A new report from senior journalists has given an insight into the Liverpool dressing room, claiming that Arne Slot has ‘moved away from a formal leadership group’.
After a summer of change and tragedy, Liverpool have performed significantly below expectations as new signings settle in and squad dynamics evolve.
Key to the Reds’ success in recent years has been the leadership of senior players, setting standards on the training pitch and helping to drive the squad on.
By the end of Jurgen Klopp‘s tenure, Liverpool had a “designated leadership group,” as the Athletic described it, featuring Virgil van Dijk, Mo Salah, Andy Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alisson.
Reporters Gregg Evans and James Pearce now say that “Slot has moved away from having a formal leadership group.”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, April 27, 2025: Liverpool's Andy Robertson, captain Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Alexis Mac Allister, Darwin Núñez, Luis Díaz celebrate after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 5-1 and became League Champions. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
In practice, this may not be too different on the surface, the Dutchman still looking for “universally-respected” skipper Van Dijk and newly-appointed vice-captain Robertson “to set the tone.”
Alisson is also “seen as a mature presence whose words carry significant weight,” as is Cody Gakpo.
The guidance of these players is more important than ever when the going gets tough and new players are taking time to adapt.
The journalists added of Van Dijk: “He makes a point of trying to help signings settle and offers advice on where in the area to live, which schools are best for players’ children, and good places to eat.
“Robertson contributes, too, and both have helped Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike — the club’s three most expensive buys this summer — adapt to life on Merseyside.”
Florian Wirtz takes ‘some criticism personally’ and attackers have “main character energy”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, September 20, 2025: Liverpool's substitute Florian Wirtz on the bench before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Everton FC at Anfield. The 247th Merseyside Derby. Liverpool won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
It is no secret that most of Liverpool’s new signings haven’t hit the ground running.
While performances have significantly improved of late, Wirtz hasn’t yet scored a goal and Isak has just one in the Premier League – hardly enough for the club’s two record signings.
“Wirtz in particular has felt disappointed by his slow start and taken some of the criticism personally,” reported the Athletic before added that Isak sits next to Curtis Jones in the dressing room and “is considered reserved by teammates.”
Despite Isak’s slow start to life on Merseyside, headlines in recent weeks have belonged to Salah.
He infamously said that he has been “thrown under a bus” by the club and suggested he should be guaranteed to start every match, following three games on the bench.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 13, 2025: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah tapping the badge after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Notably, Evans and Pearce wrote: “Those familiar with Liverpool’s squad, speaking anonymously to protect relationships, talk about a ‘main character energy’ within the attacking ranks now as Salah, Wirtz (who are stationed next to each other in the changing room), Ekitike, and Gakpo all have reasons to require validation in an expensively assembled team.
“When Liverpool’s on-field crisis was at its peak, there was a feeling among some players that the team had become a group of individuals.”
Whether that remains the case is up for debate. The introduction of big-money signings may have indirectly placed the emphasis on individuals rather than the collective.
Having won three and drawn two of their last five matches, the hope is that Liverpool are coming out of their rut, as the new faces begin to gel.
Squad dynamics always evolve over time. What is important, though, is that the ethos and work-rate behind Liverpool’s success is passed down to the next wave of players.