Daniel Sturridge believes that Luis Diaz’s absence is being sorely felt by Liverpool after they fell to a dramatic late defeat against Chelsea.
Arne Slot’s side were second best for large parts of the contest at Stamford Bridge and were made to pay in injury time when Estevao’s strike condemned them to a third consecutive defeat.
Cody Gakpo’s second-half strike had cancelled out Moises Caicedo’s superb opener, but the Reds conceded another late goal to fall off top spot for the first time this season.
Despite their heavy summer of recruitment, Liverpool have not clicked into gear this season, with Slot struggling to find the same rhythm with his new-look squad.
And while much has been made of the absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold, or the unbalanced look to their midfield, Sturridge believes that Liverpool’s front three is where they looked most disjointed.
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In particular, the former Liverpool striker believes that the absence of Diaz, sold to Bayern Munich for £65m to fund the signings of Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike, has gone underappreciated.
‘Luis Diaz is a massive miss for them,’ he told Sky Sports. ‘When we look at Liverpool last year and how they used to press, he was arguably the one who set the press in the front three.
Metro at the Match: Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool
Metro at the Match returns to bring you all the analysis from the biggest games of the season.
Here are our team’s key takeaways from Chelsea’s dramatic 2-1 win over Liverpool.
Kerkez and Konate at the root of Liverpool woes
Liverpool’s ability to move the ball out from the back has understandably taken a hit with Trent Alexander-Arnold no longer on the scene. But the drop-off is becoming a real worry.
Trent’s replacement Jeremie Frimpong didn’t even get on the pitch Saturday night. Over on the left, Milos Kerkez is not proving to be the oven-ready replacement for Andy Robertson many thought he would be, run ragged in transitional moments and failing to offer a threat going forward.
Criticism around Konate has been growing and Arne Slot’s decision to hook him 10 minutes into the second-half and move Ryan Gravenberch back into defence told its own story. Liverpool may have to replace the France international at the end of the season and right now, that is not looking like a bad idea.
Tony Mogan, assistant sports editor
Moises Caicedo the difference-maker once again
A third goal in seven league games proves Moises Caicedo is far more than just a holding midfielder.
The Ecuadorian has an eye for the spectacular and proved that once again, but he also dominated the midfield battle throughout the ninety.
Ben Fleming, sports reporter
Liverpool have surrendered momentum to Arsenal
Yes, yes, it is early days. But there is mounting evidence to suggest this Liverpool side, now trailing Arsenal at the top of the Premier League, will not be defending their crown this season.
Three defeats on the bounce have highlighted issues that already look extremely worrying. Aside from the catalogue of concerns in defence, Mohamed Salah’s waning influence is becoming a common theme. Debatable assist aside, Alexander Isak was largely anonymous on his second league start.
Arsenal’s win over West Ham earlier in their day moved them top and with the Gunners strengthening across the board in the summer, there are no real weaknesses in the squad. Momentum has shifted towards north London for now.
Tony Mogan, assistant sports editor
Joao Pedro quiet spell continues
After a fast start, it has proved a quieter few weeks for Joao Pedro at the top of the pitch.
The Brazilian has no goals in his last six games and has had just two shots on goal in his last 450 minutes. Enzo Maresca certainly needs his striker to find his shooting boots again.
Ben Fleming, sports reporter
Injuries continue to mount for Enzo Maresca
Three points but another two injuries for Chelsea after Josh Acheampong and Benoit Badiashile were forced off in the second half.
Time will tell as to how serious they are, but Maresca could return from the international break with ten players on the treatment table. The Italian has not looked to blame the Club World Cup, but Chelsea’s shortened pre-season is surely causing issues already.
Ben Fleming, sports reporter
‘Szoboszlai does that in midfield with the power and dynamism that he has, but Diaz, with how tenacious he was off the ball and tenacious to get the ball back with interceptions as well.
‘He brought something to that front line and they are now missing that.’
Sturridge continued: ‘Ekitike and Isak do work off the ball, but what I would say is they are attack-minded players and I think Luis Diaz sacrificed himself a little bit more defensively.
‘I think that’s the one thing they need to figure out in the attack is who is going to give themselves up a bit. In a front three, there has to be one person who does that.
‘We talk about the midfield and the balance and consistency there but I also think in the front three it’s important to understand which one is going to be our workhorse, which guy are we going to let do what he wants and the other can go high and score.
‘I think right now I’m not sure the manager knows what he wants to do.’
Slot, meanwhile, insisted his side should not get caught up on their third loss in a row, especially after a game which he felt could have gone their way.
‘I think two very good teams were on the pitch today,’ he told Sky Sports. ‘First half unfortunately for us the only chance they had in the first half goes into the top corner.
‘ We created three open chances – Kerkez, Dom and Alex with the header – but I felt the game was equal.
‘Second half we started off really well. It wasn’t a surprise we equalised. Last 15 minutes it was end-to-end. We had chances. they had chances to win. In the end we concede a last-minute goal.
‘Last season we lost against Chelsea as well. Stamford Bridge is always difficult. We were very close to a result. Small margins.
‘As I said at Galatasaray, we had a one-vs-one then they get a penalty. We concede in extra, extra time against Palace. And then today they score a goal that could go at either end.’