Liverpool’s season has taken a frightening turn.
This past weekend, the Reds were thumped 3-0 at Anfield by Nottingham Forest, a result that laid bare just how far off the pace Arne Slot’s side has fallen.
It was Forest’s biggest win at Anfield in their history and for Liverpool it represented a sixth league defeat in their last seven matches.
The reigning champions, flush with more than £400 million of summer signings, now sit in the bottom half of the table and look bereft of momentum.
Given that huge transfer outlay – including record signings like Alexander Isak (around £125 million) and Florian Wirtz (up to £116 million) – expectations were sky-high.
After Slot delivered the Premier League title in his first season, many believed he was building something special.
But now, with confidence evaporating and criticism growing louder, Slot needs to act fast to steady the ship. If he doesn’t course-correct, his season may not just be derailed – his job could be on the line.
Here are five critical mistakes Slot must fix – immediately – if Liverpool are to salvage their season.
1. Playing Wirtz in the wrong position
Wirtz arrived from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer amid huge fanfare, but in his 11 Premier League appearances for Liverpool so far, he has failed to register a single goal or assist.
Slot has primarily deployed him as a No. 10, but that appears to be dampening his influence.
At Leverkusen, Wirtz thrived as a left-sided inside forward in a 3-4-3, from where he had the freedom to drift inside on to his stronger right foot.
That role is not directly replicated in Slot’s 4-2-3-1, but to unlock Wirtz’s creativity, Slot should consider shifting him out to the left wing, giving him more space to work and the ability to roam infield.
If Liverpool generate width from elsewhere – whether via Milos Kerkez overlapping from left-back or by switching to a 4–3–3 with a left-sided No. 8 – Wirtz might begin to look like the world-class attacking talent they paid for.
2. Sticking with Konate despite his slipping form
Defensive solidity has been a recurring issue and Ibrahima Konate has been a major liability.
In the mauling by Forest, his performance was error-strewn: his touch failed him, he misread situations and he was eventually hooked.
Considering the scale of his lapses, Slot must seriously consider benching Konate. If his improvement does not materialise, Liverpool must look to the January window for reinforcements – especially after missing out on their top defensive target, Marc Guehi, during the summer.
Recent links to Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande suggest Konate’s struggles are forcing the Reds into action.
3. Mis-deploying Szoboszlai
Dominik Szoboszlai has been one of Liverpool’s more consistent performers, but Slot has strangely used him out of position, often at right-back, particularly when injuries bite.
This misplacement robs Liverpool of his greatest assets: his passing intelligence, his ability to drive the tempo and his vision in midfield.
Slot must bring Szoboszlai back into his preferred role – either as one of the two deeper midfielders in a 4-2-3-1, or as a No. 8 if there is a shift to 4-3-3.
Maximising Szoboszlai in the centre will give Liverpool much-needed control and balance in transitions.
4. Marginalising Federico Chiesa
Federico Chiesa has barely been trusted in the Premier League this season. Despite his track record of contributing clutch goals, he has yet to start a league game.
With Mohamed Salah now 33 and visibly struggling to replicate the form that defined last season, Slot would do well to rotate more aggressively.
Starting Chiesa – as a striker, winger or occasionally in place of Salah – could inject dynamism into the attack, while also preserving Salah’s legs and morale.
5. Overlooking Ekitike in favour of a struggling Isak
Arguably the most poignant issue is at the heart of the attack.
Liverpool broke the British transfer record to sign Alexander Isak, but he has looked a shadow of his former self: zero Premier League goals in his first five outings, limited touches and poor link-up play.
Meanwhile, Hugo Ekitike, another summer signing, burst into life early in the season but then faded once Isak was reinstated as the primary striker.
Slot must trust in Ekitike’s sharpness and give him a sustained run as the lead forward. This isn’t just about short-term recovery: by allowing Ekitike to lead, Slot may also help Isak gradually rediscover his rhythm without crushing pressure.
Slot was rightly lauded last season for guiding Liverpool to the title, but the narrative is changing rapidly.
A manager cannot rest on past glory when his side are unravelling in real time. The Forest defeat was not just a bad day – it was a symptom of deeper strategic miscalculations.
If Slot wants to rescue the campaign (and his job), he must face these issues honestly and act decisively.
Liverpool fans will be watching closely. The summer spending spree gave them license to dream, but without immediate corrections, the optimism could turn to regret.
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