After clinching the Premier League title last season, Liverpool entered the 2025/26 campaign with sky-high expectations. Those expectations only intensified following a busy summer transfer window that saw the arrivals of Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez.
However, Arne Slot’s second season in charge has started on a disappointing note. Liverpool’s 2-1 loss to Manchester United marked their third consecutive league defeat, sparking growing concerns about both form and squad balance.
Several big-name players, including Isak, Wirtz, Kerkez, and even long-time stars Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, have failed to hit their stride. Slot also appears to be struggling to find a system that gets the best out of all his attacking talents at once.
With the Reds’ title defence faltering, here are three bold tactical adjustments Slot could consider to revive their campaign.
One major issue so far has been defensive inconsistency. Assuming Alisson remains the first-choice goalkeeper when fit, Slot might look to stabilize his backline by making changes in the full-back positions. Bringing in the experienced Andy Robertson at left-back could ease the pressure on the underperforming Kerkez, while sticking with Conor Bradley at right-back would provide more defensive balance than Frimpong or Szoboszlai in that role.
In midfield, Alexis Mac Allister has struggled to find rhythm, and while he’s expected to regain form, Slot could try rotating him out temporarily. Curtis Jones has been one of the brighter sparks this season and might offer the composure and work rate needed during this rough patch.
Up front, record signing Isak has yet to open his Premier League account, so Slot could hand Ekitike a run in the starting lineup. The young Frenchman showed early promise before being dropped, and his energy and link-up play could reignite the form of Salah and Gakpo on the wings.
A change in formation could also be key. Switching to a back-three system would allow Kerkez and Frimpong to thrive as wing-backs, combining their attacking flair with the cover of three central defenders. Players like Gravenberch and Szoboszlai could contribute both offensively and defensively, while Wirtz—who excelled in a similar setup at Bayer Leverkusen—might finally settle into his rhythm.
Such a system would also free Salah from tracking back, positioning him closer to goal where he’s most dangerous. Slot could then rotate between Isak, Ekitike, and Salah in the two forward spots, making full use of his summer investments.
Interestingly, pundit Jamie Carragher has suggested that Salah should no longer be guaranteed a starting role—a notion that Slot could experiment with. In a setup without Salah, Frimpong could occupy the right flank, supported by Szoboszlai and Wirtz in advanced positions. Behind them, Mac Allister and Gravenberch could operate as a double pivot, shielding Van Dijk and Konate.
This approach would allow Isak and Ekitike to play together up front, with Wirtz pulling the strings just behind them. Salah’s reduced minutes could also help manage his workload as he enters the latter stages of his career—keeping him fresh for Liverpool’s biggest games ahead.
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