Arne Slot has ‘major concerns’ about four Liverpool players
Liverpool enjoyed a strong start to the Premier League season but their recent struggles have raised concerns behind the scenes.
Arne Slot’s side cruised to a 5-1 win against Eintracht Frankfurt on 22 October, easing some of the pressure which had been building on their displays.
However, that result followed four straight defeats against Crystal Palace, Galatasaray, Chelsea and Man United, leading to frustrations behind the scenes at Anfield.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider on 20 October that Liverpool are concerned about Slot and his side’s recent performances.
This comes after Wayne Rooney criticised Slot’s side, insisting they have become complacent after last season’s success and their busy summer transfer window.
However, the manager is not the only one facing growing stick from fans and neutrals, with a number of key players questioned for their displays.
Four Liverpool stars causing concerns for Arne Slot
Last season’s success at Anfield saw the likes of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold on top form, helping the Reds dominate their rivals.
However, both Van Dijk and Salah have seen major dips in form lately, while the likes of Alexander Isak and Milos Kerkez have struggled to adapt to the club.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn scout Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Liverpool are relying on their best players to bounce back quickly.
“All of a sudden, they don’t look as solid as they did last season,” he told Football Insider.
“Van Dijk’s form has been very up and down, when he’s not playing at his top level, it tells you something about how the team have struggled recently.
“Kerkez has gone in there and they don’t look at sound as they were, he hasn’t quite hit the levels Andy Robertson would show as their main left-back.
“Alexander-Arnold leaving was a blow, of course, and then there’s been a lot of talk about Salah because he’s not scoring goals at the rate he usually does.
“In a few games this season, he’s been a passenger, and they can’t afford that.
“I have no doubt these players will get back to their best, because that’s what the top players do, but until they do that, there are going to be serious questions asked.
“It’s going to be a major concern for the manager, because he’s the one who faces the pressure.”
Meanwhile, players including Isak and Florian Wirtz have come under fire for their displays, while Slot has been slammed for his decision-making.
Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz woes continue
Brown told Football Insider on 21 October that Isak and Wirtz are causing concerns for Liverpool after struggling to adjust to their moves.
The two summer signings, each of whom were British records at the time of their arrivals, are now causing major worries for Liverpool alongside their poor form.
Moves to Liverpool for Newcastle and Bayer Leverkusen respectively have led to claims of a “culture shock” given the demands and expectations at Anfield.
After Liverpool spent £446million on summer signings, the expectation was that they would blow teams away with their high-value squad, but that has not been the case.
Inside the next three weeks, the Reds will face Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Real Madrid and Man City, and must find form quickly.
For more Liverpool and exclusive news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.