Liverpool's stunning league triumph last season feels like a distant memory now – with four straight losses and a fourth-place spot in the table, just four points adrift from Arsenal's lead, something is seriously amiss at Anfield. It's a shocking downfall for a squad that dominated so effortlessly, but here's where it gets controversial: could Arne Slot's massive summer spending spree of nearly £450 million be backfiring spectacularly? And this is the part most people miss – the new manager's struggle to pinpoint his ideal starting lineup. On Sunday, in that heartbreaking 2-1 home defeat to Manchester United, high-profile arrivals like Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, and Jeremie Frimpong – costing a whopping £214.5m combined – were relegated to the sidelines. As former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock pointed out on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, Slot faces a real puzzle in integrating these talents. 'It's not just about the hefty transfer fees or the big names,' Warnock noted, drawing parallels to Thomas Tuchel's challenges with England's squad. This piece dives into the critical dilemmas Slot must resolve to prevent Liverpool from suffering a fifth consecutive loss for the first time since 1953 – a streak that would be a historic low.
Should Mohamed Salah Be Sideline?
For eight seasons, Mohamed Salah has been the heartbeat of Liverpool's attack, a hero who lights up the pitch. Yet, this campaign, the 33-year-old Egyptian star hasn't hit his stride. Last year, he bagged 29 Premier League goals in 38 matches, but so far, he's yet to find the net from open play in the league since the opener against Bournemouth. His last league goal came on September 14, a late penalty in a narrow 1-0 victory over Burnley. In fact, this marks the first stretch of seven straight league games without a non-penalty strike since he joined the club in 2017. On Sunday, during the Manchester United clash, Salah completely missed a prime chance in front of the passionate Kop faithful, skying a sitter when Liverpool desperately needed an equalizer. His confidence seems shaken – he's hesitant to take on defenders directly, preferring to face them head-on rather than turning with his back to the goal, as he's famously done in the past. The team's sluggish midfield build-up isn't aiding him either; Salah thrives on lightning-fast transitions and fearless dribbles. Even Premier League legend Wayne Rooney has publicly questioned his effort levels, and with his scoring drought, there's growing criticism about his defensive contributions – or lack thereof. For beginners wondering what that means, 'tracking back' simply refers to a forward helping out by sprinting back to support the defense, something Salah has been accused of avoiding. So, the big question looms: Is Slot brave enough to bench a legend who's delivered so much for the club? It's a decision that could redefine Liverpool's season, and dare we say it, spark outrage among fans who see Salah as untouchable.
Isak or Ekitike – Or Maybe Both?
When Liverpool splashed out a record £125m for Alexander Isak, the hype was immense; here was a proven scorer expected to fire on all cylinders. But the Sweden international's start has been anything but smooth. After a protracted saga to secure him from Newcastle, Isak skipped pre-season training, and his rustiness has shown in his goalless run across his opening seven appearances. On the flip side, fellow new arrival Hugo Ekitike burst onto the scene, netting five times in his first eight games – that's impressive form! However, his opportunities dwindled after a red card for stripping off his shirt in celebration during a Carabao Cup win over Southampton, earning a 'stupid' second yellow, as Slot himself called it. Since then, Slot has leaned on Isak as the primary striker, while Ekitike has faded into the background on the bench. Against Manchester United, Isak managed only 19 touches in 71 minutes, far fewer than substitute Federico Chiesa, who racked up 23 and even set up the equalizer. This raises the debate: Should Slot persist with Isak, or switch back to Ekitike? And here's a twist that might divide fans – could both be deployed together, perhaps in a flexible formation? Imagine Isak's aerial prowess paired with Ekitike's pace; it sounds promising, but would it disrupt the team's balance? Slot's choices here could either ignite a lethal frontline or leave Liverpool chasing shadows.
Has Wirtz Improved or Hindered Liverpool's Midfield?
