Former Premier League managers have shared their theory on Liverpool's collapse, questioning whether the dressing room has become split after the Reds suffered their ninth defeat in 12 games
Chris Burns Senior Sports Writer and Neil Docking
16:21, 27 Nov 2025
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot
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Arne Slot is under increasing pressure(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool might be grappling with a fractured dressing room following the summer's recruitment drive, according to a damning assessment from former Premier League manager Tony Pulis.
The alarming theory emerged during Pulis's appearance on The Managers podcast alongside fellow ex-top flight gaffer Mick McCarthy, as they dissected the Reds' current struggles.
Arne Slot's men hit rock bottom on Wednesday night after suffering a humiliating 4-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. The Merseysiders have now tasted defeat in nine of their previous 12 outings, heaping enormous pressure on their Dutch manager.
Liverpool splashed out as much as £450 million strengthening their squad this summer, with Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, and Giovanni Leoni all arriving at the club.
Pulis, who managed Stoke City for seven campaigns, suspects the Reds may be battling internal tensions just months after clinching the Premier League crown, with Slot potentially having to face the realisation his overhaul has failed.
Arne Slot
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Arne Slot's worst Liverpool fears are coming true(Image: Getty Images)
"I've watched them and there's something missing there," Pulis revealed to McCarthy. "As being a manager, you know as well as I do, things can flip so quickly and people will look at lots of reasons, have they brought the right people in?".
"Are the players, who are there, happy with the players they've brought in? Is there some animosity between the players coming in with the players who actually won the league last year, so early and so convincingly.
"Mick, I've worked in it, you've worked in it. Of course people want to know what other players are earning and what they're getting and everything else and that can destabilise the dressing room. Especially with players who have been at that club for a long time and been very, very successful at that club."
Pulis also suggested that wage inequality, sparked by reports that some of the Reds' latest arrivals are pocketing more than long-serving stars who have delivered whilst wearing the famous red jersey, might also be a contributing element.
"Players coming in, if they get the money and they earn it and they deserve it because they're making a difference I think the waves are not so strong", Pulis added.
Arne Slot
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Liverpool suffered a ninth defeat in 12 games
"But if they come in and they don't look as though they're helping people out and they don't look as though they're making a difference, those waves are going to start rolling over people, and I think that's happened Mick."
Pulis' assertions might hold some validity, though there have been no verified accounts of any unrest within the Liverpool changing room.
Liverpool's top wage earners are thought to be Virgil van Dijk, with the Dutch defender reportedly collecting £400,000-a-week. Mohamed Salah follows closely behind on £380,000-a-week after the duo penned fresh deals towards the conclusion of last season.
Wirtz is reportedly earning £200,000 per week. Meanwhile, Isak is said to have signed a six-year contract worth £300,000 a week, making both Isak and Wirtz the third and fourth highest earners in Liverpool's squad respectively.
New striker Ekitike is also believed to be on £200,000 per week. This puts the young player above title-winning stars such as Andy Robertson and Alexis Mac Allister, who are thought to be earning around £160,000 and £150,000 respectively, according to Spotrac.
Alexander Isak - Florian Wirtz
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Liverpool broke the British transfer record twice in a matter of weeks, signing Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz(Image: Getty Images)
Pulis suggested that Liverpool's dramatic dip in form could simply be due to a lack of effort. He stated: "Everybody is into stats today and talks about this, that and the other.
"Take away the football side of it, it would be really, really interesting to see what distance this Liverpool team are doing week in, week out, yardage and sprints, take the ball away to see what this lot have done compared to last year's team, the team that won the league, that would be my starting point."
The former West Brom manager concluded by saying Liverpool's "balance" is an issue, adding: "The second thing I would say is that the balance doesn't look right, from last year where they were so 'up and at them', everybody seemed in unison together as a team.
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"They played forward together, they got back behind the ball, they were an excellent side last year. They won a lot of games late on, that show's the spirit and determination. I'm convinced the balance isn't right."
Liverpool's next challenge is a Premier League face-off against West Ham at the London Stadium this Sunday, with Slot under intense pressure to secure a win.