Liverpool have another “big issue” ahead of West Ham clash

Liverpool are in unprecedented territory in the intervening time and there are not any present indicators of issues getting higher for Arne Slot.

The Reds returned to Champions League motion final night time once they hosted PSV Eindhoven beneath the lights at Anfield.

It was a chance for Slot to get again on observe after a string of defeats within the Premier League, however the end result was all too acquainted to what supporters have seen repeatedly up to now this season.

Virgil van Dijk gave away a penalty after a handball within the field, which gave PSV a head begin within the opening minutes, nonetheless an equaliser from Dominik Szoboszlai gave the Anfield trustworthy hope.

Sadly, the identical points offered themselves as the sport progressed and Liverpool ended up struggling a humiliating 4-1 defeat.

The stress has by no means been so extreme for Slot, and the membership finds itself in uncharted waters with the Premier League-winning supervisor.

The Merseyside giants have by no means sacked a supervisor after profitable a home title, and they are going to be getting determined for the Dutchman to seek out the solutions earlier than they should make troublesome choices about his future.

There are a number of points which have induced unrest at Anfield, and the gamers on the pitch additionally bear a stage of accountability and blame for the present scenario.

Past the lacklustre performances, Liverpool are with out a number of key gamers by harm and that’s enjoying an element within the lack of depth out there from the bench.

The newest concern is new striker Hugo Ekitike, who has been one of many higher summer season signings since his arrival, however he wanted to be hooked early within the second half resulting from a again downside.

Talking in his pre-match convention forward of the Premier League conflict with West Ham United on Sunday afternoon, Slot gave an replace on Ekitike’s harm.

The Liverpool boss informed the media:

“They don’t anticipate that it needs to be an enormous challenge, however the video games come quick so let’s see for the weekend.

“But it surely shouldn’t should be an enormous challenge.”

Will Hugo Ekitike begin towards West Ham?

Whereas Slot’s replace was comparatively obscure on the precise date that Ekitike shall be again, it’s a promising signal that there is no such thing as a long-term harm to the France worldwide.

The attacking menace has massively suffered with Mohamed Salah discovering it troublesome to get again to his standard goal-scoring kind – an space of the pitch that shall be additional depleted when the Egyptian winger heads to AFCON within the coming weeks.

Certainly, Alexander Isak is match and able to play within the striker position, so there is no such thing as a rapid stress for Ekitike to return on Sunday.

Liverpool will face West Ham, Sunderland and Leeds United within the area of every week.

Slot shall be hopeful that Ekitike will be capable to make an look sooner or later over that interval, and will discover it simpler to handle his relaxation by not together with him this weekend.

With all thought of, there are way more urgent points for the Reds at current and getting outcomes would be the solely factor on the minds of supporters.

There’s nonetheless time to cease the rot, however the room for error is shrinking quick, Slot doesn’t want perfection; he wants momentum and factors, so the stress is immense.

How Liverpool reply within the coming week may affect the rapid and long-term way forward for the membership.

Rebekka Arnold

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Rebekka Arnold is an skilled author with a robust background in digital media, PR and soccer journalism.

Since 2021, Rebekka has written opinion items and match response content material for Soccer Fancast, a part of the Snack Media community, constructing on her rising presence within the soccer group by viral Twitter content material and podcasting.

Now at Switch Tavern, Rebekka brings her sharp eye for evaluation and deep ardour for the sport to ship partaking soccer opinion and breaking switch information content material.

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