Liverpool lost to Chelsea on Saturday, and Arne Slot is facing a problem as his team’s performance deteriorates. The Reds had one of the best transfer windows in club history, giving the impression that they were the Premier League’s answer to Real Madrid’s Galactico-era in the 2000s.
The club surpassed the British transfer record twice, first with Florian Wirtz (£116 million) and then with Alexander Isak on deadline day (£125 million). Slot’s men’s struggles were inconceivable, but two consecutive defeats have fuelled fears that the wheels are beginning to come off.
Following a disheartening 1-0 Champions League defeat to Galatasaray on midweek, the reigning champions face Chelsea next. Enzo Maresca’s side is also under fire, but Slot will be well aware of how difficult a journey to Stamford Bridge can be, having branded the Blues as his worst opponents during his brief time at Anfield.
The Dutchman has some decisions to make before their meeting in west London on Saturday evening, such as the Wirtz conundrum. He will also be missing the injured Alisson Becker, and here’s how his team might line up against Chelsea without their greatest player so far this season.
Keep the Faith: Wirtz and Konate Remain in XI
Slot is unlikely to change his system despite his team’s disappointing losses to Crystal Palace and Galatasaray, where they finished second best. It has been tried and tested, even if it is not now producing results.
The Dutch coach will be looking for Giorgi Mamardashvili, Alisson’s substitute, to stand up after the Brazilian custodian was injured in Istanbul. The Georgian will be in all three potential line-ups for the Chelsea game and may be looking to show a point, given that he is now a backup.
Slot cannot afford to keep Dominik Szoboszlai at right-back after his performance against Galatasaray. The Hungarian was chasing shadows against Baris Alper Yilmaz, and Alejandro Garnacho can be difficult to cope with on his own.
“That decision to play Szoboszlai at right back and not Frimpong – he has been attacked twice, done for pace and has given away a penalty” – Pat Nevin, on BBC Radio 5, Live.
Slot just need rewatch the Blues’ defeat to Bayern Munich to see how effective a front three of Salah, Isak and Ekitike could be at Stamford Bridge. Wirtz may have to start regardless of form because Alexis Mac Allister doesn’t appear to be completely match fit, not providing the engine room he was praised for so much last term.
Risks aren’t just taken up top but also defensively, as Slot should wield the axe on Ibrahima Konate, who has been quite possibly his side’s worst performer. He was once again poor against Galatasaray, and the Frenchman’s uncertain future could be proving a distraction.
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