Liverpool’s season is veering dangerously off track, with Sunday’s 2-1 loss to Manchester United marking a fourth successive defeat and prompting major questions about Arne Slot’s leadership and the club’s direction.

Slot, who replaced Jurgen Klopp in the summer, has spent heavily nearly £450m on signings meant to refresh a title winning side. But eight games in, Liverpool sit fourth in the Premier League table, four points off leaders Arsenal, with major tactical imbalances and no settled starting XI in sight.

Among the most pressing concerns is the form of Mohamed Salah. Once Liverpool’s reliable talisman, the 33-year-old scored just three goals in 10 matches, with none from open play since the opening weekend. His seven-game drought without a non-penalty goal is the longest of his Liverpool career.

The Egyptian’s influence is waning, and his reluctance to track back has further exposed a fragile right side of defenses. With critics like Wayne Rooney questioning his work ethic, Slot faces a major decision: does he dare drop Salah in a bid to reset the attack?

Forwards Misfiring: Isak vs Ekitike Dilemma

Elsewhere in the frontline, £125m signing Alexander Isak has yet to score in seven appearances. Summer recruit Hugo Ekitike, who started brightly with five goals in eight games, has found himself sidelined since his controversial red card in the Carabao Cup a dismissal Slot labelled “stupid.”

Isak, visibly short of match sharpness after missing pre-season, was ineffective against United, registering just 19 touches in 71 minutes. His replacement, Federico Chiesa, offered more threat and provided assist for Liverpool’s only goal.

With Isak struggling and Ekitike benched, Slot must weigh whether to reinstate the Frenchman or even trial both strikers in tandem to revive Liverpool’s scoring threat.

Wirtz Struggles to Settle

Florian Wirtz, another high-profile addition at £116m, has failed to make a significant impact. Despite a full pre-season, the German has yet to score and has only one assist  from the Community Shield loss to Crystal Palace.

Deployed centrally behind the striker, Wirtz seems stifled compared to his freer role at Bayer Leverkusen. The adjustment has disrupted Liverpool’s previously cohesive midfield trio of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch.

Curiously, Wirtz leads the league in chances created per 90 minutes among players with more than 200 minutes played. Yet, Slot continues to bench him, raising the question: is he misusing one of his most creative talents?

Right-Back Crisis Looms

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure to Real Madrid left a void at right-back that has yet to be convincingly filled. Jeremie Frimpong, signed for £29.5m, was expected to step in, but started only once. Instead, Conor Bradley and Szoboszlai a natural midfielder, have rotated in the role.

That flank has become a glaring weakness. A league high 38.1% of opposition attacks have targeted Liverpool’s right side. Frimpong and Bradley offer little defensive security, while Salah’s minimal tracking back leaves them exposed. Chelsea and Manchester United both exploited this space to decisive effect.

“The right-back situation is a mess,” said pundit Chris Sutton. “Frimpong isn’t a defender, Szoboszlai is wasted there, and Bradley lacks consistency.”

Kerkez and Van Dijk Under Fire

On the opposite flank, £40m signing Milos Kerkez has failed to outperform Andy Robertson, who has been dropped to second choice. The Hungarian’s aggressive positioning frequently leaves gaps behind, putting Virgil van Dijk under pressure in central defenses.

Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté, meanwhile, have looked unconvincing. Defensive errors have crept in, and Liverpool have already conceded 11 goals, a stark contrast to just three at the same stage last season.

The team has managed only two clean sheets, and five of the goals conceded have come from set-pieces a vulnerability Slot has yet to resolve.

“Defensively I’m concerned about Liverpool,” Sutton added. “Kerkez hasn’t been an upgrade, and Slot still doesn’t know his best XI.”

Slot’s Selection Crisis

The recurring theme across Liverpool’s problems is uncertainty. Slot’s rotation and tactical changes have disrupted the rhythm of a team that last season swept to a Premier League title with style and structure.

With key signings underperforming and tactical decisions under heavy scrutiny, Liverpool’s next match is critical. Another defeat would mark their worst run since 1953 and could place Slot’s project under even deeper pressure.