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Can Arne Slot’s Squad Recover Or Is It Too Late?

Arne Slot’s first few months at Liverpool have turned out rougher than anyone expected. After a grim 2-0 loss to Manchester United at Anfield, the optimism from August has dimmed significantly. But it wasn’t just the scoreline that hurt. The performance did, too. There’s no doubt that United were sharper, quicker, and far more decisive. Liverpool looked short of ideas and heavy-legged. Milos Kerkez, who’s been ever-present at left-back, had another afternoon he’ll want to forget. He was targeted early and often, and once again, Liverpool paid the price for a shaky defensive display that simply isn’t improving.

A Left-Back in Need of a Breather

Slot clearly rates Kerkez, but loyalty only stretches so far when results dip. The Hungarian has started every league game since joining from Bournemouth, yet his confidence looks shot. He keeps getting caught too high up the pitch, leaving acres behind him. With Andy Robertson back in training, it might be time for the manager to protect his young full-back by taking him out of the firing line. Sometimes a short spell on the bench helps a player reset. Right now, it feels more like persistence for the sake of it.

Liverpool’s wobble hasn’t gone unnoticed outside Anfield either. Punters have started looking at the numbers, and the odds on a top-four finish are shifting fast. Many who follow football markets through top sports betting apps can see that faith in Slot’s project has taken a dent. Liverpool still has a chance, but the odds have now tightened to 1/7. Online markets tend to move with sentiment, and that sentiment has turned cautious. It doesn’t take an expert to read the message: unless results pick up soon, Liverpool might be fighting just to stay in the Champions League places instead of dreaming about the title.

Mistakes Piling Up at the Back

Set-pieces used to be a strength for Liverpool, but they’ve become a nightmare. The goal that finished them off against United was the same old story: a free header from a routine cross. Nobody took charge. That lapse has happened too often this season. Seven times in twelve league games, they’ve conceded at least twice, and that’s no fluke. It’s organisation, or the lack of it. The high defensive line still suits Slot’s system, but without coordination, it’s just chaos. Opponents have figured it out, and they’re punishing it every single week.

Searching for a Proper Style

The bigger concern is that nobody really knows what Liverpool is trying to be. Under Klopp, they pressed and suffocated teams. Under Slot, the blueprint is meant to be more controlled. The trouble is, it’s neither one thing nor the other right now. Players seem unsure whether to press or sit. That hesitation kills the pace and expectation. It’s early days, yes, but this group doesn’t look convinced. The transition will take time, though Slot must find a version of his football that actually works with the players he’s got.

Salah Carrying the Weight

Mohamed Salah looked furious walking off after the game, and you couldn’t blame him. He’s been carrying this side for weeks, yet the service keeps drying up. Without Trent Alexander-Arnold overlapping or Robertson firing crosses, he’s too often left trying to do it all himself.  The lack of leadership around him doesn’t help either. In the past, Liverpool had men who would drag everyone up to their level. That authority has gone missing, and it shows when things go wrong.

Goalkeeping Worries

Giorgi Mamardashvili looked nervous from the start. Bryan Mbeumo’s early shot slipped through him, and the crowd sensed it straight away. To his credit, he settled a bit later, but the damage was done. Meanwhile, United’s Senne Lammens looked solid, pulling off a big save from Salah when it mattered. This stark difference told its own story. Slot will need to decide whether to keep backing Mamardashvili or go back to experience for the next run of matches.

Midfield Still Unbalanced

The midfield isn’t right either. Szoboszlai’s energy stands out, yet he’s being shuffled around too much to truly influence games. Moving him to right-back against United made little sense. Alexis Mac Allister’s head knock forced changes, but the structure fell apart after that. Endo tidies up well, but there’s little link between defence and attack. For a side that once dominated possession, that’s a serious downgrade.

Conclusion

Slot’s calm approach is being tested now. Each mistake is magnified, and each team sheet picked apart. Confidence is fragile, and if he doesn’t act quickly, it could collapse altogether. Liverpool still has solid players and enough quality to recover, but something needs to give.