Arne Slot faces concern as Liverpool leak goals at an alarming rate this season
The Reds are not having the best time of late, with three consecutive losses leaving many fans extremely worried ahead of their clash with Manchester United on Sunday.
One of the biggest problems Liverpool have faced is their defence, which has looked unusually open compared to previous years. Each opposition attack seems to cause panic and expose gaps across the backline.
Liverpool have already conceded nine goals in the league, a figure that is seven more than they had at this stage last season. The numbers clearly show that Arne Slot’s side have regressed defensively since the summer.
While there are many theories about what has gone wrong, Alan Pardew believes that the team’s struggles began when Slot made one major decision — dropping one of his most reliable players.
Alan Pardew Believes Arne Slot Was Wrong to Drop Andy Robertson
The Reds underwent a great deal of change during the summer transfer window, but perhaps the biggest adjustments came in the full-back positions.
Trent Alexander-Arnold departed for Real Madrid, while Andy Robertson was demoted to a secondary role. That meant two experienced campaigners who once defined Liverpool’s attacking style were no longer key parts of the system.
This has disrupted the rhythm and chemistry of the backline, especially with Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong both struggling to find their footing since arriving at the club.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Alan Pardew explained why he feels the decision to drop Robertson has played a huge role in Liverpool’s recent decline. “They haven’t really played one great game,” Pardew said. “He’s made a lot of changes. They’ve got great talent in and around the team, but changing the two full-backs has been an issue. Andy Robertson has been absolutely brilliant this week for Scotland.”
Andy Robertson Must Start Against Manchester United
Pardew’s words echo the thoughts of many supporters who feel that Robertson’s leadership and reliability have been sorely missed. Kerkez clearly has potential, but the young left-back has not settled quickly enough to make the position his own.
His poor display against Chelsea only highlighted his current struggles, making a strong case for Slot to take him out of the spotlight for a short period.
With such a high-stakes game coming up against Manchester United, Slot will need experience and composure at the back — two qualities Robertson brings in abundance.
The Scottish captain recovered from a knock to feature twice for his national side during the break, impressing on both occasions. That form could be enough to earn him a recall at Anfield, giving Kerkez time to regroup and regain confidence.
Robertson’s return would not only restore balance defensively but also reignite Liverpool’s attacking threat down the left-hand side. Slot needs leaders on the pitch — and few embody that role better than Andy Robertson.