Arne Slot has finally found his attacking rhythm

Liverpool’s 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace feels like a significant pivot point in a season that often lacked consistent output. Watching the tape, the fluidity between Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz is not just an individual brilliance display. It is the result of a deliberate tactical adjustment by Arne Slot to shorten the buildup phase.

Isak’s movement in the channel pulls center-backs out of their comfort zone, creating the space for Wirtz to operate in the half-spaces I often track in my notes. Their goal contributions this weekend served as a reminder that this side is finally peaking at the right moment. The metrics back this up; their xG creation rate has risen by 18 percent since April began.

The defensive cracks remain visible

Despite the win, I am far from convinced by the high line. Palace found joy in the 12th minute through long balls that exploited the gap between the defensive line and the holding midfielder. If a team like Palace can generate two clear-cut scoring chances from transitions, it is a glaring weakness facing tougher opponents in the impending Champions League fixtures.

Slot’s approach relies on overwhelming the opposition press, but it leaves just one pivot covering too much lateral ground. If the midfield doesn't tighten the spacing behind Wirtz, they will be shredded in the semi-final leg on April 28. It is a gamble, but sometimes Slot seems to accept defensive vulnerability as a cost of doing business.

Predicting the final stretch

The upcoming Champions League run will reveal if this team is truly elite or just a flat-track bully against lower-table opposition. History suggests that while the front three is potent enough to outscore anyone, they lack the defensive rigidity to grind out a 1-0 win when the pressure mounts. I expect a high-scoring draw in the opening leg, followed by a narrow exit unless they commit to a more conservative mid-block.

Their current form is sustainable enough to secure top-four, but the lack of a dominant defensive anchor is the flaw that will bite them before June. Slot needs to solve the isolation of his back four. Without that fix, they are hitting a ceiling that no amount of frontline chemistry can break through. The 3-1 result against Palace was fun, but the real test is a different caliber of opponent.