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Liverpool were missing Alexander Isak, Mo Salah, Hugo Ekitike and Alisson Becker in the 3-2 loss against Man United.
Michael Owen believes that Arne Slot will not look to work with a larger Liverpool squad despite the persistent injury issues this season.
The Reds fell to a 3-2 loss against Manchester United, which was their 11th defeat of an insipid Premier League title defence.
With Liverpool just fourth in the table and failing to add silverware to the Anfield trophy cabinet, head coach Arne Slot has come under pressure from sections of supporters. However, as things stand, Slot will remain in charge of Liverpool for the 2026-27 season.
One mitigating circumstance for the Reds’ lacklustre campaign has been their injury problems. Against United, Liverpool were without three key attacking players in Alexander Isak, Mo Salah and Hugo Ekitike while Alisson Becker, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Wataru Endo, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, Stefan Bajcetic and Jayden Danns were all absent.
Slot made a decision to work with a smaller group of senior players compared to the set-up that yielded the Premier League crown in his maiden campaign. And Owen reckons that the Dutchman will not look to change that in the summer transfer window.
Speaking on Premier League Productions, former Liverpool striker Murphy said: “Hindsight is obviously a wonderful thing, so you'd say yes in the scenario they are in at the moment with a lot of injuries. But that will not be the case under Arne Slot because he has already said he prefers a smaller squad and you take your chances.
“A big squad can give you a lot of problems. You have got to have a quality 17, 18 players and mae it up with a few promising kids and take your chances. If you get a load of injuries, it's obviously a problem. If you don't it's a very tight-knit squad. There are not many problems in terms of leaving people out, you can give players enough game-time and everyone is a lot happier. Having a big, bloated squad can cause as many problems as having a small squad with a few injuries.That's the way he likes and I've got no problem with that but you've got to keep everyone fit.
“He's going to have to do some surgery to the team. They spent an awful lot of money in the summer, money doesn't grow on trees at Anfield and absolutely there will be one or two players leaving. Having to spend all that money on the attack and with Salah going, it leaves a gaping hole and there are already less options that last season.”
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