the summer with incomings and outgoings which subsequently left them looking slightly short even with a fully fit squad has come back to bite them massively in their defence of the Premier League. From Alisson to Isak (and Endo who is the latest to suffer what appears to be a long term issue), their misfortune with injuries has arrived in such a fashion that it would be fair to label it a nightmare.

With that being said and the Premier League title having gone many weeks if not months ago, it doesn’t mean all other routes to silverware are off the table. Supporters around the globe will be encouraged by Liverpool’s output in Europe and some may even be confident of progressing deep into the Champions League this season. The PSV defeat at Anfield aside (one which we’d all gladly forget), Liverpool have seemed rather steady when facing teams from the continent and have taken wins against top opposition already in record holders Real Madrid, their city rivals Atletico and last years finalists Inter Milan. Something also worth mentioning is just because you’ve had an absolute howler of a result at home early in a European campaign doesn’t mean you can’t go on to claim glory. Just ask Real Madrid after their defeat at home to Sheriff in 2021 before going on to win the trophy vs non other than ourselves in Paris.

The above paints a picture of a somewhat problematic campaign which is still relatively deep in its troubles. Liverpool’s inconsistent season so far has hardly been fixed up to now given they’ve only won 2 league games this calendar year. There is a way out of this and even a path to further stocking the clubs bustling trophy cabinet however if Slot and his staff can come up with the right formula to fit the key men into the same completed puzzle and get them firing.

With the news emerging in the last 24 – 48 hours of Alexander Isak now beginning to take on some light ball work at the AXA, reds fans will be slightly buoyed by the fact that Britain’s record signing could be back in full training by late March if not April providing there are no set backs. Jeremy Frimpong is also edging towards a return and could be pivotal in the later stages of the season however a time frame has not been indicated for the injury he sustained vs Leverkusen.

With that in mind, what could Liverpool look like as they go in search of success as we head towards the business end of the campaign? Something the club’s fan base will agree on is the side has lacked fire power down either flank up to now. Cody Gakpo’s 7 goals in 34 games across all competitions this season are nowhere near the level required following Mo Salah’s drop off (7 goals in 27 games across all comps) and the sale of Luis Diaz. The once seemingly never ending supply of goals and assists from either wing for Liverpool has eluded them this season and the side have at times been found wanting badly in terms of creation and consistency in front of goal. With the high profile acquisitions made in the summer plus the level of goal scoring ability Liverpool already have in Salah, the answer looks to lie in a more unconventional two up front with one of the two dropping slightly deeper at times and making a concerted effort in defending when Liverpool are without the ball.

Truth be told, it shouldn’t come as a surprise. Liverpool spent over a combined £200m in the summer to obtain the services of Ekitike and Isak and have looked most solid this year in Europe when deploying a system that allows Slot to get 4 more central minded midfielders on the pitch and have a duo up top ahead of them. The most recent example of this was in France when Liverpool despatched of hosts Marseille in a comfortable 3-0 victory with Ekitike playing alongside Salah. Before that it was in Milan when they ended Inter’s 3 season long unbeaten run in Europe at the San Siro, starting the game with Ekitike and Isak.

The signs are there for everyone connected with the club to see. Two elite level forwards (regardless of which 2 are selected) with one of the best number tens in the world behind them. Two of the three big money signings from the summer are now firing. Couple it with last year’s Premier League winning midfield and elite performers / leaders at the back such as Alisson and Van Dijk and it’s easy to make a case as to why Liverpool should be considered a dangerous opponent as we progress into the knockout stages. Not to mention the clubs record in the competition and history of emerging triumphant in the most unlikely of circumstances.

They key to the Reds being able to deploy the above and making a serious play for the European Cup however will be in the availability of the squad. Should Slot manage to have his key men available and ready to go there will be a growing optimism at Anfield that this season can still return something special given the Dutchman has already shown he knows how to navigate his way to the biggest honours.

Liverpool supporters now await the results of the play off round in the Champions League before their path to Budapest is confirmed. Something that will likely either make or break their season.