Liverpool’s story this season has already turned into a rollercoaster of emotions, and it is only the beginning. When Arne Slot came in to replace Jurgen Klopp, many fans thought it would take years for the Dutchman to build his own identity at Anfield. But to the surprise of critics and doubters, Liverpool adapted quickly and produced a powerful season that ended with the Premier League title returning to Merseyside. That early success gave everyone the feeling that the Slot era would be smooth and dominant. Yet football is never a straight line, and this season has already shown cracks in the perfect picture.
Slot was backed in the transfer market like never before. Last summer, Liverpool dipped into their resources, bringing in big names like Florian Wirtz, the young German superstar who was billed as one of the future Ballon d’Or contenders. He was joined by other reinforcements as Liverpool prepared to not just defend their Premier League crown but also challenge Europe’s finest. However, something feels off in the team this season. The fluidity and control that made Slot’s first year such a fairytale have not been visible. Instead, Liverpool look like a side still trying to figure out the puzzle pieces.
The defeats in recent weeks have underlined that. Liverpool are still fighting, the mentality is still there, but when you play at the highest level, mentality alone does not win you games. Tactics, balance, and performance matter. Right now, Slot has several players underperforming, and if that does not change quickly, Liverpool’s season could be heading for trouble.
The name on every fan’s lips is Florian Wirtz. When Liverpool agreed to pay £116 million to Bayer Leverkusen, it was not just a signing, it was a statement. Liverpool were saying to the world that they could attract and afford the brightest stars in world football. Wirtz, at only 22 years old, was meant to be the creative heartbeat of this team for the next decade. He even started his career in red with a beautiful assist for Hugo Ekitike. But since that moment, the German has struggled. Nine matches have passed, and Wirtz has failed to register a goal or assist. His performances have been quiet, lacking the spark and magic that made him so feared in the Bundesliga.
Of course, there is still belief that he will shine. Wirtz is too talented not to come good, and his creativity is already showing in numbers, with 21 chances created for Liverpool across competitions. In fact, no Premier League player has created more chances than him since the summer. The raw numbers suggest the quality is there. What is missing is the final execution, the goals, and the assists that change games. For now, fans are growing impatient, wondering when the real Wirtz will show up.
While Wirtz has struggled for consistency, another player’s situation is perhaps even more worrying. Ibrahima Konate, the French defender once seen as the future of Liverpool’s backline, is out of contract at the end of this season. Real Madrid are circling, watching closely, and Liverpool know that if they lose him for free, it will be a painful blow. Konate has already been guilty of too many mistakes this season. The confidence seems to be missing, and with young Giovanni Leoni injured long-term, Liverpool cannot afford their defensive rock to crumble. The durability and solidity of the centre-back pairing is crucial for Slot, but right now, that foundation looks shaky.
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Then there is Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian king has been Liverpool’s saviour countless times, but even he has started this season quietly. At 33 years old, Salah is no longer the unstoppable force of five years ago, and although he can still score and create, the early signs this season are that he is struggling to carry the team alone. But Salah’s slow start has not been the biggest problem. The biggest problem is a player who has been called Slot’s most trusted lieutenant, Alexis Mac Allister.
When Liverpool signed Mac Allister from Brighton for £35 million in 2023, it was one of the smartest transfers in recent years. He had just won the World Cup with Argentina, and his intelligence, work rate, and passing quality quickly made him a fan favourite. Under Slot last season, Mac Allister was everywhere. He was breaking up play, controlling the midfield, linking defence and attack. He was hailed as a superstar by pundits, and even former Chelsea player Joe Cole described him as one of the key engines of Liverpool’s system.
But this season, everything has changed. The numbers tell the story. Last season, Mac Allister averaged over 55 touches per game. This season, he is down to just 48. His key passes have dropped from 1.3 per game to 0.8. His tackles and interceptions, once the backbone of his game, have halved. Even his ground duels, where he used to fight and win, have dropped in success rate. It is clear that something is missing. He does not look sharp, he does not look hungry, and he has not been able to impact matches.
The Argentine looks like a shadow of himself. He has not scored, he has not assisted, and his energy seems drained. When you compare him to Wirtz and Konate, at least those two have shown flashes of quality despite their struggles. But Mac Allister has shown nothing. He has not been protecting the defence like he did last season, and he has not been creating chances in attack. For a midfielder who was meant to glue the whole team together, his drop in form is alarming.
Slot faces a big decision. Does he continue to trust Mac Allister, hoping that he will eventually find his form, or does he make the bold choice to drop him? Against Galatasaray, Curtis Jones came into the midfield and delivered an industrious performance, full of energy and fight. That kind of display is exactly what Liverpool have been missing from Mac Allister. If Slot is brave enough, he might need to take his star out of the firing line and give him time to reset.
The problem for Slot is that Liverpool cannot afford to wait too long. The Premier League does not give breathing space. Arsenal, Manchester City, and even Chelsea are pushing hard at the top. A few bad weeks could cost Liverpool their entire season. The longer Mac Allister continues to underperform, the more Liverpool suffer in midfield. Without control, without energy, the whole system falls apart.
Fans are divided. Some believe Mac Allister deserves patience. They argue that after a long summer, including international duties, he may simply be tired and needs time to recover physically and mentally. Others are less forgiving, pointing out that football is about performances, not reputations. Slot is already under pressure after recent defeats, and if he keeps relying on players who are not performing, the criticism will only grow louder.
Liverpool’s season now feels like a puzzle full of unanswered questions. Will Wirtz finally deliver the goals and assists everyone expected? Will Konate cut out the mistakes and commit his future to Liverpool instead of Madrid? Will Salah rediscover his sharpness? And most importantly, will Mac Allister find his lost energy and help Slot’s midfield function again?
One thing is certain: Liverpool’s story under Arne Slot is still being written, and it is not going to be easy. The Dutch manager showed last season that he could lead a team to glory, but now he faces a bigger challenge—dealing with big personalities, expensive signings, and fans who expect nothing less than perfection. Every decision he makes in the coming weeks will shape not only this season but also his long-term legacy at Anfield.
The truth is painful but simple: if Liverpool want to fight for titles again, some tough calls must be made. Dropping a superstar is never easy, but sometimes it is necessary. Slot may need to take Mac Allister out of the lineup, not because he has no future, but because the team cannot carry passengers right now. Liverpool need warriors, fighters, players ready to give everything in every duel. Until Mac Allister proves he is back to that level, he may have to watch from the sidelines.
And that is the drama of Liverpool right now. A team full of talent, a squad filled with champions, yet a group struggling to find balance. The Premier League is ruthless, and Liverpool must wake up quickly. For Slot, the honeymoon is over. The real test of his reign has begun, and whether he passes will depend on how he handles stars like Mac Allister, Wirtz, Konate, and Salah.
Liverpool fans know better than anyone that their club is built on resilience. Time and again, they have risen from the ashes of disappointment. They will hope that this is just another chapter in that story, a chapter that will eventually lead to another triumph. But for now, all eyes are on Slot, and all questions are directed at the struggling stars who must rise or risk dragging the team down.
