Liverpool must now turn their attention away from the Premier League and look towards their FA Cup meeting with Brighton.
The Reds put an end to a poor run of form in the league with a 1-0 win over Sunderland on Wednesday.
Liverpool are catching Manchester United in the race for the top four, but Premier League commitments are now on hold for the next week.
Change my mind: Liverpool would be CRAZY to let Konate leave 😣
He is back to his best!
Ibrahima Konate battles with Brian Brobbey during Liverpool's Premier League match against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light (Credit: Getty Images/Stu Forster).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Stu Forster
Instead, the Merseysiders are set to take on Brighton and Hove Albion in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Liverpool beat Barnsley last time out, and with the league campaign going so poorly, this cup is now arguably the best chance Arne Slot has of winning a trophy in 2025/26.
Mohamed Salah still isn’t improving
It has been a trying campaign for Mohamed Salah, who lost his place in the XI at the back end of 2025.
The Egyptian has since returned to the side after competing at the AFCON, but he’s done little to indicate he’s back to his best.
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Fans are worried about Salah, and the focus of Liverpool’s attack is now shifting towards Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz, rather than the 33-year-old.
The reality for Slot, however, is that his hands are largely tied when it comes to the winger.
If Salah doesn’t start all the time, we have already seen post-Leeds United that he is capable of causing an issue.
Secondly, even if Slot were brave enough to drop the forward, who would actually start ahead of him?
Federico Chiesa has been underwhelming during the few games he has been given a chance to play more than a bit-part role.
Dominik Szoboszlai could be an option, but with issues at right-back remaining, the Hungarian will likely be needed in defence again.
Who was Liverpool’s best player in the excellent win over Sunderland, and why?
What a win!
Sunderland v Liverpool - Premier League
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Andy Robertson needs to play more
The Sunderland meeting saw Andy Robertson named as a shock inclusion in the team ahead of Milos Kerkez.
The Scotsman was immense on the night, and Liverpool’s backline looked much more solid.
Ally McCoist was ‘shocked’ Slot isn’t playing Robertson more, but there has been a need to try and embed Kerkez in as he will be the left-back for the future.
However, Liverpool’s long-time full-back is still a quality option and, unless he is given more minutes in the coming months, will likely leave for free in the summer, which, to be honest, feels premature and gives the Reds an unnecessary need to sign another defender.
Debate: Wataru Endo will leave a bigger legacy at Liverpool than Javier Mascherano
The Japanese may have played his last game for the Reds 😥
Liverpool's Wataru Endo pictured during the Premier League match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (Credit: Getty Images/Crystal Pix/MB Media).
Javier Mascherano sits on the pitch during Liverpool's Premier League match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (Credit: GLYN KIRK/AFP
Credit: Photo Credit: Getty Images/Crystal Pix/MB Media/Glyn Kirk/AFP
Who starts at right-back vs Brighton?
To the surprise of nobody, Liverpool’s right-back issues took another turn for the worse against Sunderland.
With Szoboszlai suspended, Wataru Endo started and then got injured in the second half of the win.
It means Joe Gomez is likely to be thrust back into the XI, probably far too early given his constant injury problems, for the Brighton tie.
This issue could have been avoided had FSG signed a right-back in January, but no new additions were forthcoming.
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