Liverpool need to make huge changes after a sixth Premier League defeat in seven against Nottingham Forest.placeholder image
Liverpool need to make huge changes after a sixth Premier League defeat in seven against Nottingham Forest. | Getty Images
How Liverpool’s new-look line-up should look if Arne Slot hopes to turn the Reds’ season around as soon as possible
Things cannot continue as they are for Liverpool, as the Reds’ shocking run of form continued with a 3-0 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest, arguably their worst result yet this season.
The champions may have pointed to a difficult run of fixtures coinciding with a dip in form in recent months, but slumping to defeat at home to a side who started the day in the bottom three points to a bigger problem - which may turn into a major crisis if wholesale changes are not made by Arne Slot.
Changes of personnel and system could be the best way to halt the slide in the present, with the scope to go again in the January transfer market if major issues remain unresolved. Slot has several players in his starting XI who are not performing to expectations, and he may need to make some difficult decisions if the Reds are to turn things around and begin to pick up results again.
Slot must introduce new line-up to save Liverpool season
Slot must make major changes and introduce a new Reds formation and line-up if he is to avoid pressure ramping up with a continuation of their poor results in the weeks and months to come.
Alisson returned in the defeat to Forest and could do little about any of their goals. The Brazilian remains one of the best goalkeepers around and it will be a boost to have him back between the sticks after an extended period injured on the sidelines.
In front of Alisson, Virgil van Dijk must do more to lead and marshal the Reds defence - but he may be helped by the return of Joe Gomez as his central defensive partner, in place of the underperforming Ibrahima Konate. Gomez has waited patiently in the wings but deserves his chance to perform. Should he struggle, Slot may be forced to secure a new central defender in the January transfer window.
Elsewhere in the back four, Slot must stop deploying Dominik Szoboszlai from right-back. It is not his natural position and the Reds are losing out on some of the influence of arguably their best player so far this season by shifting him into defence.
Curtis Jones has previously proven that he is capable filling in the role, and would relish the opportunity to return to the side in the absence of injured pair Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong. At left-back, Andy Robertson has shown his experience and leadership qualities when stepping into the side ahead of Milos Kerkez, and should return to the XI after being dropped to the bench over the weekend.
Slot should introduce new formation to incorporate big-money trio
In order to see a change in fortunes on the pitch, Slot should change to a 4-1-2-1-2 formation which would give his three biggest signings of the season the chance to shine in Red.
Ryan Gravenberch has continued to put in solid performances for much of this season so far, and should be exclusively used in his usual holding midfield role, not at centre-back, where he found himself for the second half on Saturday. With Alexis Mac Allister and Szoboszlai in front of him in midfield, Slot will hope to recreate the perfect blend of composure, creativity and work-rate which made the Reds so dominant last season.
The use of a diamond-style formation would allow Florian Wirtz to start in his preferred central role without diminishing the creative presence of Szoboszlai, who can join the young German in forward areas when the Reds are dominating matches. Wirtz has struggled to find the space to cause havoc for much of this campaign so far and could just need one match-winning performance in the Premier League to see his Liverpool career turn around. Though he was out injured against Forest, the 22-year-old is reportedly aiming to be back in action within the next week.
Playing with a two up front would allow Slot to finally get Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike in the team together. The pair only started together in the Champions League victory at Eintracht Frankfurt, in which Isak was replaced with injury at half-time.
The £195million pair have both shone as part of a two up front in the past - Isak with Callum Wilson in his first season at Newcastle United, while Ekitike formed a strong bond with Omar Marmoush at Frankfurt - and the formation change could finally see Isak find his feet for the Reds, also allowing Ekitike the chance to shine after going five matches without a goal.
However, the change in formation would mean a drop to the bench for Mohamed Salah - who could hope to stake his claim for one of the two striker roles if he makes an impact as a substitute, in what would be a completely new role for the Egyptian during his time at Anfield.
Slot and his staff will hope that a change in formation will help Liverpool turn things around. Otherwise, major questions will continue to be asked of the Dutch head coach.
Liverpool new line-up (4-1-2-1-2): Alisson; Jones, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Wirtz; Isak, Ekitike.
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