I heard frustrated Liverpool star's X-rated training outburst – Arne Slot faces tough calls

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Theo Squires was at the AXA Training Centre for Liverpool's latest open training session, and Arne Slot will have to make at least one change to his side against Eintracht FrankfurtTheo Squires was appointed Liverpool FC Writer for the Liverpool ECHO in 2021, after covering EURO 2020 at Wembley as England reached their first major men's final since 1966. Such a decision admittedly prompted raised eyebrows.READ MORE: Liverpool suffer injury blow as crucial star misses training before Frankfurt tripREAD MORE: Liverpool could face Premier League talks after 'breaking rule' in Man Utd defeatBut while the Dutchman will need to name a replacement for Gravenberch, it would be even more of a surprise if he was not considering multiple changes to his starting XI after seeing his side fall to a fourth defeat in a row.Despite the Reds’ recent poor form, Slot’s squad was at least in good spirits in open training as they look to find a way to reverse the rut.But they were not without an added competitive edge to proceedings too.Having come in for criticism from a plethora of pundits, including Manchester United legends Roy Keane, Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville, following Liverpool’s loss to the Red Devils, captain Virgil van Dijk led the way, sprinting away from his team-mates at the front of the pack with the Dutchman eager to start training ahead of the Reds’ trip to Germany.In one exercise testing the players reflexes, the 34-year-old found himself up against two of his team-mates as they were tasked with picking up a tennis ball from a cone to either their left or right before sprinting to the finish line.At his very first attempt, Van Dijk was left challenging the final decision as to which of the trio crossed the line first.He was not the only one.

And from those outings, he has started only twice - in the Champions League against Atletico Madrid and the League Cup against Southampton.He actually scored Liverpool’s opener against Atletico, while he captained the Reds for the first time since being promoted to vice-captain against the Saints.Not since his very first season on Merseyside back in 2017/18 has Robertson gone into a campaign and not been first-choice. His leading status in the Liverpool camp is still apparent regardless, even if game-time has so far eluded him during the current campaign.Yet with Kerkez continuing to struggle since making the move to Anfield, Robertson would be forgiven for wondering how long he has to wait for Slot to reinstate him into his starting XI.Only time will tell if the Dutchman opts to rotate at left-back in Frankfurt.Watch Eintracht Frankfurt vs Liverpool on TNT SportsThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.

His only goal contribution remains an assist on his debut in the Community Shield against Crystal Palace, while Slot has benched him for three of his side’s last four Premier League games against Everton, Chelsea and United.Jeremie Frimpong will also be pushing for a recall, be it at right-back or maybe even right-winger as the pressure continues to grow on the out-of-form Mohamed Salah.While it was a surprise to see the Egyptian benched for Liverpool’s last Champions League outing against Galatasaray, it would be less of a shock if Slot made a similar choice in Germany following another below-par display against United on Sunday.Like Ekitike, both Wirtz and Frimpong were at least lively off the bench against the Red Devils. As was Curtis Jones, who could be in line to replace the injured Gravenberch, and Federico Chiesa.The Italian set up Cody Gakpo’s equaliser against United and now has two goals and three assists from just 171 minutes of action this season.Initially left out of Slot’s Champions League squad only to earn a reprieve following Giovanni Leoni’s season-ending ACL injury, he missed the trip to Galatasaray with a knock but is now just one of a number of players knocking on the door.Liverpool have not been at their best throughout the entire season to date, and a number of Slot’s players are desperate to be given the opportunity to help reverse the Reds’ fortunes.The Dutchman has some tough decisions to make as Liverpool look to avoid a fifth defeat in a row.