Arne Slot is facing pressing questions at Liverpool, chief among them what to do with Mohamed Salah. The Reds' defeat to Brentford was not just a blip but the clearest sign yet of a team that has lost its predatory edge. Liverpool are stumbling through a genuine crisis, having plummeted to seventh in the Premier League after four straight defeats.
The slump has exposed cracks in Slot's setup and raised questions about whether last season's title triumph was a masterclass or a fluke. With Arsenal pulling away at the top, Liverpool's aura of invincibility is fading. Sunday's result took Liverpool's goals conceded to 14 in nine league games, almost triple the total at this stage last season. It is the first time they have lost four league matches in a row since 2020-21, a season plagued by a title hangover and questionable recruitment.
Mo Salah's late consolation goal against Brentford papered over cracks in his recent form. The Egyptian no longer explodes past opponents or forces mistakes with his movement. He presses less, tracks less, and when not in the box, rarely influences games. Last season, only eight of his 29 league goals were true difference-makers. Slot might need to drop Salah, giving chances to players like Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, or young Rio Ngumoha to inject fresh energy into the attack.
A shift to a 3-4-3 formation could restore defensive balance. With three centre-backs, Liverpool could plug gaps exploited on the counter. This would protect wing-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, allowing them to attack without worrying about being caught high up the pitch. In midfield, Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones could operate as energetic 'water carriers', bringing back bite and balance.
Up front, Wirtz and Dominic Szoboszlai could rotate in the inside-right role, while Ekitike and Cody Gakpo alternate on the left. This setup would also help keep Alexander Isak fresh. Slot must act now to stop the rot at Anfield.
