Mohamed Salah's place in Liverpool's starting lineup is under threat for the first time since his arrival over eight years ago, following a string of poor displays. The 33-year-old was substituted in the 85th minute against Manchester United, a move that drew little reaction from the Anfield crowd, signalling a shift in sentiment. With no direct replacement of his calibre in the squad, head coach Arne Slot faces a pressing decision on how to rejuvenate his forward line.
Slot's attacking substitutions, which proved decisive in last season's title triumph, have contributed to defensive instability this campaign. After introducing multiple offensive players in the 1-0 defeat to United, Slot blamed Harry Maguire's winner on a lack of defensive structure from set pieces. 'It's not an excuse but maybe the reason why the structure in defending set pieces is not as perfect as we usually are,' he said. Liverpool have now lost four consecutive matches, a run that has exposed the imbalance in Slot's approach.
The full-back positions remain a concern, with new signings Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong struggling to replicate the output of predecessors Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson. Kerkez, a £40m signing from Bournemouth, was targeted by United and nearly scored an own goal in a mix-up with Virgil van Dijk. Slot has defended the Hungary international, but calls are growing for the recall of Robertson, who has yet to start a Premier League game this season.
Slot's summer overhaul, which could cost up to £450m, has yet to yield a cohesive unit. The head coach acknowledged the difficulty of integrating multiple new signings while maintaining the calm control that characterised last season. 'We are a team who do not try to keep the draw, especially at home,' said Van Dijk after the United defeat, reflecting the chaotic nature of recent performances.
