Arne Slot Faces Four Critical Challenges That Could Define Liverpool's Season
Liverpool have secured victory in 70% of their fixtures across all competitions this campaign and presently occupy second place in the Premier League, yet Arne Slot's title holders still appear to be heading toward a crisis.
The Reds experienced a dream-like season under their Dutch manager in 2024–25 and an extraordinary summer transfer window suggested the foundation of a dynasty. Nevertheless, Liverpool's financial investment has produced the reverse outcome, destabilizing the squad that cruised to Premier League success last season.
Liverpool's seven-match victory run at the campaign's beginning turned out to be misleading. Fortune maintained a series of thrilling late wins, but that luck has now disappeared. The Reds suffered three consecutive defeats before the October international break for the first time since 2023, caught off guard by the dramatic moments that had previously helped them.
Liverpool can hardly argue with defeats on the road against Crystal Palace, Galatasaray and Chelsea, all of whom deserved their victories in clashes with the Reds. Luckily for Slot, the pause in club football gives him the chance to conduct essential analysis and find solutions before his squad returns from international commitments.
Here are four issues the Liverpool boss must tackle during the October interval.
Defensive Disintegration
Liverpool's struggles at the season's start have been defined by their chaotic defence. Even during wins their backline has been stretched in all directions, confused by anyone bold enough to attack swiftly and in large numbers.
In Liverpool's opening five wins this campaign, they gave up two-goal advantages on three different occasions. They were pulled back twice in the Community Shield before eventually losing to Palace on penalties. In their three recent losses, they have been behind by the 16th minute.
Slot's team have let in nine goals in the Premier League—more than Everton, Sunderland and Bournemouth—and are permitting 1.38 expected goals per game on average. The defensive structure that recorded more shutouts than any other side in England's top division last season has been breached with concerning frequency.
Liverpool have found it difficult to achieve stability in their defensive line since overhauling the full-back positions. The signing of the extremely offensive-minded Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez has created massive gaps during transitions, with the former finding it hard to become a regular starter and the latter making an underwhelming beginning on Merseyside.
An unstable midfield has not helped Liverpool's structure, with Alexis Mac Allister's fitness issues proving expensive, while Ibrahima Konaté and even Virgil van Dijk have been performing below their standards. The addition of multiple attacking stars has further disrupted the formation of Slot's side.
Resolving the defensive issues will be anything but simple. Both personnel and tactical changes are needed to strengthen things. But Liverpool simply cannot match and even surpass last season's achievements while their defence remains so chaotic.
Ibrahima Konaté's Implosion
Konaté has become the scapegoat for Liverpool's catastrophic defensive showings this season and rightfully so. While the 26-year-old isn't entirely responsible, his terrible individual displays have been impossible to overlook—particularly amid continuing speculation about his Liverpool future with Real Madrid showing interest.
The Frenchman seems increasingly probable to join Trent Alexander-Arnold at the Santiago Bernabéu on a free transfer next summer, but is performing his way out of consideration for a high-profile move to the Spanish capital.
Konaté's carelessness, weak positioning and questionable passing have all been justifiably criticized in the season's opening two months, the defender struggling against quick, strong attackers like Jean-Philippe Mateta and Victor Osimhen.
The centre-back has always been prone to the occasional disaster, but those displays have been far too common this season. Slot must discover a method to revitalize or simply shield his No.5, with adequate alternatives being scarce.
The Florian Wirtz Conundrum
In twelve months' time, the critique of Florian Wirtz's beginning at Liverpool might appear quite silly. The £116 million German remains among the world's top attacking midfielders and will almost surely succeed at Anfield with time and patience. However, currently, he's creating an unwelcome problem for Slot.
It cannot be disputed that Wirtz's displays have been weaker than anticipated as he battles to adjust to life in a new club and nation, but it's the effect the 22-year-old has on Liverpool's structure and unity that represents the primary worry.
Wirtz has been deployed in his favored No.10 position since arriving on Merseyside, replacing Dominik Szoboszlai as Liverpool's most forward midfielder. Unlike his Hungarian colleague, Wirtz doesn't provide the same defensive cover or work ethic without the ball, ultimately leaving the Reds to defend with one fewer player than last season.
Wirtz, predictably, wants to function in and around the penalty box where he can contribute goals and assists, but the advanced areas he occupies leaves Liverpool vulnerable when possession is lost. The Reds are not accustomed to having a pure attacking midfielder in their starting eleven.
Finding room for Wirtz while maintaining structural soundness is the challenge confronting Slot, and there seems to be no simple solution.
Mohamed Salah's Malaise
Mohamed Salah drove Liverpool to first place last season and was always going to struggle to match his remarkable statistics. He achieved an extraordinary 34 goals and 23 assists across all competitions, figures which persuaded the Reds to make every effort to extend his deal for another two years.
But, like many of his colleagues, Salah's performance levels have dropped dramatically this season. He's recorded three goals and three assists in nine matches—a respectable tally, certainly—but his overall displays have been far beneath his typical standards.
Salah has squandered more clear-cut opportunities (three) than any other Liverpool player in the league this season and has a dribbling success percentage of merely 12.5%. He's not providing the Reds with the same ruthless quality as last campaign and is also finding it difficult to trouble left-backs with his customary pace and strength.
The 33-year-old isn't playing poorly, but considering Liverpool's dependence on their No.11, he must contribute more. Currently, he's simply not delivering enough during his club's moment of crisis.