Liverpool have two quick fixes to restore Premier League title-winning control
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Liverpool Echo IconSportFootballLiverpool FCAndy Robertson and Curtis Jones re two players who should have picked up more game-time for Liverpool this season, but that can change in FrankfurtMark is a Content Editor at Reach PLC's Liverpool Hub, and was appointed to the role in 2025. Prior to that appointment he worked solely for the Mirror for nine years, primarily in the role of Sports Features Editor.
A regular contributor to podcasts and videos, his work can be seen both in print and online, and his exclusive interview with the Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk in April 2024 is one of many successful projects Mark has completed for Reach PLC.Picking out positive moments from Liverpool's last four matches is a little like searching for needles in haystacks, but one came in the 55th minute of the defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.With Florian Wirtz introduced at the break the Reds had started the second half well, should have equalised through Mo Salah and were beginning to turn the screw somewhat. The Stamford Bridge crowd felt a little fearful.It was at this moment that Arne Slot opted to double down on this control of the game by bringing on Andy Robertson and Curtis Jones, with the Scot replacing Milos Kerkez and the Scouser coming on for Ibrahima Konate, who had a slight injury complaint.Ryan Gravenberch dropped into defence and that helped Liverpool progress the ball well from the back, but over the next 20 minutes it was Robertson and Jones who were the most calming influence on the Reds.
Cody Gakpo grabbed the equaliser, and then Salah passed up another good chance.It wasn't until Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca turned to his bench with 15 minutes of normal time remaining that the game turned again, with lively attacking trio Jamie Gittens, Marc Guiu and eventual winning goalscorer Willian Estevao all turned to and asked to relentlessly press from the front, something they did with absolute aplomb.Estevao's late winning goal changed the narrative, sent Maresca wild and ensured that Liverpool's substitutes weren't the story of the evening, but that control Liverpool asserted when Robertson and Jones came on shouldn't be forgotten, particularly not at a time when control is the exact thing Slot's side is missing.Kerkez has become something of the poster boy for the summer signings not quite being up to scratch just yet, and even though some of his shortcomings are more of a team failing than an individual one, it is impossible to escape the notion that a spell out of the team would do him some good right now. Robertson is of course the perfect man to come into the side in that scenario.Jones, meanwhile, might be turned to should Gravenberch be forced to miss the Frankfurt clash with the ankle injury he suffered against Manchester United.Liverpool's No.17 was stationed as the deepest midfielder in that mad dash for an equaliser that saw Slot throw all of his attackers onto the pitch, but if he were to start in a similar role in Germany you'd think there'd at least be a more coherent structure ahead of him, and one he can thrive in.Both he and Robertson have watched far too much of Liverpool from the sidelines this season, and Slot should turn to their Premier League title winning experience to help provide a bit of stability while much of the rest of the side struggles.This season is far from lost for Liverpool, but in the search to wrestle it back a little bit of familiarity wouldn't go amiss right now.Liverpool sale knocks 50% off kit and merchThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.