Liverpool's Dressing Room Divide Theory Emerges
Former Premier League manager Tony Pulis has suggested that Liverpool's dramatic collapse in form could be linked to a dressing room divide caused by their massive summer spending spree. The Reds suffered a humiliating 4-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield on Wednesday evening, marking their ninth loss in just twelve matches under mounting pressure for manager Arne Slot.
£450 Million Summer Overhaul Creates Tension
Liverpool invested up to £450 million bolstering their squad this summer, bringing in six new first-team players: Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, and Giovanni Leoni. Speaking on The Managers podcast with Mick McCarthy, Pulis questioned whether the club's title-winning stalwarts have developed animosity towards the new arrivals, particularly given the reported wage disparities.
"Are the players who are there happy with the players they've brought in?" Pulis asked. "Is there some animosity between the players coming in with the players who actually won the league last year?"
Wage Structure Concerns and Performance Issues
Pulis highlighted that financial disparities could be destabilising the dressing room, especially when new signings aren't delivering on the pitch. Reports indicate that Alexander Isak earns approximately £300,000 per week, while Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike are on around £200,000 weekly. This places them above established title-winners like Andy Robertson (£160,000) and Alexis Mac Allister (£150,000).
"If they come in and they don't look as though they're helping people out and they don't look as though they're making a difference, those waves are going to start rolling over people," Pulis warned, suggesting that underperforming high-earners create resentment among long-serving players.
The former Stoke City manager also questioned whether Liverpool's players are matching the physical effort of last season's title-winning squad, urging analysis of distance covered and sprints compared to previous campaigns.
With Liverpool preparing for a crucial Premier League clash against West Ham on Sunday, Arne Slot faces immense pressure to address these potential internal issues and secure much-needed points to turn around their disastrous season.
