Liverpool have been ‘discovered’. At the very least, that is what a number of the discourse across the Premier League champions’ wobbly begin to the season would let you know.
Curiously, for all of the noise round Liverpool’s struggles, they sit only one level behind first-place Arsenal after dropping back-to-back matches within the division. Their bitter defeat at Galatasaray within the Champions League needn’t be greater than an outlier.
However there isn’t any query that Arne Slot and FSG have work to do. The Reds lack fluency and verve, and after a record-breaking summer season of spending, issues are justified.
However, conversely, teething issues will not be irregular and nor are they an indicator of the gamers’ possibilities of long-term success at Anfield.
However enhancements, nonetheless, are wanted going ahead.
Liverpool’s new-look frontline
Liverpool have been crushed at Stamford Bridge earlier than the October worldwide break. Cody Gakpo cancelled out Moises Caicedo’s thumping first-half strike, however Slot’s facet lacked coherence and confidence within the closing levels and have been caught out on the flickering embers by younger Estevao Willian.
Tactically, the issues run by means of the squad, however the frontline nonetheless have not carried out to their traditional, anticipated customary, and the toils of Mohamed Salah function the grim illustration of that.
To date, £69m striker Hugo Ekitike is the one one who can maintain his head excessive, with Florian Wirtz particularly coming underneath scrutiny for his struggles since finishing a file £116m transfer from Bayer Leverkusen, since trumped by new teammate Alexander Isak.
|
Liverpool’s Frontline in 2025/26 |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Participant |
Apps |
Targets (assists) |
|
Hugo Ekitike |
10 |
5 (1) |
|
Mohamed Salah |
10 |
3 (3) |
|
Federico Chiesa |
6 |
2 (2) |
|
Cody Gakpo |
10 |
2 (2) |
|
Alexander Isak |
6 |
1 (1) |
|
Florian Wirtz |
9 |
0 (1) |
|
Rio Ngumoha |
5 |
1 (0) |
|
Information through Transfermarkt |
||
With a lot upheaval having taken place, there is a sense of ruefulness throughout the fanbase regarding the deal to promote Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich earlier than the penultimate yr of his contract.
The truth isn’t so easy, nevertheless it’s irritating to look at the 28-year-old achieve this properly in Germany nonetheless.
Liverpool could remorse promoting Luis Diaz
Changing Sadio Mane down the left flank at Liverpool was at all times going to be a tall order, however Diaz gave it a great go throughout his three-and-a-half years on Merseyside.
Arriving from Porto in January 2022, the Colombian worldwide. He gained the Premier League, two Carabao Cups and the FA Cup throughout his time in England.
Final season, having posted 17 objectives and eight assists throughout the 2024/25 marketing campaign, Diaz was instrumental for Slot, filling in at centre-forward in addition to his pure left-sided attacking function.
Now plying his craft for Bayern within the Bundesliga, Diaz has began off this new chapter in tremendous style, scoring six objectives and helping 4 extra throughout all competitions thus far. Terrific on the ball and scarily dynamic in assault, former Barcelona boss Xavi has hailed him as a “world-class footballer” with “blistering pace”.
Ten objective involvements far eclipse that of Slot’s Liverpool crop, and whereas the Premier League usually proves tougher than different divisions to unleash prolific performances on opponents with such consistency, it is nonetheless proof that Liverpool maybe jumped the gun together with his sale.
Liverpool’s imaginative and prescient is a daring one, and sporting director Richard Hughes has definitely recruited first-team stars this summer season with the potential to see the membership dominate for a few years to return.
However Diaz was an immense performer final season, ebbing and flowing in entrance of objective however at all times enjoying with focus and tenacity. He gained the Premier League.
Given the early-season points Slot has confronted, you wonder if he would possibly miss the Colombian’s electrical presence, zipping across the ultimate third.
