Is a major overhaul required from Arne Slot to turn Liverpool's fortunes around?
The dismal 4-1 defeat to PSV on Wednesday marked the team's ninth loss in its last 12 matches across all competitions, painting a grim picture for the head coach. In many respects, Sunday's trip to West Ham could be his most crucial team selection yet for Liverpool.
Choose the wrong line-up and doubts over his long-term suitability will only intensify. Slot made two changes from the team that suffered a 3-0 defeat at Anfield against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, with Alexander Isak making way for Hugo Ekitike and Giorgi Mamardashvili stepping in for Alisson.
Ekitike was one of the few bright sparks for the Reds before he had to be substituted due to a back injury, while Georgian international Mamardashvili could do little about the four goals conceded. The goalkeeper was frequently left vulnerable to significant threats from the Eredivisie team.
However, if Alisson is deemed fit enough for consideration, the highly-regarded Brazilian will undoubtedly reclaim his spot between the posts. This at least provides a solid foundation upon which to build a team.
The right-back position presents a conundrum. Curtis Jones was deployed there on Wednesday, allowing Dominik Szoboszlai to take up a more advanced midfield role. Given the Hungarian captain's impressive form this season, it seemed like the right decision, but Jones struggled in the unfamiliar role and voiced his concerns about the squad's lack of fight post-match.
Liverpool was thumped 4-1 by PSV
Liverpool was thumped 4-1 by PSV (Image: Getty Images)
With Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong unavailable, Jones might continue in that role, although Joe Gomez is another option. However, despite being officially fit, Gomez recently had a knee injection, as confirmed by Slot on Tuesday.
His readiness for Premier League action remains uncertain. Starting Gomez could be a gamble considering his limited game time over the past year, but the experienced Londoner is defensively reliable. Then there's the question of whether Andy Robertson should replace Milos Kerkez. The young Hungarian has been struggling, through no fault of his own.
Despite these challenges, Scotland captain Robertson remains Liverpool's most accomplished left-back currently. Slot needs to simplify things, and Robertson seems the logical choice after Kerkez's return coincided with seven goals conceded at Anfield in two matches.
Ibrahima Konate is enduring a torrid season, but with Gomez as the only other available center-back - considering his injection issues and lack of game time in 2025 - it's anticipated that the France international will be selected to play through his poor form. Despite Virgil van Dijk's performance dipping significantly against PSV, the Reds' skipper is expected to start alongside Konate.
With limited genuine options at center-back, there's no real alternative but for the current partnership to soldier on. The key question is what will Slot do in midfield? Ryan Gravenberch appears to lose confidence whenever Liverpool faces a setback, and Alexis Mac Allister has been underperforming all season, truth be told.
Could there be an argument for Wataru Endo to get a rare start? The Japanese captain could help strengthen the central areas as Liverpool strives to stem the recent flow of goals conceded. Florian Wirtz's fitness remains uncertain.
What about up front?
In the forward line, Federico Chiesa has demonstrated enough zeal and effort to spark internal discussions, while Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah continue to struggle. Isak remains largely unfit and a peripheral figure, but he may be compelled into action due to Ekitike's back spasms.
French international striker Ekitike responded affirmatively when asked if he was alright as he walked through the post-match mixed zone on Wednesday, but the striker's limping perhaps contradicted this positive non-verbal update.
Isak may not have hit his stride for Liverpool yet, but there's a reason he cost Liverpool a British record transfer fee and now would be an opportune moment to start demonstrating why he was so highly prized by both Liverpool and his former club Newcastle just a few months ago.
Players like Isak, Wirtz, Kerkez, and the rest of the squad were brought on board for the long haul, not just for weeks or months. However, this is the Reds' worst run of form since the 1950s, and they certainly didn't possess as talented a squad back then as they do now.
It's high time to halt this downward spiral. The title is undoubtedly out of reach. But if Champions League qualification also slips away, it will set Liverpool back years, no matter who's at the helm.