Arne Slot looks on during a Liverpool matchplaceholder image
Arne Slot looks on during a Liverpool match | Getty Images
Liverpool have struggled at both ends of the park this season with one key problem being highlighted.
Liverpool’s starting XI almost picked itself ahead of the Premier League clash with Wolverhampton that ended in disappointment.
Seen as a chance to maintain momentum, all it did was raise more questions about Arne Slot’s long-term prospects as manager as a near first choice line-up huffed and puffed but did little else at Molineux. There was a shortage of inspiration and perspiration with another problem also emerging and highlighting why the summer transfer window can’t come soon enough despite spending over £400m last year.
Don Hutchison makes Liverpool depth observation
With Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak out of action, the Liverpool bench looked decidedly short of options for Slot and so it proved as he struggled to find a game changer to turn to. Other than Rio Ngumoha, there is a shortage of attacking spark with former Reds midfielder Don Hutchison pointing out what has gone wrong in the last 12 months.
Responding to a fan on X, the pundit suggested that the players who left Anfield recently haven’t been replaced: “It’s pretty obvious mate. The amount of talent (1st team players) that’s been sold is untrue and left A Slot well short… The bench last season. Gakpo, C Jones, Endo, Chiesa, Darwin, Jota, Gomez, L Diaz, at times Bradley, Quansah, H Elliot. Now it’s just mainly kids.”
Do Liverpool need more depth?
Hutchison is right. A lot of money might well have been spent last summer, but there is still a lot of work that needs to be done to add quality and depth. With Slot never trusting Federico Chiesa and only willing to turn to the Italy international if he is desperate, his options are even more limited when he is looking for a spark or someone who can produce a moment of magic.
What is frustrating, is that Ngumoha appears to be that player, however, the 17-year old is only ever seeing the last 10-15 minutes of games whilst Cody Gakpo can post a series of poor performances without any consequences. Liverpool need more wingers and they need a plan B because, at the moment, plan A isn’t consistent or convincing enough, or they need a manager who can get more out of the squad that Slot is struggling to get a tune out of.
Continue Reading