Leadership change and “main character energy” – inside Liverpool’s dressing room

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A new report from senior journalists has given an insight into the Liverpool dressing room, claiming that Arne Slot has ‘moved away from a formal leadership group’. After a summer of change and tragedy, Liverpool have performed significantly below expectations as new signings settle in and squad dynamics evolve.

By the end of Jurgen Klopp‘s tenure, Liverpool had a “designated leadership group,” as the Athletic described it, featuring Virgil van Dijk, Mo Salah, Andy Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alisson. “Robertson contributes, too, and both have helped Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike — the club’s three most expensive buys this summer — adapt to life on Merseyside.” Florian Wirtz takes ‘some criticism personally’ and attackers have “main character energy” It is no secret that most of Liverpool’s new signings haven’t hit the ground running.

Notably, Evans and Pearce wrote: “Those familiar with Liverpool’s squad, speaking anonymously to protect relationships, talk about a ‘main character energy’ within the attacking ranks now as Salah, Wirtz (who are stationed next to each other in the changing room), Ekitike, and Gakpo all have reasons to require validation in an expensively assembled team. What is important, though, is that the ethos and work-rate behind Liverpool’s success is passed down to the next wave of players.