The lack of chemistry up front is draining
For Arne Slot and Liverpool FC, things have been unravelling and threaten their chances of defending their Premier League crown.
The Premier League champions suffered four straight defeats, including a loss at Anfield against rivals Manchester United.
After a flawless start that saw the Reds top the table, they now sit fourth, chasing Arsenal and Manchester City.
And although the losing streak was broken with a resounding 5-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League, Slot is facing his biggest test yet as Liverpool boss.
Despite Liverpool’s quality, recent performances show cracks that go beyond bad luck.
Early wins often relied on late goals, masking issues that have now come to light. On the pitch appears to be a team struggling for rhythm, cohesion and direction.
Slot must act fast and here are five immediate areas he needs to solve.
Stick to an Attack
Liverpool’s biggest question mark is their frontline. What does the best attack actually look like under Arne Slot?
Unlike Pep Guardiola, who rotated freely without sacrificing quality, Slot hasn’t found a formula that works consistently.
Hugo Ekitike looked like Liverpool’s signing of the summer, but despite a blistering start, he’s found himself benched.
Cody Gakpo remains effective yet often overlooked, while others seem caught between roles.
The lack of chemistry up front is draining the team’s momentum and confidence.
Slot must identify his most balanced front three, not necessarily the most expensive, and build around them.
Constant chopping and changing have blurred roles and limited understanding.
Until the Dutchman finds a system where attackers can rotate without a drop in output, Liverpool’s attack will remain unpredictable for all the wrong reasons.
Make It Look Like Money Well Spent
Liverpool’s summer spending spree brought excitement, but with it came pressure.
When you spend a British record £241 million on two players, there’s no hiding if they fail to deliver. Alexander Isak has already shown flashes of Premier League class, yet Florian Wirtz remains an enigma.
Wirtz’s talent is undeniable, but he’s been deployed inconsistently. Slot must decide how to unlock him. Can he adapt to the Premier League’s intensity as a No.10? Or does he fit better drifting in from the wing or sitting deeper in midfield?
Currently, Liverpool’s setup doesn’t seem built for a traditional playmaker, but wasting a £116m signing is not an option.
Mikel Arteta’s reinvention of Kai Havertz offers a lesson: creativity sometimes requires experimentation. Slot needs to find the right tactical balance that justifies those eye-watering fees.
Because in football, big money without big performances quickly becomes a big problem.
Stop ‘Basketball’ Games
Jamie Carragher summed it up best: “Liverpool aren’t playing football at the moment – they’re playing basketball.”
End-to-end chaos has replaced the controlled dominance that once defined the Reds.
This shift has left Liverpool wide open.
The collapse from 2-0 up against Bournemouth on the opening night was a warning that went unheeded.
The midfield’s lack of control, coupled with a disjointed attack, has turned matches into frantic exchanges rather than composed performances.
Top teams dictate tempo. Slot’s side, by contrast, often look reactive.
Until he restores structure, ensuring defending begins with the frontline, Liverpool will continue to leak goals and lose control of matches.
Entertainment is no substitute for authority, especially when silverware is at stake.
Decide on Salah
Few players have carried Liverpool like Mohamed Salah, but every era faces hard truths.
Two goals in eight league matches, one from the penalty spot, is not the return expected from the club’s star player.
Arne Slot cannot be sentimental. If Salah’s influence is waning, he must be managed accordingly.
His reduced defensive work only makes sense if he’s compensating with attacking output, which he currently isn’t.
Substituting him late on against Manchester United hinted at Slot’s frustration, but the time may have come for a bolder decision.
Dropping or rotating Salah would be controversial, yet it might jolt others into accountability. Keeping him untouchable risks stagnation.
Leadership sometimes means making the unpopular call, and this one could define Slot’s early reign.
Sort the Defence
Liverpool’s defensive issues are deep-rooted and increasingly exposed.
Letting Jarell Quansah leave now looks short-sighted, particularly with Ibrahima Konaté’s erratic form. Virgil van Dijk remains world-class, but even he can’t mask the instability around him.
Slot’s use of Dominik Szoboszlai at right-back is another red flag.
While the Hungarian has impressed with effort and adaptability, this tactical compromise feels eerily similar to when James Milner filled in years ago. It’s a quick fix, not a sustainable plan.
Defensive cohesion is built on consistency, not improvisation.
The Dutchman must restore a settled backline, even if that means rethinking his midfield setup.
Because until Liverpool stop conceding cheaply, they’ll keep needing to score three just to win one.
Arne Slot arrived at Liverpool promising evolution, not revolution.
His side has shown glimpses of brilliance, yet tactical confusion and inconsistency threaten to derail their season.
Fixing the attack, justifying record signings, restoring defensive order and making tough calls on senior players, these are not small tasks.
But they’re essential if Slot wants Liverpool to be seen as title contenders rather than a team in transition.
The next few weeks will reveal whether the blip can be steadied or if is a sign of something more serious.
For Liverpool, the reset must start now, and it has to come from the top.
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