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Liverpool have not had a starting XI this season who have stood out as the best.Arne Slot added to his Premier League-winning side in the summer, using £400 million to revitalise an already brilliant squad with some more of the world’s best players.While Hugo Ekitike has shone during his appearances, the same cannot be said of players such as Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, who have not found their form.Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis. It is something which has been pointed out by pundits as an issue plaguing this side, as Slot has not worked out a solid starting XI, and Paul Merson thinks this issue may last for longer than fans may hope for.The former Arsenal midfielder, like many in the footballing media, has been critical of the start the Reds have made due to their poor performances and now three-game run of defeats.Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty ImagesPaul Merson believes Arne Slot will not know his best team until DecemberWhile multiple new signings are great for the future and health of the squad, it does cause issues in the short term, as Liverpool have found out trying to incorporate everyone so soon.Merson explained it in his preview for the Manchester United game as the Reds’ signings being too focused on the forward areas, which has increased the difficulty for the Dutchman to get his head around his squad.READ MORE: Gary Neville says Arne Slot and Liverpool have changed the way he sees Manchester UnitedWriting for Sportskeeda, the 57-year-old could only see this issue being sorted by December at the earliest, which would be bad news for the team and supporters.He wrote: “I said this before as well, Liverpool went too top heavy in the summer transfer window.
People told me Alexander Isak would help Liverpool walk the league.“But what it has done is created a confusion inside Arne Slot’s head! It will be at least until December when Slot knows his best team.
And if you don’t know your best team, you can’t win the league title!”It is an issue that needs to be and will be addressed quickly, and there is no doubt that this manager is capable of sorting the problem.Paul Merson says Liverpool losing Trent Alexander-Arnold is affecting Mohamed SalahHowever, there is also the situation on the right-hand side with Mohamed Salah and his form in the past few games.It is fair to say the Egyptian has struggled in comparison to what fans are used to seeing, although, given his form during the international break, he may come back stronger.Salah will get back into his legendary form, but it will take time for him to get used to not having the service down the right-hand side with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure to Real Madrid in the summer.This is what Merson believes has affected the play of the 33-year-old winger, as he detailed why it is difficult for Salah to get involved.He wrote: “We have to talk about Mohamed Salah as well, he has struggled so far this season. Without Trent Alexander-Arnold, he isn’t the same player.“When Liverpool had Trent, he was so good on the ball that opponents had to get close to him and always put pressure on him whenever he had the ball.