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Liverpool’s passing network against Ipswich, up to the 66th minute, is genuinely interesting. It tells us a lot about how this team is trying to build attacks — and it also highlights one issue that has been bothering me for a while. Liverpool are still relying too heavily on the left side. And that could become a serious problem. Virgil is still Liverpool’s playmaker at centre-back The first thing that stands out is Virgil van Dijk. Even at centre-back, he remains one of Liverpool’s most important playmakers. The passing network shows how often the ball goes through him during the build-up. He is still the player looking to break lines, switch play and move Liverpool up the pitch. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Virgil’s passing range is outstanding, and Liverpool are right to use it. But it does raise a question. Are Liverpool doing enough to create alternative routes into midfield? Because when opponents block Virgil’s passing lanes, Liverpool can become predictable. The centre-backs need to be able to progress the ball, but the midfielders and full-backs also have to offer more movement and variety. Szoboszlai seems too safe The second thing that caught my eye was Dominik Szoboszlai. His passing network appears to show a player who is involved, but often in a very safe way. A lot of his passes seem to go backwards or sideways rather than forwards. That isn’t automatically a criticism. Sometimes recycling possession is the correct decision. Sometimes the forward pass simply isn’t available. But Szoboszlai has the ability to play with far more aggression than this. He should be breaking lines. He should be carrying the ball forward. He should be connecting midfield with the front three. He should be arriving in dangerous areas. Instead, there are too many moments where he receives the ball and chooses the safest option. That can make Liverpool’s attacks slower and easier to defend. For a player with his physical ability, passing range and attacking instincts, I want to see more ambition. Isak’s chances are coming from the left The most important detail, though, concerns Alexander Isak. His chances are being created primarily by Cody Gakpo and Florian Wirtz. That tells us two things. Firstly, Gakpo and Wirtz are finding ways to connect with Isak. That is encouraging. Isak needs service, and he is clearly getting it from the left side. Secondly, Liverpool aren’t creating enough from the right. That is the bigger concern. If every dangerous attack comes through Gakpo and Wirtz, opponents will eventually start overloading that side of the pitch. They can narrow the space, double up on Liverpool’s left and force the team to play through the right. At the moment, Liverpool don’t look balanced enough. This was also an issue with Salah last season This isn’t a completely new problem. We saw something similar with Mohamed Salah last season. Liverpool often relied heavily on him to create and finish attacks from the right. When Salah wasn’t producing, the team struggled to generate enough threat from that side. Now, with Isak leading the line, Liverpool need to make sure the same imbalance doesn’t continue. It cannot be enough for the left side to create everything. The right side has to become more dangerous. That means better combinations between the right winger, right-back and midfield. It means more forward passing from Szoboszlai. It means more movement away from the ball. And it means players taking responsibility instead of constantly recycling possession. Liverpool need more from the right This is where the passing network becomes so useful. It isn’t just a collection of lines and numbers. It can show the habits of the team. Liverpool are comfortable building through Van Dijk. They are finding Isak through Gakpo and Wirtz. But the right side isn’t contributing enough to the attack. That has to change. Whether it is Bradley Barcola, Victor Muñoz, Federico Chiesa or another option, Liverpool need players on that side who can consistently create danger. They need someone who can receive the ball high, attack defenders and create chances for Isak. They also need the midfield to support that side instead of simply passing backwards. Wirtz isn’t the only problem This is important because the criticism of Florian Wirtz has become too easy. Yes, Wirtz needs to improve. He needs to be sharper, more decisive and more influential in the final third. But the passing network suggests that Liverpool’s attacking issues are bigger than one player. Wirtz is involved in creating chances for Isak. Gakpo is involved too. The problem is that Liverpool aren’t getting enough from elsewhere. If the right side was creating regularly, Wirtz’s performances would be judged in a different context. He wouldn’t be expected to carry so much of the creative responsibility. The balance has to improve Liverpool cannot become a team that only looks dangerous down one side. The best teams are difficult to defend because they can hurt opponents in multiple ways. They can build through the centre. They can switch play quickly. They can attack from both wings. They can create overloads and isolate defenders. Liverpool aren’t quite there yet. The passing network shows a team with clear strengths, but also a clear imbalance. Virgil remains the main playmaker from the back. Szoboszlai is playing too many safe passes. Gakpo and Wirtz are creating Isak’s chances. And the right side isn’t doing enough. My verdict Liverpool’s passing network is encouraging in some ways. Isak is getting service. Gakpo and Wirtz are connecting with him. Van Dijk is still capable of controlling the build-up from centre-back. But the team is too dependent on the left. Szoboszlai needs to play more forward passes. The midfield needs to take more risks. And Liverpool need far more creativity from the right. This was an issue with Salah last season. It cannot become the same problem again. Liverpool have invested heavily in their attack. Now the passing network needs to show a more balanced team. Because if every chance for Isak continues to come from Gakpo and Wirtz, opponents will know exactly where to defend. Jamie (The Kopite View)