Slot seeks solutions as Liverpool crisis deepens
Liverpools recent dip has escalated into a major crisis with manager Arne Slot scrambling for fixes following the Premier League title holders fourth consecutive loss a feat not seen in over ten years.
The Merseyside outfit fell 2-1 to Manchester United on Sunday marking the first victory for their arch foes at Anfield since January 2016.
Liverpool had benefited from fortune during an initial seven match winning streak at the seasons outset aided by several late strikes yet the anticipated uptick in play quality has not emerged.
This marks the first instance of four successive defeats across all tournaments since November 2014 under Brendan Rodgers tenure.
AFP Sport examines the critical challenges Slot needs to tackle to rescue Liverpools campaign.
Salah struggles
Mohamed Salah appears a far cry from the player who dominated opposing backlines last term securing the Premier Leagues top scorer accolade.
The Egyptian King frequently the cornerstone of Liverpools offensive efforts has netted only one open play goal in the Premier League this term on the debut matchday.
During Sundays clash he squandered two prime opportunities against United.
The attacker sat out the starting lineup in the Champions League setback versus Galatasaray lately and notably was substituted on Sunday while Liverpool pushed for a leveller.
Slot remains optimistic this is merely a passing dip for the star who inked a fresh two year extension in April though worries linger that at age 33 his peak may have passed.
Ex Liverpool centre back Jamie Carragher a current Sky Sports analyst asserts Salah ought no longer command an automatic starting berth weekly.
I reckon Salah shouldnt be in the XI for every fixture at present especially on the road given his current dip he commented on Sky.
Would he accept that? Likely not However at a certain stage one must grasp that particularly amid subpar showings what grounds do you have?
Underperforming acquisitions
Slot opted for bold moves in the summer market committing over 450 million dollars 604 million on fresh talent.
The side shattered their own spending benchmark twice to secure creative midfielder Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen and striker Alexander Isak from Newcastle.
Yet neither has tallied a Premier League strike thus far.
Hugo Ekitike another high cost addition has generated buzz but the French forward seems now trailing the ineffective Isak in selection preferences.
Liverpools heavy investment in attackers stemmed in part from Diogo Jotas tragic passing in a July automobile accident.
His void represents the unspoken burden at a team still grappling with the loss of the 28 year old Portuguese star.
On the defensive side newcomer Milos Kerkez has found it tough to adapt at left back where he edges out seasoned Andy Robertson while Jeremie Frimpong has yet to secure his role on the right.
Backline woes
Might Liverpools missed chance to acquire centre back Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace before the transfer window closed jeopardise their Premier League crown?
From early May Liverpool have shipped two additional goals in Premier League outings compared to any rival enduring such in eight of twelve top flight fixtures.
Slots squad has allowed 11 strikes across eight league encounters a sharp divergence from the mere three conceded by table toppers Arsenal.
Kerkez and Frimpong have faltered in replacing Robertson and the exited Trent Alexander Arnold at the full back berths.
Central defender Ibrahima Konate faces ongoing criticism for lacklustre displays and even stalwart skipper Virgil van Dijk was exposed prior to Bryan Mbeumos initial strike on Sunday.
Guehi has informed Crystal Palace of his refusal to renew terms potentially departing in January or seasons close.
Should the English defender opt for Liverpool amid competing interests it might prove insufficient and untimely.