Gary Neville has voiced his concern over Liverpool’s alarming decline, urging head coach Arne Slot to take action. Following a dismal 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at Anfield, Liverpool’s situation looks dire. This loss marks their sixth defeat in just seven Premier League matches, the worst start to a season since 2014.
Concerns Over Liverpool’s Performance
Captain Virgil van Dijk has echoed the sentiment, urging teammates to reflect on their performances. Slot, acknowledging the team’s struggles, stated he must evaluate his approach. Currently, Liverpool has lost 50% of their league games this season and is 13 points behind their standing at the same time last year.
Neville’s Unacceptable Analysis
Neville expressed his disbelief that a club of Liverpool’s stature could suffer such a downturn. He emphasized that losing six out of seven matches is unacceptable and that managerial changes may be necessary. “The manager has to change the style or the system,” he stated, highlighting the need for a more solid approach.
Team Adjustments Needed
- Consider adjusting player positions: Joe Gomez at right-back and Andy Robertson at left-back.
- Adopt a narrow back four for a more pragmatic defense.
- Focus on individual player fundamentals such as sleep, diet, and training details.
Increased Pressure on Slot
Neville acknowledged Slot’s successful first season, which included winning the Premier League after taking over from Jürgen Klopp. However, he stressed that difficult decisions must be made to address the current issues. “Players must step up, or it will become a problem,” Neville warned.
Performance of Key Players
Concern over Liverpool’s star players missing in action has intensified. Mohamed Salah started the game well but underperformed as the match progressed. Federico Chiesa outshone him despite playing significantly fewer minutes.
Alexander Isak failed to make an impact, losing all seven duels he contested. Alexis Mac Allister missed a crucial chance that could have shifted the game’s momentum. The Anfield crowd expressed their frustration as the team, despite holding 74% possession, conceded three goals.
Upcoming Fixtures
As Liverpool faces mounting pressure, the upcoming matches will be critical:
- November 26: PSV Eindhoven (H), Champions League
- November 30: West Ham (A), Premier League
- December 3: Sunderland (H), Premier League
- December 6: Leeds (A), Premier League
- December 9: Inter Milan (A), Champions League
With Liverpool in crisis mode, Arne Slot’s managerial decisions will be scrutinized as the team seeks to end this troubling run and rejuvenate their season.
