Arne Slot has insisted it is unfair to judge Liverpool's reshaped attack given the prolonged injury absence of British record signing Alexander Isak. The Reds have scored 21 goals in their last seven matches across all competitions, but their Premier League tally of 40 from 25 games represents a significant drop from last season's title-winning campaign.
Isak has managed only three goals in 16 appearances this term after breaking his leg at Tottenham before Christmas. Meanwhile, summer signing Hugo Ekitike has impressed with 15 goals in 33 outings, but Mohamed Salah's form has dipped alarmingly, with just six goals – only one since November – and Cody Gakpo has struggled for consistency on the left wing.
Gakpo's inconsistency has prompted questions over the wisdom of selling Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich for £65.5m last summer. The Colombian has thrived in Germany, contributing 18 goals and 14 assists in 30 matches, after providing 25 goal contributions for Liverpool last season.
Slot acknowledged Diaz's quality, saying: 'You always miss good football players. He was so important for us last season.' However, he defended the club's decision, adding: 'If this club gets for a 28-year-old an offer like that, then this club, because it is built on sustainability, chooses to sell a player. It is why it is so nice that we are able to achieve the things we have achieved with that model.'
