Slot needs to drop Liverpool’s no-good players who lost the ball 19x vs Leeds

Liverpool began 2025 with a really entertaining 2-2 draw with Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United.

One other draw was on the menu in 2026, however it was a “robust” affair, as The Athletic’s James Pearce put it, with the ultimate scoreline being 0-0 between Arn Slott’s Reds and Daniel Farke’s Leeds United.

After 4 wins in all competitions, the lackluster hosts’ only one shot on the right track within the second half, courtesy of Lucas Perry, was a jolt of actuality for the reigning Premier League champions.

Florian Wirtz had hoped to show issues round at Anfield after scoring and helping him in opposition to Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers in December, however as soon as once more lacked confidence on the left in opposition to a tricky Leeds aspect.

Wirtz’s poor numerical efficiency

The previous Bayer Leverkusen attacker, hailed as “incredible” by Sky Sports activities pundit Daniel Sturridge in latest weeks earlier than the sport, could have been hoping to start out 2026 in the identical manner he ended a checkered 2025.

Sadly for the Anfield crowd, he was again to kind as he regarded timid in Liverpool’s entrance space in opposition to Leeds, and of the 4 pictures he took into Leeds’ well-defended web, just one truly went on the right track. One such effort was an amazing success within the first half.

What’s extra, Wirtz was unable to finish a dribble, despite the fact that he was capable of create a hoop across the Timberwolves’ protection and efficiently advance ahead seven occasions.

He additionally missed out on two of his three tackles on the night time, however it was a really weak show for a midfielder who wants to start out producing constant performances immediately if he’s to be thought-about worthy of his £116m price ticket.

It is going to be fascinating to see whether or not the Dutchman stands out within the left channel alongside Wirtz after a “surprisingly poor” efficiency. Codi Gakpo can even be in motion the subsequent time the Reds face Fulham.

However this choice problem is not the one one weighing on Slott’s thoughts.

Liverpool star wants to go away after Leeds

Defensively, Slott would have been pleased with gamers like Ibrahima Konate. The customarily unstable centre-back bravely gained all 10 video games and helped Alisson hold his one centesimal clear sheet within the Premier League.

Nonetheless, the 22-year-old’s tenth Premier League begin of the season dropped at thoughts one among his worst performances to this point, so there ought to have been much less pleasure at Conor Bradley’s efficiency at right-back.

Like Wirts, the Northern Irishman shone in opposition to Rob Edwards’ aspect, making 5 tackles and profitable a duel to maintain the Previous Gold at bay.

Nonetheless, in opposition to Leeds, the quantity 12 was removed from courageous on this division, profitable simply 50% of video games after the ultimate whistle, and alongside Bradley he continued to make zero challenges in opposition to a resolute Whites aspect.

As well as, Jeremy Frimpong dominated on the suitable aspect, consistently darting ahead, and solely had one profitable dribble, whereas Bradley delivered zero correct crosses into harmful areas, so that they weren’t very efficient offensively both.

Having given up possession 19 occasions inadvertently, Slott will not be assured in persevering with to guard the previous Bolton Wanderers loanee, and provided that Wirtz’s former teammate within the Bundesliga was himself one thing of a livewire, profitable 5 duels, Frimpong will doubtless be pushed again to the right-back place in opposition to Fulham.

Against this, each side of Liverpool have been cursed with off-performance performances on the night time, with even Wirtz holding the ball barely higher, with the high-profile signing giving freely the ball a complete of 15 occasions.

He’ll additionally accumulate a minimum of two vital passes to get away with the sport, however it’s nonetheless removed from an amazing efficiency from the frenetic and ruthless No.7.

Slott might be hoping for a extra full of life all-round efficiency from his aspect throughout their subsequent journey to Craven Cottage, as he cursed his crew’s lack of leading edge after the sport, with each Bradley and Wirtz susceptible to being dropped from his beginning plans.