Florian Wirtz, another blockbuster signing scooped up from Bayer Leverkusen for up to £116m in June, has struggled to replicate his Bundesliga brilliance. Unlike Isak, he had a full pre-season, but he's still searching for his first Liverpool goal, with his sole assist coming in a Community Shield loss to Crystal Palace. Last season in Germany, the 22-year-old dazzled with 10 goals and 14 assists, often hugging the left flank before cutting inside with the ball. But under Slot, he's been shifted centrally, behind the strikers. This tweak has unsettled the core midfield trio of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, and Dominik Szoboszlai – the same unit that anchored Liverpool's title-winning campaign, starting 22 league games together. Consequently, Wirtz has been benched, perhaps due to adapting to the Premier League's relentless pressing demands off the ball. Yet, Liverpool's attacks have felt sluggish and uninspired, lacking that spark. Interestingly, when Wirtz does play, he tops the league in chances created per 90 minutes among players with over 200 minutes – an astonishing stat for beginners to note, meaning he's generating scoring opportunities at a higher rate than almost anyone else. So, is Slot wrong to doubt him? And this is where opinions clash: Some argue Wirtz needs time to adjust, while others say he's disrupting a winning formula. Should the manager reinstate him and urge teammates to capitalize on his deliveries? It's a midfield mystery that could either unlock creativity or expose vulnerabilities – what do you think?
Can the Full-Back Puzzle Be Solved?
The departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid left a gaping hole, and Slot hasn't filled it convincingly. The right-back was a goal machine, with 23 strikes and 92 assists in 354 games, often orchestrating attacks. Enter £29.5m signing Jeremie Frimpong, expected to step in, but he's battled for spots with Conor Bradley and even midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai. Liverpool's right side has been a disaster, conceding 38.1% of opposition attacks – that's nearly two-fifths, for easy reference. Both Frimpong and Bradley enjoy bombing forward, but this leaves huge gaps for counters, exacerbated by Salah's minimal defensive help. Take Chelsea's October 4th winner: It stemmed from an overload on that flank. And against Manchester United, Szoboszlai, filling in at right-back, allowed Matheus Cunha to sneak behind for the corner leading to the goal. Former striker Chris Sutton blasted it as a 'mess' on BBC Radio 5 Live, questioning why so much cash was spent on Frimpong, who he deems unfit for the role. Warnock added that Bradley was slated as first choice but lacks consistency, highlighting how indispensable Alexander-Arnold was. On the left, Andy Robertson has been relegated after Milos Kerkez's £40m arrival from Bournemouth. Yet Kerkez, the young Hungarian, has been caught out repeatedly, straying from position and exposing center-back Virgil van Dijk. Sutton pointed out Kerkez isn't an upgrade, leaving Slot clueless about his lineup. Does Robertson deserve a recall? And who's the ideal right-back – a steady defender or an attacker? This full-back fiasco is crippling Liverpool, and it's controversial: Are these signings flops, or just victims of poor management? Fans might argue Slot should bench the newbies and trust veterans.
How to Seal the Cracks in Central Defense?
With full-backs faltering, the burden falls on center-backs Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, who've looked shaky against quick breaks and balls over the top. Liverpool shipped just three Premier League goals at this point last season, but that's ballooned to 11 now – even more than newly promoted Sunderland. They've mustered only two clean sheets, and set pieces are a nightmare, with five goals conceded from dead balls. Only Nottingham Forest (six), Leeds (six), and West Ham (eight) have worse records. Errors have stung: Konate botched both Bournemouth goals in the opener, while Van Dijk was dragged out of shape for United's first. For beginners, set pieces are free kicks or corners where teams bundle in the box – Liverpool's organization there is crumbling. How can Slot shore up the backline before more damage is done? Perhaps more tailored training or tactical tweaks, like tighter marking. But here's the provocative angle: Is the defense's fragility a symptom of Slot's inexperience, or are aging stars like Van Dijk slowing down? It might ignite debate – do Liverpool need reinforcements, or can they fix this internally?
As Liverpool stares down the abyss of a fifth loss in a row, Arne Slot's decisions could make or break the season. The controversies surrounding Salah's form, the striker dilemma, Wirtz's role, full-back instability, and defensive leaks all point to deeper issues – perhaps a need for bold changes. What are your thoughts? Do you agree Salah should be dropped, or is he due for a resurgence? Should Slot gamble on both Isak and Ekitike? Is Wirtz the key to midfield magic, or a disruptive force? And who's to blame for the backline woes – the players or the manager? Share your opinions in the comments below; let's discuss!
