‘Andy Robertson perfectly sums up why Liverpool are in trouble under Arne Slot’
Liverpool’s struggles this season can be summed up by their efforts to replace Andy Robertson during the summer transfer window.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the decision to overhaul Arne Slot‘s first-team squad has led to instability.
Milos Kerkez arrived from Bournemouth in the summer and has been seen as a direct replacement for Robertson, despite the Scotland international’s importance to the side.
Robertson has been crucial for Liverpool both on and off the pitch, and the decision to phase him out has led to questions about the bigger picture at Anfield.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider on 25 November that Slot is under pressure to start big-name players after the club spent heavily to back him in the summer.
Andy Robertson problem makes Liverpool issues clear
Liverpool lost 3-0 to Nottingham Forest at Anfield last time out, meaning they have now lost six of their last seven Premier League games, and have plummeted to 11th.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has insisted that while Robertson has received plenty of minutes, his situation highlights a larger issue.
“You can’t quite put your finger on why Liverpool have struggled,” he told Football Insider.
“If you want to analyse some of the activity around the club, I can see their issues reflected in the Andy Robertson situation during the summer and the problems with that.
“He has been so important and such a big part of Liverpool’s success over a number of years, including last season when they won the league title.
“But they made a decision that he was coming to the end of his time and would be replaced, so they went and brought Kerkez in and it hasn’t quite been the same.
“I think Kerkez was a good buy, he’s a very talented player and it made sense for Liverpool to pick him up when they did, but they moved to early to phase Robertson out.
“He’s come back into the side recently, which I think says a lot, but it’s just a case study of the issues Liverpool have had all over their team.
“They’ve spent a lot of money and brought in a lot of players, but that causes more issues because you’re unsettling a side that was so successful last season.
“Players are being phased out and moved on who have been so important for such a long period, and if there’s too much upheaval at once, it never goes well.”
Arne Slot faces Liverpool sack threat
Football Insider revealed last month that Slot is not under immediate pressure at Liverpool, but frustrations have started to grow behind the scenes.
Fans are also beginning to turn on the manager, with questions asked about his decision-making and tactical setup after a dramatic change from last season’s success.
This comes as Brown told Football Insider on 24 November that Slot is facing “serious questions” at Liverpool, and fans are also beginning to turn on the manager.
Jamie Carragher was largely critical of Liverpool, Slot, and his players when speaking live on Sky Sports as he questioned the current atmosphere around the club.
The Reds legend also confessed many of his friends and family have begun to turn on Slot, and he hasn’t been afforded the unconditional love Jurgen Klopp once held.
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