Arne Slot confess he cant fix this he is leaving after another olayer confirmed injured before todays match

Liverpool are in trouble. That’s the simple truth no one wants to admit. Four straight defeats have thrown Arne Slot’s project into early crisis, the atmosphere around Anfield feels heavy, and every upcoming fixture now looks like a test of survival rather than a step toward glory. But in football, the beautiful thing is that everything can change quickly — one strong performance, one big win, and the entire mood can shift. The Reds know that, and as they prepare for their European clash against Eintracht Frankfurt before returning to Premier League action against Brentford, they are desperate for a reaction.

The 2-1 defeat to Manchester United at Anfield was a turning point — not just because of the scoreline, but because it exposed the deep cracks in Liverpool’s system. The defensive shape looked confused, key players seemed out of rhythm, and Arne Slot’s decisions were heavily questioned. Fans have already begun asking tough questions: will Slot continue to rely on Mohamed Salah, whose form has been a shadow of his best days? Can he fix the chaos down the flanks where Liverpool have looked most vulnerable? These are the questions dominating Liverpool discussions this week.

But while tactical problems can be fixed, there’s a much more worrying issue in the squad right now — the injury to Ryan Gravenberch. It’s the kind of setback that shakes the entire midfield balance. The Dutch midfielder, who has been one of the brightest parts of Slot’s side, limped off against Manchester United with an ankle injury, and the timing couldn’t be worse. Slot confirmed before the match that Gravenberch was fully fit after his early substitution for the Netherlands during the international break. Yet fate had other plans.

Now, Liverpool are staring at the possibility of being without one of their most crucial midfielders at a time when the team is already struggling. Gravenberch has become essential to how Slot wants Liverpool to play — controlling the tempo, linking defense and attack, and bringing the kind of calm energy that defines a proper number six. Without him, that entire structure could collapse.

The numbers tell part of the story. Last season, under Slot, Gravenberch was consistent and influential — 37 matches, four assists, and an 89% pass completion rate. This season, before the injury, his stats showed even more improvement: more touches, more accuracy, more involvement in duels. He was finally becoming the midfielder Liverpool fans had dreamed about when he first arrived from Bayern Munich. Losing him now feels like a nightmare repeating itself — another moment where injury strikes just when things start looking positive.

So, who replaces him? That’s the question haunting Arne Slot’s mind this week. The first name that comes to mind is Alexis Mac Allister. The Argentine has played as a deep midfielder before and has the technical ability to control games from there. But this season, he’s been far from his best. His positioning has been questionable, his physicality lacking, and analysts have not been kind. Raj Chohan, a respected football analyst, bluntly said that Mac Allister “cannot” solve Liverpool’s current midfield problems. That’s a harsh assessment but one that many fans agree with.

Then there’s Dominik Szoboszlai, another key figure in Slot’s midfield plans. His work rate and energy are valuable, but Slot has occasionally had to use him at right-back — a strange experiment that fans haven’t fully understood. If Szoboszlai continues to cover defensive duties, then that leaves a big gap in central areas. And that’s where Curtis Jones enters the conversation.

Curtis Jones, Liverpool’s own, the Scouser in the squad, and one of the few academy graduates still fighting to make his mark in this new Liverpool era. Over the years, Jones has shown flashes of brilliance — calm on the ball, fearless in tight spaces, and full of intensity. He might not have the superstar reputation of Gravenberch or the tactical reputation of Mac Allister, but what he brings is something Liverpool desperately need right now: stability and passion.

Jamie Carragher once called him “Wijnaldum-esque,” and that comparison might be more accurate than ever. Like Georginio Wijnaldum, Jones plays with control rather than chaos. He doesn’t rush decisions, he keeps possession smartly, and he links play with intelligence. According to FBref data, Jones ranks among the top 2% of midfielders in Europe’s top leagues for pass completion and also scores high for through balls and goal-creating actions. In short, he’s efficient and creative — a rare mix in modern football.

Slot knows he has a player with both quality and identity in Jones. Last season, Jones played 33 league games and contributed directly to seven goals as Liverpool won the Premier League title. He was reliable, disciplined, and consistent. This season, he’s been on the fringes, starting just once in the league — a decision many fans now believe needs to change.

