Overview

• Liverpool’s head coach says opponents now defend deeper and throw bodies in the way, citing Crystal Palace and Galatasaray as examples of why open-play scoring has become harder.
• Slot links that change to the arrivals of Florian Wirtz (£116m) and Alexander Isak (British‑record £125m), recruited to add creativity and incision.
• Wirtz is still adapting to the Premier League and Isak is short of match fitness, while Alexis Mac Allister’s workload is being managed after a groin issue.
• Club and league data show open‑play output fell in the second half of last season as set‑piece goals rose; this season Liverpool have 10 league goals from open play and one from set pieces.
• With Alisson sidelined by a hamstring injury, Giorgi Mamardashvili will make his Premier League debut at Stamford Bridge as Slot emphasizes set pieces and notes Liverpool remain top despite two straight defeats.