Liverpool find themselves in the unusual situation of a three-match losing streak across all competitions. Despite an impressive start to the season, which saw the current Premier League champions secure seven consecutive victories, Arne Slot’s team has recently hit a rough patch.
Their first defeat of the season was dealt by Crystal Palace, with Eddie Nketiah’s last-minute goal securing a thrilling 2-1 victory for the Eagles at Selhurst Park. The disappointment deepened last week when they suffered a 1-0 loss to Galatasaray in the Champions League.
Hoping to recover against Chelsea this past weekend, the Reds’ performance was as lacklustre as their previous two losses, with Estevao’s injury time goal securing a 2-1 win for the Blues at Stamford Bridge.
This is not only the first time that Slot’s Liverpool side has lost three matches in a row, but it’s also the first time in his managerial career that he’s had to reverse fortunes following a run of three successive defeats.
The Dutchman has faced significant criticism, but some has also been directed towards Mohamed Salah and some of his team-mates, as we examine all the latest news from Anfield.
The Egyptian star has managed just three goals in 10 games and has scored only one in-play goal in the Premier League this season – which came in the Reds’ opening-day 4-2 victory over Bournemouth.
Despite the 33-year-old’s lack of end product being a worry, it wasn’t this that Wayne Rooney chose to critique when discussing the two-time league winner. On ‘The Wayne Rooney Show’, the Manchester United legend accused Salah of leaving his team-mates in the lurch during the match against Chelsea, reports the Mirror.
“I think top players have a bit of an ego, and Mo Salah has been one of the best players in the league for a long time,” said the 39-year-old. “I think the last week has shown something. When it’s going well and you’re scoring goals and winning games, it’s great and the team will put up with that.
“But over the last week, I would question his work ethic. We know he doesn’t always get back and defend as much, but in the Chelsea game his full-back was getting torn apart and he was watching.
“He’s not getting back and helping and players like (Virgil) Van Dijk, and the leaders in the dressing room should be telling him, ‘you need to help out.’ That was a worry – and I think he has looked a bit lost over the last week.”
Despite a summer where Liverpool splashed out more than £450million on fresh talent, the right-back position remains a problem. Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley have yet to consistently shine when playing, leaving Dominik Szoboszlai to fill the role at times, which he has done commendably.
The Northern Irishman was given the nod at Stamford Bridge on Sunday but endured a difficult afternoon against Alejandro Garnacho and Marc Cucurella. Having been booked in the opening period, Slot withdrew him at the interval due to the threat of a second yellow card.
Former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino highlighted the underwhelming displays of numerous Liverpool players during an appearance on talkSPORT. He said: “When you look at Liverpool’s performances, there are a lot of players who are not performing to the levels of last season.
“First of all, they are missing performances from Mac Allister and Salah, who are two vital, vital players to the way Liverpool play. I think Konate as well. He’s not playing as well as last season by a long way.”
Whilst acknowledging Bradley’s potential to thrive at Liverpool, he suggested the defender has been “reckless” this term. He continued: “Then you’ve had the loss of the two full-backs. Conor Bradley can become a really good player for Liverpool. He’s tenacious, got a lot of speed and is a feisty footballer, but he’s being reckless in his play.”
The right-back slot isn’t the only defensive position causing concern this season. Despite Milos Kerkez’s arrival at Anfield following an eye-catching two-year spell at Bournemouth, the left-back has failed to replicate his previous form this campaign.
The 21-year-old has been Slot’s preferred option over Andy Robertson, yet his underwhelming displays have failed to justify his manager’s trust in him. ESPN pundit Craig Burley has predicted that the Scottish international will reclaim his spot in the starting eleven, suggesting Kerkez’s self-belief has plummeted dramatically.
“He’s brought in one of the best left-backs in the Premier League in Kerkez, who’s just lost confidence in his form, and I think he’s about to get dropped for Andy Robertson,” the pundit said. “I think he’s going to have to bring Andy Robertson back into the team. The whole backline is not working right.”
