Where is it going wrong for Liverpool and Arne Slot?

Liverpool strolled to Premier League success last season, finishing ten points ahead of Arsenal to claim the title in Arne Slot’s first campaign at Anfield, and early evidence this term hinted that the Reds had everything in place to repeat the feat.

Arne had slotted in seamlessly and by winning the first five matches in their title defence, on the back of some serious summer spending, they were seen firmly as the team to beat again.

However, things have quickly unravelled on Merseyside and the ruffled Reds have won just four of their last 14 matches in all competitions following Wednesday’s 1-1 draw at home to Sunderland.

After taking 15 points from their opening five top-flight assignments, Liverpool have added just seven more from nine subsequent outings to leave themselves 11 points adrift of leaders Arsenal.

Slot’s side are 13 points behind where they were last season after 14 matches, when they also boasted a goal difference thar was 18 better, and Aaron Ashley has taken a look at where things could be going wrong.

Slot's coaching credentials being severely tested

Wednesday’s draw at home to Sunderland means that Liverpool have failed to win three successive games at Anfield for the first time since March 2021 and nine defeats in 14 matches has left many doubting Slot’s ability to turn things around.

Having previously managed only in the Eredivisie and the Dutch second division, Slot has now discovered the difficulty of the Premier League after a superb start and for the first time in his managerial career finds himself under real pressure.

The 1-1 draw with the Black Cats was a prime example of where things must improve. Sunderland made more tackles and more interceptions and won more duels, highlighting a lack of desire and willingness from the Reds that has left many criticising Slot’s coaching credentials given the array of superstars at his disposal.

Liverpool look lethargic and are missing the intensity that has long been a characteristic of the club, with elementary mistakes putting them on the back foot and raising the hopes of their opposition.

Big-money signings failing to fire

The phrase "money doesn't bring happiness" has struck true with Liverpool this season as they still wait to see the best of record signing Alexander Isak and big-money Bundesliga purchase Florian Wirtz.

Isak made the move from Newcastle for £125 million while Wirtz arrived from Bayer Leverkusen for £116m, and so far they have conjured up just two goals between them.

Both players have been derailed by early-season injuries, so fitness can be of some excuse, but Isak looks a shadow of the player who starred for the Magpies and that has contributed to them looking toothless up top.

There are signs that Wirtz is starting to settle in at Anfield but he has registered only four assists in 18 appearances on Merseyside, further suggesting that the decision to permit the exit of Luis Diaz to Bayern was ill-advised.

Having scored five goals in his first eight matches for Liverpool following his summer move from Eintracht Frankfurt, Hugo Ekitike must be a frustrated figure on the Reds bench given he has undoubtedly had the biggest impact of the trio.

Motivation could be on the wane for Salah

Mohamed Salah’s decline this season has provided another headache for Slot and the Dutchman resorted to desperate measures by benching him for their last two Premier League matches against West Ham and Sunderland.

Whether that is in preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations, which starts this month, or not, it is a bold call to unsettle a club legend who could feel the trust has been broken and may soon seek new pastures .

Salah has just four goals and two assists in 13 league appearances. By this stage last season, the Egyptian had 13 goals and eight assists and bolstering their forward options has clearly had a negative impact on their talisman.

When Salah could miss eight games due to Afcon, it looks a savage move from Slot to drop him and you have to wonder whether the 33-year-old will have the desire to fight through their struggles as a result.

Van Dijk not leading by example

Having long been hailed for his greatness, Virgil van Dijk should be expected to shoulder some of the criticism when things take a turn for the worse and the Liverpool leader has made some costly mistakes this season.

Van Dijk committed two big errors in the lead-up to Chemsdine Talbi’s opening goal on Wednesday, giving the ball away before standing off and turning his back on the shot, and the uncertainty of the captain could also unnerve his teammates.

The Dutchman has conceded three penalties in all competitions this season, more than any other Premier League player, and if Liverpool can’t rely on him to inspire them then who can they turn to?

A lack of trust in his centre-back partner Ibrahima Konate doesn’t help, making missing out on Marc Guehi look more costly by the day, but they have conceded 21 goals in 14 games – 11 more than this stage last season – and a lot of it has been simple stuff.

Read more:

 Can anyone stop Coventry running away with the Championship title? 

Arteta will be happier when top defensive duo can return 

Sympathy, trauma and a team in crisis – how do you judge Arne Slot now? 

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