Liverpool's Struggles: Key Issues Facing the Team
Four consecutive defeats, a fourth-place position in the Premier League table, and four points adrift of leaders Arsenal. Liverpool is clearly facing challenges.
Once dominant in their league title run last season, Liverpool now appears vulnerable defensively, sluggish in midfield, and ineffective in attack.
Adding to the pressure, manager Arne Slot, who has invested nearly £450 million in new talent, seems uncertain about his optimal starting lineup.
In their 2-1 loss to Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday, high-profile summer signings Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, and Jeremie Frimpong—acquired for a total of £214.5 million—were all relegated to the bench.
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock commented on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, saying, "Slot faces a dilemma about how to integrate these players. It's not solely about a player's price tag or reputation; we are witnessing this with Thomas Tuchel's situation in England."
BBC Sport has identified crucial questions Slot must address to prevent Liverpool from suffering a fifth straight defeat, a feat not seen since 1953.
Should Salah Be Dropped?
Mohamed Salah has been a pivotal player for Liverpool over the past eight seasons.
However, after netting 29 goals in 38 league matches last season, the winger has struggled to find his form this term.
Salah has not scored in the Premier League since September 14, when he converted a stoppage-time penalty to secure a 1-0 victory against Burnley. He has not scored from open play since the Reds' opening match against Bournemouth.
This marks the first time since joining Liverpool in 2017 that he has gone seven consecutive Premier League matches without scoring a non-penalty goal.
His lack of form was evident on Sunday when he missed a clear chance in front of the Kop while Liverpool sought an equalizer.
Salah appears to lack confidence in taking on defenders, no longer exhibiting the aggressive attacking runs that once characterized his play. The team's slow build-up is not conducive to his style, as he thrives on quick attacks and prefers to confront defenders directly.
Premier League legend Wayne Rooney has raised concerns about Salah's recent work ethic, and with no goals to show, scrutiny has intensified regarding his reluctance to contribute defensively.
But does Slot have the confidence to bench a player who has been a hero for Liverpool on numerous occasions?
Isak or Ekitike? Why Not Both?
With a British record £125 million transfer fee, expectations for Alexander Isak were high when he joined Liverpool as a proven Premier League goalscorer.
However, his transition to the team has not been smooth. Following a protracted transfer from Newcastle, Isak missed pre-season training, and his lack of match fitness has been evident, as he has yet to score in his first seven appearances for Liverpool.
In contrast, fellow summer signing Ekitike made an immediate impact by scoring five goals in his first eight matches. However, his opportunities have diminished since receiving a red card for removing his shirt after a late winner against Southampton in the Carabao Cup—a decision Slot deemed "stupid."
Since then, Slot has favored Isak in the central striker position, while Ekitike has struggled to make an impact as a substitute.
Isak's recent performance against Manchester United was lackluster, with only 19 touches in 71 minutes. In comparison, substitute Federico Chiesa had 23 touches and provided the assist for Liverpool's equalizer.
Should Slot continue with Isak, or is it time to integrate both Isak and Ekitike into the lineup?
Is Liverpool's Midfield Better or Worse with Wirtz?
Wirtz, another high-profile summer signing, has yet to leave a mark on Liverpool's performance.
Acquired from Bayer Leverkusen in June for a fee that could reach £116 million, Wirtz enjoyed a full pre-season with Liverpool. However, he has not scored in a Liverpool shirt, with his only assist coming during the Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace.
Last season, he scored 10 goals and provided 14 assists in the Bundesliga, typically positioned on the left wing to drive inward. This season, however, Slot has deployed him in a more central role behind the strikers.
This adjustment seems to have disrupted the midfield's stability, which previously thrived with Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, and Dominik Szoboszlai, who were instrumental in Liverpool's title-winning campaign.
As Wirtz struggles to adapt to the Premier League's demands, Slot has reverted to his established midfield trio, leaving the expensive German international on the bench. Nonetheless, Liverpool's attacking plays remain slow and uninspired.
Interestingly, Wirtz has been creating chances when involved, boasting the highest chances created per 90 minutes among players with over 200 minutes played in the league. Should Slot restore his confidence in Wirtz and demand improved performance from others?
Is There a Full-Back Fix?
The departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid has undoubtedly impacted Liverpool, given his significant attacking contributions—23 goals and 92 assists in 354 appearances.
Jeremie Frimpong was expected to fill the void following his £29.5 million transfer, but he has found himself competing for minutes with Conor Bradley and midfielder Szoboszlai.
Liverpool has been particularly vulnerable on the right flank, with 38.1% of attacks originating from that side. Both Frimpong and Bradley are full-backs who prefer to push forward, often leaving gaps that opponents exploit during counter-attacks. Salah's reluctance to track back exacerbates this issue.
The winner scored by Chelsea against Liverpool on October 4 stemmed from an overload on that side, and Szoboszlai's decision to drop into a right-back position allowed Matheus Cunha to exploit space and earn the corner that led to Manchester United's winning goal on Sunday.
Chris Sutton, a former Premier League striker, remarked on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, "The right-back situation is a mess. Szoboszlai has been their best midfielder, and playing him there hinders his effectiveness. Spending that much on a right-back who struggles in that role is absurd."
Former Reds full-back Warnock noted, "Conor Bradley was always going to be the first choice this season. But he is still young and developing."