Supply and DEMAND - how Slot needs to get his forwards firing again

SHOOTING STATS THAT PROVE REDS ATTACKERS NEED MORE SERVICE

- By IAN DOYLE

THE international break is usually a time for club managers to cross their fingers, legs and more besides after waving goodbye to their players in the hope of them returning unscathed.

For Arne Slot, though, there could be reason to be grateful for the current round of national team duty.

The desire to get back on to the pitch and right the wrongs of three successive defeats before the temporary pause in action will have been burning strongly among Liverpool players as they departed Stamford Bridge earlier this month.

But for a particular section of the Reds squad, a change of scenery and an opportunity to boost wavering confidence may ultimately prove huge beneficial.

A first glance at the statistics would suggest Liverpool, who were last season’s top scorers in the Premier League, aren't having many issues in attack this term.

In the topflight, the Reds are only two goals behind current leading marksmen Manchester City, with Arsenal the only other team to have netted more times in their opening seven games.

The defence, having shipped nine goals in those matches compared to just three by Arsenal, is understandably bearing the brunt of criticism, despite Liverpool standing only a point adrift of the Gunners after a tough schedule at the start of the season.