Liverpool supporters are not looking forward to watching their team one bit this winter.
The Reds are on their worst run of form for more than 70 years having lost nine of their past 12 fixtures.
Wednesday’s 4-1 capitulation against PSV Eindhoven at Anfield was the latest in that terrible string of results, leaving Arne Slot on the brink of being sacked.
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Liverpool are in their worst run of form since the 1950s with 9 defeats in 12 matches
❌ 4-1 vs PSV Eindhoven
❌ 3-0 vs Nottingham Forest
❌ 3-0 vs Man City
✅ 1-0 vs Real Madrid
✅ 2-0 vs Aston Villa
❌ 3-0 vs Crystal Palace
❌ 3-2 vs Brentford
✅ 5-1 vs Eintracht Frankfurt
❌ 2-1 vs Manchester United
❌ 2-1 vs Chelsea
❌ 1-0 vs Galatasaray
❌ 2-1 vs Crystal Palace
Slot has looked like a dead man walking in the Liverpool dugout over recent matches, with the Dutchman seemingly unable to make the necessary changes to get the Reds back to winning ways.
Despite a dismal performance against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, Slot made just one change to the team against PSV. Injuries are playing a part, meaning the Liverpool head coach cannot make wholesale changes game on game, but there is one switch he can make to instantly win back some credit.
Federico Chiesa must finally start in the Premier League
Cody Gakpo was one of the worst performers against PSV, but no matter how poorly the Dutchman plays, he is almost always in the team come the next match.
After the horror show Gakpo inflicted fans to against his former side this week, that now has to change.
Federico Chiesa sits on the Anfield turf during Liverpool's UEFA Champions League match against PSV Eindhoven
Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images
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Hugo Ekitike is injured and looks set to miss the weekend, meaning Slot has one less option on the left of the attack. This should open the door for Federico Chiesa to finally make his first Premier League start.
Chiesa is a hugely popular figure amongst supporters, and despite his limited minutes, consistently shows more desire, hunger and energy than most of his teammates combined.
Should Liverpool sack Arne Slot?
Arne Slot following Liverpool v Nottingham Forest - Premier League
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
With Gakpo in such dismal form, there is no excuse for Slot not to give Chiesa a chance. The Italian came on again on Wednesday and almost scored. He makes things happen.
The longer the former Feyenoord boss continues to ignore Chiesa, the more annoyed supporters are going to become. Slot can give himself an easy win by throwing the 28-year-old in against West Ham on Sunday.
Slot has nothing left to lose
It may well be that Chiesa comes into the starting line-up and performs no better than Gakpo.
However, Slot has now reached the point in his reign where he no longer has anything to lose in that respect.
He has to try something different, and with injuries preventing change in other areas of the pitch, the left wing is one of the few areas in his control.
Chiesa has clear quality, and even if he does not directly contribute, his energy and enthusiasm could at least rub off on his teammates and get Liverpool back firing again.
Putting the popular Italy international in at last would also show supporters that Slot is finally starting to shake off some of the stubbornness which has arguably led to this disastrous run of form. There is no downside anymore for Liverpool, but plenty
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