Just 5 months after Liverpool won the Premier League title, In Arne Slot’s first season, many Liverpool fans are already calling for his head. A manager coming under this much scrutiny, while being the reigning champion, never happens, but it’s hard to argue with. The Red’s have lost 6 out of their last 7 games, with 5 defeats in a row domestically. The last time that happened, the Merseyside based team were relegated.

The Problems

Arne Slot’s Liverpool broke their spending record at the start of this season, signing 6 players, for up to £450 million. While this is a lot of money, The Reds have barely spent over the last couple of seasons, and generally over the past decade, have spent a lot less than their title rivals (Manchester City, Arsenal). The problem is though, the signings haven’t worked. Now obviously you can say that it’s early in the season, and the players need time to adapt, but the whole speal from Arne Slot was that they were. building a team to challenge on all fronts, in all competitions, yet when they play Crystal Palace in the League Cup, they field a team including 6 teenagers. If you’ve signed all of these players for depth, use them. It also could have a negative effect for future transfer windows, as when FSG (Fenway Sports Group Holdings) finally splash the cash, it fails miserably.

The management of these new stars, has also been something I’ve taken notice of. Two of the big signings Liverpool made this window were in the number 9 position. Ekitike has shone whenever called upon, but, as soon as Isak joined, the public could see a rivalry brewing. This was made abundantly clear when Ekitike scored a winner against Southampton. He took his shirt off and showed his name to the crowd, a strange thing to do for a tap-in against a lower league side, especially already being on a yellow card. These things are natural though, the best strikers want to start all the time, and they’re showing fight. However, Arne Slot has gone about Isak’s introduction all wrong. Ekitike would be undroppable for any team in the league barring Manchester City, yet in his immense run of form, he dropped him for Isak. Ever since then, Liverpool have been in decline. Even when Ekitike comes off the bench, it is easy for even the less detail oriented fans to see his impact compared to Isak’s. Yet Isak still starts in the big games, such as; the derby against Manchester United. Perhaps the Dutch manager is struggling to deal with so many stars.

The defence is probably the largest issue in this team. Even though there are serious offensive issues, Liverpool are creating a lot of chances, and eventually, the goals should catch up. Every single game though, Liverpool concede. Konate was rumoured to be joining Real Madrid in the summer, and perhaps his heart is no longer in it, but either way, he’s looked a completely different player. Accompanying that with Liverpool’s greatest ever defender, Virgil Van Dijk, looking like time is catching up to him, the whole foundation of their defence is built on a shaky centre-back pairing. That alone, is enough to turn a team into a poor defensive side, but we haven’t even gotten onto the full backs. A new right back (Frimpong), and left back (Kerkez), were signed for Liverpool this offseason, but neither have raised the standard. Frimpong has struggled through injury, while Kerkez has put in sub-par performances from the get go. It’s looking clear that Liverpool should’ve prioritised defensive stability before making a second striker signing, as no team can perform, with worries surrounding every single player in their back line.

Potential Solutions

It sounds very semi-professional coach, but, let’s get back to basics. Get back to what worked. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Go back to the players that won you the league last season. Of course, Robertson is getting old, hence the replacement in Kerkez, but what this team needs right now more than anything, is defensive stability.

Decide on a striker, and stick by them. Tell Isak he’s starting in the Champions League, tell Ekitike he’s starting in the Premier League. Give them the guarantee that they have the mangers trust and faith. Then, after 3 or 4 games, if the performances are clearly dwindling, replace them, and make them earn their way back into the team.

Drop Salah. He’s not performing, Chiesa is. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done for the club in the past, if you can’t perform now, then you can’t play now. Chiesa has been one of the shining lights in this declining team, so give him the starts he deserves. Obviously it runs the risk of upsetting one of the club legends, but you might gain respect from some of the senior players, for actually showing the guts to make that bold of a decision. Once again, make Salah earn that spot back. Slot could even do the same with the defence, bringing Joe Gomez in for Konate.

Will Slot Be Sacked?

To the overarching question, will Arne Slot be sacked? I think yes. He has earnt himself a lot of time, and rightfully so, with the Premier League win. At big clubs though, time isn’t a right, even when you win. Look at Tuchel at Chelsea, he won them their second ever Champions League. and was sacked the next season. When he will be sacked, I don’t know for sure, but from what I’ve seen, he doesn’t know how to handle his stars. Players are king in football at the moment, and with all the investment Liverpool have just put in to this crop of players, there’s only one man who’s going to suffer with his job.