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It appears that Mohamed Salah's lack of defensive contributions is emerging as a slight problem for Liverpool, particularly when facing top-tier teams.

I can fully grasp if manager the Liverpool boss has directed the forward to avoid defensive duties, because positioning himself advanced on the right flank during transitions has established him as one of the global most dangerous strikers.

However, the teammates in support fail to offer sufficient defensive support, creating significant issues for anyone has been at the right defensive position in recent matches.

Be it Jeremie Frimpong or Dominik Szoboszlai, they often find themselves in difficulty due to dealing with a numerical disadvantage on their side.

It proved a clear vulnerability in the recent match, resulting in the opponent's decisive goal – and the concern is that more teams will smartly target this same area.

{'Salah Is Given License to Skip Defensive Work

First of all, it's hard to believe that Slot is instructing the attacker to track back and assist his defender.

If Salah had been instructed to follow Chelsea's left-back Marc Cucurella, then this was extremely evident he did not comply, and the coach would not tolerate that.

Instead, Slot is granting him the freedom to focus exclusively on offensive play, which is fine – we've seen numerous examples of other teams adopting similar tactics, with players who choose to conserve their energy for attacking actions.

Yes, there are always specific moments in a match when you are conceding chances and one might take it upon yourself to track back.

It's known he is capable, because during Liverpool won at a top rival last season, his work rate was outstanding I've seen from him.

However, he must have been instructed to perform that role on that day, which is why I am not criticizing him if he has been told to remain advanced.

'The Main Problem Is The Way Liverpool Are Structured Behind Salah'

The concern with his role stems from how Liverpool are organized behind him, especially when playing stronger teams.

The other teammates must offer more and quicker help, as it seemed like Chelsea were advancing the ball upfield and subsequently switching it to their left side, because that's where the gap existed.

If a their midfielder went out belatedly – be it Alexis Mac Allister – then he left openings in central areas ahead of the back line because Liverpool were missing a man from the center.

This situation becomes less critical when facing teams that they control possession against – as we've seen Liverpool previous success playing this way – but they must improve as the elite teams will take advantage.

'Liverpool Have Lost Command of Matches'

It isn't as if Salah has altered his duties this season, but since he is failing to find the net at the other end, maybe the defensive aspect of his performance is more noticeable.

I am not too concerned about his current performance, because he will return to form – history shows – in terms of his goal scoring.

He found great positions against Chelsea but maybe took a chance when he could have assisted, and the opposite, but those opportunities will continue and the scores will come.

My main worry with Liverpool at the moment is their lack of command in games compared to the previous campaign.

This has been a frustrating week for them, naturally, not just to suffer three matches in a row in the domestic league and European competition but as the performance levels have fallen below expectations.

There are mitigating factors, of course, with the numerous personnel changes in the summer and the number of players who missed pre-season, but previously Slot's side appeared very good at controlling matches and that is not the case.

It felt like their defensive shape was solid, and Slot's more possession-based approach brought better control.

This was an aspect that observers instantly saw he had added to the team, compared to what it was like under previous management.

Now, though, I watch them and it looks somewhat chaotic. The last half-hour of the recent match was so frenetic it resembled a knockout game – they had chances to secure victory, but gave away several chances too, which is why they ended up losing.

{How Can The Manager Address Liverpool Issues?

We can identify a several aspects that are off about Liverpool, and I keep seeing them giving the ball away, but this is not an unresolvable situation.

Even though they have several new additions – and different types too – they don't need to alter their approach. They simply require to return to being a bit more composed and calm.

Good news is they are only one point adrift of leaders Arsenal and have time to correct the things that are going wrong.

Fitness aspect they are missing will improve because the individuals who did not have a full training camp, like midfielders and full-backs, will attain optimal condition shortly.

Building effective relationships on the field requires time too, whether it be between the right-back and the forward or additional key combinations.

So, there is no reason to panic. It feels like currently in the top flight, and not just with this team but with every side, you are only one week away from 'catastrophe' and criticism.

The reality is the recent results to them this week will probably happen at some stage to Arsenal and Manchester City as well.

I had not actually thought that side would be in the championship chase, but if a key attacker remains motivated and healthy they will compete.

Arsenal, defensively, look excellent again and, overall, after several matches they appear very assured in what they are doing across the pitch – it looks like a continuation of their previous form, with an extra layer of talent and squad strength.

For them it feels like more of a rebuild at present. But while there is still work to do for them to establish the right equilibrium and partnerships, it is expected all expects them to progress as the season advances.