Arne Slot must find a way to improve the team selections he has made in Liverpool's recent run of form.
The Reds enjoyed a blistering start to their title-defending campaign, winning all seven of their opening games across all competitions. Despite this, however, Liverpool did not earn these wins convincingly and sure enough, their run of late winning goals came to an end.
Few, however, would have foreseen Slot's team losing four successive games, against Crystal Palace, Galatasaray, Chelsea and Manchester United respectively. A 5-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League was hoped to be a turning point but upon their return to Premier League action, the Merseyside club were beaten 3-2 by Brentford.
Liverpool struggled to deal with the Bees as they lost for a fourth consecutive time in the English top flight. Though still early in the season, Liverpool have already presented an opportunity for title-rivals Arsenal to create distance between the clubs.
After their loss in London, questions must surely be asked of Liverpool and in particular, the thoughts of their manager.
Slot's Team Selections Are Costing Liverpool
Mo Salah, Arne Slot and Joe Gomez after Liverpool's defeat to Brentford
Throughout the season, even on their winning run to open proceedings, questions have been asked about Liverpool's defence. By signing and utlising Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, both naturally attacking full-backs, the Reds have seemed far more susceptible to being caught out on the counter-attack, or by teams playing long balls forward.
Against Brentford, Dominik Szoboszlai was chosen to play at right-back once again, ahead of Frimpong, who has struggled with injuries as well as form, and right-back Conor Bradley. Szoboszlai, a natural midfielder, has been one of Liverpool's best players this season, but their issues on the right-hand side of defence has hampered his ability to consistently influence games from his natural position.
Following Joe Gomez's introduction for Florian Wirtz against the Bees in the 83rd minute, Szoboszlai was moved into midfield and just minutes later, assisted Mohamed Salah for what proved to be a consolation goal. The Hungarian being needed at right-back is an indication that Liverpool, perhaps, focused on the wrong things in the summer.
Hugo Ekitike has enjoyed a brilliant start to life at Anfield, yet Liverpool still signed Alexander Isak for a British record transfer fee late in the window, despite Ekitike's form. That money would surely have been better spent on defensive reinforcements, given how thinly stretched Liverpool are for options across their backline.
Isak, along with fellow nine-figure signing Wirtz, has struggled for form early in the season, which has only seen Liverpool's choice to recruit both called into question when there are obvious areas on the pitch where further signings are needed.
Nothing can be done to change the signings made in the summer. Despite potential hamperings, however, Slot still has a talented crop of players to select from, even if he is sparse on choice in some positions. The Dutchman, quite bluntly, must find a solution to Liverpool's recent form and soon if they hope to retain their title.