Slot’s not the only problem here

It’s tempting, when the football turns flat and the noise gets loud, to point straight at Arne Slot and call it a day. But if we’re honest, Liverpool’s issues lately don’t start and finish with the fella in the dugout.

Some of this was always going to be messy. Players move on for different reasons: some want a new challenge, some want minutes, some just get worn down by the constant judgement that comes with wearing our shirt. When you churn the group like that, it’s never a given that the replacements land running at full pace.

Selection isn’t a popularity contest

On Chiesa, it can be as simple as this: Slot sees better options for what he’s trying to do. That’s not an insult to the player, it’s just football. Managers pick what they trust, especially when the atmosphere is edgy and every touch gets scrutinised.

And that’s the bit people forget. When you’ve had a run where confidence is thin, you don’t throw lads in just to prove a point. You stick with the ones you think can keep the team functioning, even if it isn’t pretty.

When the seniors wobble, everyone wobbles

The easiest way for new signings to settle is for the established core to be flying. When your leaders are sharp, the structure holds and the new lads can just do their jobs.

But there have been spells where that hasn’t happened. Mac Allister has looked off it at times, Salah hasn’t been at his ruthless best every week, Konate has had shaky moments, and even Van Dijk hasn’t been completely immune. That doesn’t make them bad players. It just means the safety net hasn’t always been there, and the whole side feels it.

Missing an outlet changes the whole game

Losing a player who can beat a press, hit an early pass, or simply give you an out ball is massive. Without that, everything becomes harder: you keep recycling, the tempo dies, and you end up playing the match in front of an organised block instead of getting behind it.

You can see why the idea of replacing that creativity matters so much. If Wirtz is starting to show signs in that role, that’s encouraging, but it’s still a big ask to replicate what a top creator gives you from day one.

Pragmatism isn’t pretty, but sometimes it’s necessary

The last six games haven’t been good to watch. No point dressing that up. But there’s a difference between “bad football” and “a manager trying to stop the rot”. When it’s sliding, sometimes you do go a bit more defensive, tighten up, and build from there.

That’s why blaming Slot for everything feels lazy. This is a team trying to settle after changes, with senior lads not always hitting their levels, and with the manager forced into risk management mode. If we want a stronger second half, it probably takes two things: form from the leaders and sensible reinforcements when the window comes around.

Written by TSK: 29 December 2025