Long balls have become Liverpool's new nemesis, causing their decline.
Liverpool have lost four consecutive matches when opponents resorted to long balls: 571 one-on-one situations; Man United had 25.5% long passes; 7 goals conceded from set pieces, 3 from throw-ins.
A long ball bypasses the initial pressing, the midfield is left behind, and Liverpool once again falters in the second-ball race. Four consecutive Premier League defeats – their worst run since 2021 – don't stem from fitness issues or injuries, but from a simple solution that opponents have all opted for: playing long balls.
Since the start of the season, Liverpool have faced 571 long passes – the highest in the league and 46 more than the next-placed team. Three of their last four matches against Manchester United, Crystal Palace, and Bournemouth were among the games with the most long passes of the season. In their 1-2 defeat to United, 25.5% of their opponents' passes were long balls – their highest percentage in almost eight years.
Coach Arne Slot acknowledged this trend: “Teams are employing a long-ball strategy against us, and currently it’s proving effective. We haven’t found a solution yet.”
Why do long balls cause Liverpool to lose control of the midfield?
The essence of long balls is to bypass the dominance Liverpool create in midfield with high-pressure pressing. Even if Virgil van Dijk or Ibrahima Konaté win the first aerial duel, the structure behind them is still easily "shattered" in the second ball contest. This draws Liverpool into physical battles and set pieces – where the risks increase significantly.
Notably, Liverpool are not weak in the air. They win 56.5% of their aerial duels – second only to Manchester City in terms of success rate. The problem lies in their reaction after the first touch: second balls, set pieces, and attacking throw-ins become triggers for opponents.
Aerial duels aren't bad; second ball and set pieces are the Achilles' heel.
The Reds have conceded 7 goals from set pieces, including 3 from throw-ins – the highest number in this category in the league. Last season, they only conceded 1 goal that way. This is a sign that their defensive organization after the first ball is unstable, especially when drawn into chaotic contested areas.
The defensive system is not working together.
Part of the reason stems from personnel. New signing Milos Kerkez on the left wing is still adapting, while the right-back position is constantly being rotated. When the defensive structure on both flanks is not yet fully developed, long balls or throw-ins from the opponent easily create space behind the midfield.
The data tells the story.
| Index | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Long passes required (since the start of the season) | 571 | Highest score in the league; 46 times more than the second-placed team. |
| The 1-2 defeat against Manchester United | 25.5% | United's long-pass conversion rate is the highest in almost eight years. |
| 3/4 of the last matches | But | Matches against Man United, Crystal Palace, and Bournemouth: among the games with the most long balls this season. |
| Air combat win rate | 56.5% | Only behind Manchester City |
| Goal conceded from a set piece. | 7 | Of those, 3 were from throw-ins – the highest in the league; last season there was only 1. |
| Champions League vs Galatasaray | Lost 0-1 | The opposing team made 63 long passes. |
| Champions League vs Eintracht Frankfurt | Winning 5-1 | They only had to face 38 long balls. |
The Arne Slot Challenge: Regain Control
Arne Slot understood that the problem wasn't about the statistics, but about how Liverpool re-established control of the game – something that had been the foundation of their success under Jurgen Klopp. When drawn into second-ball battles and set pieces, The Reds lost their biggest advantage: their initiative in midfield.
Even in the Champions League, the scenario repeated itself: the 0-1 defeat against Galatasaray saw 63 long passes from the opponent, while the 5-1 victory against Eintracht Frankfurt resulted in only 38 long-ball encounters.
Immediate impact
Liverpool are having a rather disappointing start to the season. The upcoming League Cup match against Crystal Palace is an opportunity to test how to counter their opponents' long-ball tactics and regain confidence. If they don't quickly adapt to this tactic, which their opponents have exploited extensively, the Premier League champions' season could take an unexpected turn.
