Daniel Sturridge was left confused after Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Sunderland, arguing that Arne Slot “doesn’t quite know his best XI” and changed his game plan.
“It’s going to take some time. I don’t think there’s a magic fix right now, to put my finger on one thing,” was Sturridge’s verdict in the Sky Sports studio.
“I think the manager, at this moment in time, doesn’t quite know his best XI.”
Slot had made just one change from the 2-0 win over West Ham three days previous with Dominik Szoboszlai again starting over Mohamed Salah on the right flank.
"The manager at this moment in time doesn't know his best XI"
Daniel Sturridge on what needs changing at Liverpool ? pic.twitter.com/Lq6bWC9b0U
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 3, 2025
But unlike the victory in east London a change in approach failed to pay off, and instead Liverpool were back to the usual slow, directionless football that has hallmarked this miserable run.
After a summer of tragic loss and £450 million of signings, it is clear that Slot finds himself at crisis point.
There appears no concrete plan in terms of Liverpool’s setup nor how best to use high-profile summer arrivals such as Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez.
And Sturridge believes Slot will be “seeking confidence and assurances” by switching up his side, having “changed what he would typically do.”
“Players are coming back and trying to find their fitness,” the former Liverpool striker acknowledged.
“Wirtz is trying to get sharp again; Isak’s not completely sharp at his level; we saw Joe Gomez come in tonight at right-back, he’s not been on the pitch starting games in a while.
“So collectively, players are finding their rhythm but the team’s finding their rhythm.
“And many people, including the manager, are probably seeking confidence and assurances that ‘this is what I’m going with, this is the structure’.
Sturridge: ‘Slot changed what he would typically do’
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, December 3, 2025: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Sunderland AFC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“This is probably the first time, today, that I’ve noticed that the manager has changed what he would typically do.
“So I think they’ve got to make a decision on what the structure is, which players he wants to go with and roll with it.
“And if the results don’t come…clearly, from what we’ve seen, the results aren’t coming right now.”
Liverpool now face a trip to Leeds on Saturday evening, to take on side which beat Chelsea 3-1 in midweek, with Slot expected to revert to his usual setup with Salah back in.
And if results do not change it will only compound a baffling loss of cohesion from a coach who just six months ago lifted the Premier League title.