Liverpool clashed with Burnley in a Premier League meeting on Saturday afternoon, aiming to make it 12 games unbeaten.
The Reds most recently beat Barnsley 4-1 in the third round of the FA Cup.
A comfortable scoreline in the end, but Liverpool’s performances have continued to concern.
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This game, against a side with just three wins all season, was a good chance for Arne Slot to prove any doubters wrong and have his team playing fast, creative, attacking football and blow a struggling team out of the park at Anfield.
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Florian Wirtz playing for Liverpool vs Burnley
Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images
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Liverpool started the tie well and should have been 1-0 up when Dominik Szoboszlai stepped up to the penalty spot.
However, the Hungarian’s blunder was quickly erased from memory after some good work from Hugo Ekitike led to Florian Wirtz making it 1-0 shortly before the break.
But Burnley started to grow into the game from the 60th minute and were back on level terms shortly via Marcus Edwards.
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Liverpool’s squad depth is concerning
Slot provided a Liverpool injury update in the build-up to the fixture.
He confirmed only three players were out of action long-term, including Conor Bradley and Alexander Isak.
At this stage of the season, that is not bad, especially as one of the missing players is 19-year-old Giovanni Leoni, who was unlikely to be starting regularly anyway.
Yet, when looking at the matchday squad, there was a serious lack of depth available off the bench.
As has been common this term, Slot selected a number of youth players, none of whom really had any chance of impacting the game.
Yet, it’s expected Liverpool will be quiet in the January transfer window, a stance that makes no sense given the Reds are still competing in three competitions this season.
What is your message to Arne Slot after Liverpool’s clash with Burnley?
12 games unbeaten, but it feels like Slot is on thin ice…
Arne Slot during Liverpool vs Burnley at Anfield
Credit: Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images
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Cody Gakpo will always be key under Arne Slot
For some time now, Liverpool fans have expressed their displeasure at Cody Gakpo.
Gakpo has been called predictable amid his desire to constantly cut inside and shoot.
Milos Kerkez improved when playing with Florian Wirtz off the left while the Dutchman was out of action recently.
But it’s become clear that Slot is keen to play his countryman whenever he has the chance.
Arne Slot faces a long-term problem
With Gakpo once again a key asset following his return from injury, a long-term solution is rearing its head.
Liverpool were light on attacking options recently due to Mohamed Salah being at the AFCON, Gakpo being sidelined, and Alexander Isak also injured.
However, Salah will finish his stint with Egypt this weekend before returning to Anfield next week.
But how is Slot, who can’t afford to drop Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike due to their form, going to fit Salah, Gakpo, Wirtz, Ekitike, Szoboszlai and Isak (once he’s back), into the same front four without impacting the balance of the team?
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