Mohamed Salah axed: Four Liverpool big names should be dropped vs Frankfurt
Mohamed Salah was one of many Liverpool players who were below par in the 2-1 defeat to Man United on 19 October and don’t deserve to start in the next Champions League game.
Arne Slot has some major headaches to resolve in his Reds starting XI following their shock Anfield loss to United.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown exclusively told Football Insider on 20 October that the Liverpool hierarchy will be expecting Slot to pick up results quickly after losing four matches on the bounce in all competitions.
To add further pain, the Dutchman will be sweating over the injury status of Ryan Gravenberch after he came off with an ankle injury in the 62nd minute, a player who is currently undroppable based on current form.
Ahead of a must-win Champions League clash against Eintracht Frankfurt on 22 October, Football Insider considers four players that the ex-Feyenoord boss must drop from the starting XI to turnaround Liverpool‘s misfortunes.
Milos Kerkez too far out of his depth
Signed in the summer as a long-term replacement at left-back, the Hungarian has not looked comfortable in front of the Anfield crowd.
Milos Kerkez was thought to be the golden boy to champion a Reds side seeking to consolidate their Premier League crown, yet he has been erratic, naive and unreliable.
Sources told Football Insider that Liverpool are readying a new deal for Andy Robertson with his contract expiring at the end of the season.
Clearly, the club were willing to let the Scotsman go, presuming Kerkez would kick on from his excellent 2024-25 campaign with Bournemouth, but this has been not been the case.
Simply put, Slot needs the experience and composure the number 26 brings to stabilise the shoddy left-back position.
Conor Bradley unable to capitalise on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s absence
When Real Madrid finalised a move for Trent Alexander-Arnold during the summer, fans were excited that it would allow Conor Bradley to push on following two seasons as a squad player.
Yet, the Northern Irishman has been underwhelming, even partially usurped from his own position by Dominik Szoboszlai who had never played a competitive match at right-back until this campaign.
The ex-Bolton defender’s lack of creativity has hurt the Reds, who became so accustomed to Alexander-Arnold’s marvellous link-up play that allowed the likes of Salah to thrive.
Bradley has not taken advantage of the chasm left by the Englishman and Slot will feel time is running out for him to prove himself.
Alexander Isak proving to be a costly transfer mistake for Liverpool
Alexander Isak became the most expensive transfer deadline day signing ever when he finally left Newcastle in the final 24 hours of the summer window.
Dubbed as one of the finest forwards in the world, rival supporters were quaking at the prospect of the Swede running riot for Liverpool.
However, with just one goal to his name, the ex-Borussia Dortmund man has seriously struggled to adapt to the burden of playing in front of the Kop.
The 26-year-old looked completely isolated against United, bizarrely missing one big chance which shows his out-of-character state at the moment.
Both Federico Chiesa and Hugo Ekitike are in far better form and should definitely be starting ahead of him in the Champions League, regardless of the hefty price tag.
Salah in steep decline as goal drought intensifies
The Egyptian’s poor showing against the Red Devils extended his spell of no goals to five matches in all competitions.
The number 11 has been a shadow of his former self with serious questions being asked over whether he should be a guaranteed starter anymore following his recent awful displays.
Former Watford striker Troy Deeney slammed Salah’s performance against Man United, highlighting his selfishness.
At 33-years-old and beginning to leave his prime years, Slot must change his view on the winger and make him fight for a starting spot once again to revive his terrible run of form.