Likeable Liverpool manager Arne Slot has taken full responsibility for Liverpool’s run of poor form. However, the Dutchman has blamed his latest defeat, a three-nil home loss to Crystal Palace, on having a squad that is too small as well as four key injuries.
“We don’t have such a big squad as people might tell.” Arne Slot (Liverpool Manager)
It is common for top teams to rest players for League Cup matches. Still, many of the Liverpool manager’s increasing number of critics say that he didn’t involve enough key players, which contributed to the performance and the resulting defeat.
With huge games against Real Madrid and Manchester City looming, Slot will be under tremendous pressure to turn things around quickly.
If Liverpool lose the next three or four games, there will be massive pressure on the club owners to sack the Premier League-winning manager.
Speaking to Sky Sports TV following the match, Slot said: “Last time we played Southampton here for the League Cup, Giovanni Leone got injured.”
“We don’t have such a big squad as people might tell (we) mainly have 20 players.”
“So then if we have four injuries. I only have one right fullback. Are you willing to take that risk if such a big week is coming up?”
“If one of them was injured people would have said what a stupid choice. Also with them it was very difficult for us with our starters to beat Palace.”
I genuinely understand Slot’s points. However, when a team is on such a poor streak of bad results, they must get back to winning ways to boost confidence throughout the squad, regardless of the competition they are playing in.
Liverpool have been dumped out of the League Cup after losing 3-0 at home to Crystal Palace, causing dismay for their worldwide fanbase.
After a simply superb title-winning season in the Premier League last time around, the 2025/26 season is causing many Liverpool fans concern following an alarming set of results in recent weeks.
When the summer transfer window slammed shut, most pundits, fans and journalists believed Liverpool had just completed a near-perfect selection of high-quality transfer deals.
LFC Transfers
However, the Premier League Champions have now lost their last four league games in a row and have now been knocked out of the Cup by Crystal Palace. Disaster.
After beating title rivals Arsenal at Anfield, most observers believed it was business as usual, as Liverpool defeated a well-organised Gunners team set up in a defensive formation. Liverpool passed the test.
“Our reaction must start now.” Virgil van Dijk
Many fans are becoming worried that their new signings, formations, and results are resulting in what many see as a short-term crisis.
In contrast, others believe the problems are deeper than a blip in league results.
Captain Virgil van Dijk has issued a rallying cry to fans, players and staff alike in an attempt to turn things around and return to winning ways.
Speaking on the Liverpool FC Official Website, the Dutch international defender said, “Our reaction must start now.
“Anfield needs to be a place that no team wants to come to, and for that we need everybody, players, staff and supporters to be at their very best.”
Should Liverpool win their next league game at home to Aston Villa, the confidence levels could very well begin to return amongst fans and players alike.
However, a failure to get three points against an improving Villa side could seriously add to the pressure on manager Arne Slot.
“Our reaction must start now.” Virgil van Dijk
The Liverpool boss believes many teams have worked out effective tactics to beat his star-studded squad.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Slot said: “It is definitely that teams have a certain playing style against us.”
The Dutchman added, “It is a very good strategy to play. We have not found an answer yet.”
Whilst the manager is undoubtedly working on tactics to overcome Liverpool’s next opponents, some pundits are not entirely confident they can.
“Slot’s long-ball comments are a big concern.” Paul Merson
In fact, former Arsenal legend Paul Merson does not rate the Liverpool manager’s comments to the media.
“I didn’t like Arne Slot’s comments about not being able to handle long balls and then the low block.
“They just bought Florian Wirtz in for over £100m to get past 10 players behind the ball.”
Liverpool also has the best centre-back in the world in Virgil van Dijk. That’s why Slot’s long-ball comments are a big concern,” added Merson. (Source: Sky Sports)
“We have a fantastic manager so I don’t see any trouble.” Federico Chiesa
Liverpool’s in-form maestro, Federico Chiesa, is more optimistic, however.
Speaking in the Guardian, the Italian international said: “We’re not winning. I always think positively, and I hope we’re going to bounce back.”
