Liverpool manager Arne Slot has been advised to address a key weakness in his team — and the solution, according to former Premier League coach Alan Pardew, might be sitting right on his bench.
The Reds have had an inconsistent start to the campaign, losing two of their opening seven Premier League matches and three across all competitions — a noticeable dip for the defending champions who suffered just four league defeats throughout last season’s title-winning run.
Much of that inconsistency, Pardew believes, stems from Liverpool’s constant reshuffling in defense.
> “They haven’t really put together one dominant performance yet,” Pardew shared on talkSPORT’s Final Word. “There’s a lot of talent in that squad, but the constant changes at full-back have really affected their rhythm.”
⚽ Robertson’s Absence and the Defensive Dilemma
The former Newcastle boss singled out the decision to leave out long-serving left-back Andy Robertson as one that has disrupted Liverpool’s balance. Since the arrival of Milos Kerkez last summer, Robertson — once a key figure in Liverpool’s backline — has started only twice this season, featuring in both the Champions League and League Cup.
On the opposite flank, the picture is even more uncertain. Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong, and even midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai have all been tested at right-back as Slot searches for stability.
“Robertson was outstanding for Scotland this week,” Pardew added. “When you’ve got players performing that well at international level, they should be part of the conversation at club level too.”
⚡ Salah’s Slow Start — But Not for Long?
Liverpool’s star forward has also struggled to hit his usual heights, managing only three goals and three assists from ten appearances so far this term. Since renewing his contract in April, his overall output has dipped to nine goal contributions in 17 matches — a far cry from his previous form.
Still, Pardew expects a turnaround.
> “He’s not been at his best recently, but he’s the kind of player who can explode back into form at any moment — especially in a big fixture like the one coming up,” he predicted.
🏟️ Eyes on Anfield
Slot will be hoping for just that as his side prepares to host Manchester United at Anfield — a clash that has historically favored Liverpool, with the visitors winning just once in the league since 2018.
With pressure mounting and questions over his defensive decisions, the coming weekend could prove a defining moment in Slot’s early reign — and perhaps the perfect opportunity for one of his sidelined stars to make a statement
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