Curtis Jones is not just another midfielder; he’s a local heartbeat. With Trent Alexander-Arnold now gone to Real Madrid, Jones is the last homegrown symbol left in the squad. His connection to the fans, his understanding of what the badge means, and his willingness to fight for every inch make him more than just an option — he’s an emotional weapon.

His strengths go beyond statistics. Jones offers something intangible: balance. He doesn’t overcomplicate play, he covers spaces others neglect, and he presses with intensity. Jurgen Klopp’s former assistant, Pep Lijnders, once called him “a physical machine,” and that description still fits. He can handle the dirty work, shield the defense, and still push the ball forward with purpose.

In Liverpool’s defeat to Manchester United, when Jones came off the bench in the second half, analyst Sam McGuire noticed an immediate difference. The team’s pressing intensity improved, and their transitions became sharper. It wasn’t enough to turn the game around, but it showed what Jones brings — calmness under pressure and a natural sense of rhythm.

For Slot, this week’s training sessions are about making brave decisions. The obvious solution is to move Mac Allister deeper, but the smarter one might be to trust Jones in that deeper number six role. He’s done it before, he understands Liverpool’s system, and he has the engine to make it work.

If Liverpool are to fix their midfield problems, they need someone who can recycle possession, win duels, and maintain balance between defense and attack. Gravenberch provided that, but Jones can too — maybe not in exactly the same way, but with his own twist.

Of course, there are risks. Jones has not played consistently this season, and throwing him into such a crucial European fixture could backfire if he’s rusty. But football rewards courage, and Slot needs to show that now more than ever. Liverpool cannot afford a fifth consecutive defeat; the psychological damage would be enormous.

A loss against Frankfurt could destroy confidence completely, and the trip to Brentford right after that looks like another potential trap. The players are tense, the fans are restless, and the pressure on Slot is rising. This is the kind of moment that defines a season — and sometimes, a manager’s career.

Liverpool’s midfield is the heart of their identity, and right now, that heart looks fragile. Slot must find a way to revive it. Bringing in Jones could do more than just replace Gravenberch — it could re-energize the entire team. He represents fight, resilience, and connection. He knows what it means to wear red and walk out to You’ll Never Walk Alone.

The numbers are in his favor too. His progressive passing, his ability to carry the ball through midfield, and his knack for keeping possession under pressure all make him a strong candidate. He might not score many goals, but he makes others around him better. That’s what Liverpool need now — someone who helps the team flow again.

Every successful teahas that one player who quietly keeps things together, the one who does the small jobs that make the stars shine. Wijnaldum did it under Klopp. Gravenberch was starting to do it under Slot. Now, maybe it’s time for Curtis Jones to carry that torch.

Liverpool’s current crisis isn’t just about bad form; it’s about lost confidence and broken rhythm. The early part of the season saw them winning games through late goals and sheer determination, but that spark has faded. The structure is gone, and the belief is slipping. Slot must bring that back, and he needs players who understand Liverpool’s DNA to do it.

Jones fits that perfectly. He’s not a new signing who needs time to adapt. He’s not a superstar who plays for personal glory. He’s a player who grew up watching the club, dreaming of moments like these. If Slot gives him that responsibility, it could be the spark Liverpool need.

Because sometimes, solutions don’t come from outside — they come from within. Liverpool’s greatest eras have always been built around their own: players who understand the city, the fans, the struggle. Curtis Jones embodies that.

As Liverpool prepare for Frankfurt and Brentford, Slot will be under enormous pressure. But he still has the tools to fix things. Jones could be the quiet answer to a loud crisis — a player ready to step up when others have faded.

If Liverpool are to rise again, they must rediscover their balance and their belief. Curtis Jones might just be the key to unlocking both.

Football is full of cycles. One week you’re written off; the next, you’re back in contention. Slot knows that a single win can rewrite the narrative. Liverpool’s story is not over yet — it’s just waiting for someone to remind them what they stand for.

Jones might not be the headline name, but sometimes heroes appear from the shadows when the lights burn brightest. For Liverpool, that moment might be now. And if he steps up to replace Gravenberch and leads the team back to form, the story of this season could still end in redemption, not regret.