Chiesa added, “We have the quality and the players to do so, and we have a fantastic manager so I don’t see any trouble.”
Liverpool have such a strong squad, a great manager as well as a superb set of fans. That is why, in my opinion, I think that they will turn things around over the next two or three league games. If they don’t, then Anfield could become a very nervy place for fans and players alike.
As I walk through the bustling streets of Manchester today, there is an unusual buzz about town.
Usually the chat in pubs, greasy spoons and on the trams is about City’s latest victory or who should be the next manager of United.
This week is different. United fans are starting to come out of their shells with a sense of happiness, relief and guarded belief.
It started after United beat Sunderland at Old Trafford. My brother and his friends all went to the match and said that United had turned things round and that United are finally clicking in all areas.
I reminded him that Sunderland were a newly promoted team and United should always be beating sides recently promoted from the Campionship.
He told me that was true but there was something in the energy, formation and performance of the team that gave United fans hope ahead of the remainder of the season as they try to get back into Europe and, more importantly, ahead of their match at Anfield against arch rivals Liverpool.
I feared for optimistic fans such as my brother’s mates and genuinely thought that United would either lose heavily to Liverpool or, if they played their hearts out, snatch a lucky draw.
I was totally wrong. Despite Liverpool having plenty of chances, United beat Liverpool 2-1 and had plenty of other chances to score themselves.
They inflicted Liverpool’s fourth defeat in four matched on their bitter rivals and the reds half of the city are absolutely buzzing.
Man United’s under-pressure manager, Ruben Amorim, described the victory as his biggest win since he took over as manager at Old Trafford and that his team played the game with a great spirit.
My brother was correct about his analysis of the Sunderland victory as United went on to win back-to-back Premier League matches for the very first time under Amorim.
Is this a real turning point for United or a just a mere flash in the pan? Possibly.
However, with United not having midweek European matches this season, Amorim and his coaching staff have plenty of time to rest the players as well as to work them hard on the training pitch to guide his team closer towards the top four and gain entry to next season’s Champions League.
Since joining Manchester United, Ruben Amorim has not held back when challenging the status quo; it seems his tolerance with the Red Devils’ misfiring attack has run out.
Following a horrific first half of the season, Amorim allegedly has a simply incredible move in mind as Marcus Rashford looks like he is on his way out of Old Trafford and, in his place, world-class Nigerian sensation Victor Osimhen could be on his way to Manchester.
The action would be bold, divisive, and purely box office. Currently tearing up the Süper Lig with Galatasaray, Osimhen is loaned from Napoli but might be called back at short notice should a big-money offer come in from United.
The 25-year-old striker has nine goals and three assists in just 11 league appearances. It makes sense Amorim is interesting in making a HUGE statement by signing the Nigerian star.
Bringing Osimhen to Old Trafford will not be cheap. Aurelio De Laurentiis, Napoli’s famously austere president, has priced the forward at €75 million. Given United’s owners have allegedly opted to tighten the purse strings following years of extravagant expenditure, that is a large sum of money. But it would surely help United back to winning ways and also make a huge statement.
Osimhen to Set Old Trafford ablaze?
Victor Osimhen is a game-changer not merely another striker. Having a blazing speed, physicality, and killer instinct in front of goal, the Lagos-born forward has all the ingredients to rule in the Premier League.
A move to Manchester United could at last see him realise his dream of playing in England, a wish he has apparently been carrying for years.
United have reportedly already started corresponding with Osimhen’s officials; personal terms are not likely to cause problems. Convincing Napoli to cut ties with their top striker mid-season presents the true difficulty. De Laurentiis is known for his aggressive bargaining strategies, hence any agreement for Osimhen will probably be close to collapse.
Can United afford to indulge €75 million on Osimhen?Their ability to recover funds from player sales will determine the response. Rashford’s leaving would surely raise some money. If they pulled this one of, it would be surely the start of a new era for the once great Manchester United?
Would he go to United though? It is a basketcase of a club at times but you never know.
