Three drastic changes Arne Slot has to make to ensure Premier League success - opinion

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Liverpool have struggled in the past two games but their form will not last.Arne Slot’s side have received criticism for the way they have played, especially in their first defeat to Crystal Palace in the Premier League, and it has led to questions being raised about their title credentials.While some of the criticism has been unfair towards Liverpool, others have been constructive and have pointed out gaps or changes that are needed to help them retain their title.The one major issue has been selection, with players being played in the wrong positions or players not even having a chance to start despite good form.But three drastic changes are needed to regain that form and start to work out the best starting XI for the Dutch manager, which will all but ensure their success in defending their crown.Photo by Carl Recine/Getty ImagesThese changes should begin with Chelsea, so they can at least be tested before the international break, and give them confidence going down to Stamford Bridge.Conor Bradley starts at right-back and Dominik Szoboszlai moves back to midfieldIt may seem like a ridiculous point to even make, but given that Dominik Szoboszlai was used as a right-back in the Champions League game this week, it seems needed.The Hungarian is obviously more suited to the midfield position, and he is absolutely needed not just as a calming force but also a creative one, especially with Florian Wirtz not up to speed.His partnership with Ryan Gravenberch is practically perfect, and to lose that just to switch up the squad out of at times desperation seems unfair, considering what the pair provide.Conor Bradley should be starting all the games at right-back, especially as Jeremie Frimpong, for some reason, is not really being considered in that role despite his strengths there.Bradley brings assurance and defensive security, which allows for the midfield to be a bigger driving force in creating chances with little need for the 22-year-old to overlap consistently.Even if Szoboszlai has performed well in the position when called upon, it is time to have some consistency in that position, which has been lacking all season, and will help in the long run.Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak should play togetherSo far, both Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak have not been able to share the pitch, but now more than ever, it could be a necessity given the lacklustre displays up front.It was suggested by some that the pair could not work together, but that is nonsense, especially because of the positions they like to take up, with Isak sometimes drifting slightly wide.If Slot can put these two up front and either play them as two strikers or place one on the left wing, yes, it is a big change, but this one seems more necessary given how comfortable both are up front.This would mean less game time for Cody Gakpo; however, the Dutchman has been quite average at times this season, so it may be fair to give the two new strikers a go in the front three.Why it is not a consideration is strange, given he has clearly tried everything else, with most of those choices not working.Joe Gomez should start over Ibrahima Konate (for now)This final change should seem like a no-brainer given how Ibrahima Konate has performed recently, but it needs to be said, as Joe Gomez has not been given a real chance.Clearly, Slot is not the biggest fan of Gomez in the team, but the only real issue that there is with the Englishman is that he is prone to injury, although, currently, he is fit, so it seems like it is a change that has to happen.Konate has put in some great performances this season, but they have now been outweighed by his defensive mistakes, which make him a liability in this current squad.Placing Gomez back into the team would be the perfect way to add security to the defence with Bradley and van Dijk alongside him.Photo by Alex Livesey – UEFA/UEFA via Getty ImagesWhile it may be a hit to the morale of Konate, it could be what he needs as a wake-up call to get back to his usual high standards, and then he can be brought back into the team properly.These changes are a must if Liverpool are to keep consistency in the league, and deviation or changes in this set-up could cause more issues down the line.