Arne Slot urged to drop Liverpool flop who looked completely out of his depth against Manchester United

Arne Slot may need to seriously rethink his lineup after Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United at Anfield. The loss marked a fourth consecutive defeat for the Reds, and changes could be necessary if they are to regain momentum.

United struck early when Bryan Mbeumo capitalized on space behind Virgil van Dijk to fire past Giorgi Mamardashvili inside the first minute. Liverpool pushed for a response — Cody Gakpo hit the post, and Alexander Isak saw his effort denied by Senne Lammens. Gakpo eventually levelled after the break, but Harry Maguire’s header soon restored United’s lead, leaving Slot with more defensive questions to answer.

Among the underperformers, Milos Kerkez stood out for the wrong reasons. Signed from Bournemouth for £40 million as Andrew Robertson’s long-term successor, the 21-year-old struggled throughout the contest and could now be at risk of losing his place. United repeatedly targeted Liverpool’s left side, with Amad Diallo and Mbeumo exploiting gaps between Kerkez and Van Dijk — an issue highlighted by BBC Sport’s Stephen Warnock.

Kerkez’s lack of defensive composure was compounded by minimal attacking impact. A foul throw early in the game summed up his shaky display, while his overall performance lacked the energy and drive once synonymous with Robertson’s play down the flank.

Supporters voiced their frustration online, with many branding Kerkez Liverpool’s “weakest player.” Comments included: “Kerkez is so poor,” “Kerkez is a dud,” and “No brain, no speed, no defence.” Others pointed to wider problems across the team, while some called for Robertson’s immediate return despite concerns over his fitness: “Kerkez looks so out of his depth — I’d rather Robbo starts, even if his legs are gone.”

With confidence visibly draining from the young left-back, Slot faces a critical decision. Persisting with an out-of-form Kerkez could do more damage than good, and restoring Robertson to the starting lineup may be the change Liverpool need to stop their slump.