Liverpool’s Proper-Again Puzzle Beneath Arne Slot
Liverpool’s defence has been underneath scrutiny because the begin of the 2025-26 season, significantly at right-back. Arne Slot’s summer season signing of Jeremie Frimpong, for £29million, recommended a transparent first-choice answer. But the state of affairs is way from settled, with Conor Bradley additionally pushing for alternatives and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s long-standing position nonetheless casting a shadow over choices.
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Frimpong and Bradley each supply attacking qualities however will not be but convincing as constant defensive choices. Slot’s determination to deploy Dominik Szoboszlai at right-back within the Champions League conflict towards Galatasaray solely intensified the talk, particularly because the Hungarian gave away a decisive penalty within the loss.
Slot’s Stance on Bradley and Frimpong
With each right-backs now match, Slot addressed the problem in his press convention forward of Liverpool’s journey to Chelsea. His phrases mirrored a cautious strategy to gamers coming back from harm.
“I don’t suppose so [that Bradley and Frimpong are getting frustrated] in the mean time,” Slot defined. “Conor Bradley has been out with an harm in pre-season that introduced him into the season with an harm, and Jeremie Frimpong the identical.
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“He’s been out with an harm as properly, so I’d be stunned if gamers are complaining that they don’t play if they’re injured; that might be one thing new to me.
“They’ve got here again from their accidents, however like Alexander Isak, we don’t consider it’s attainable that when you’ve been out for 3 or 4 weeks with an harm, that you could play three or 4 video games in every week.”
Picture: IMAGO
Slot’s insistence highlights the problem of balancing restoration, health, and efficiency ranges, particularly throughout a relentless Premier League schedule.
Strain Constructing Forward of Chelsea Conflict
Liverpool head to Stamford Bridge this weekend sitting high of the Premier League desk. Slot has overseen a formidable begin to the season, however inconsistency has crept into sure performances. Latest checks towards Burnley and Arsenal recommended vulnerabilities, and Chelsea may exploit them.
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Mauricio Pochettino’s facet will not be of their finest kind, however with Joao Pedro main their assault, the Londoners stay able to troubling any defence. Liverpool can not afford to slide, as a failure to beat Chelsea would open the door for Arsenal to reclaim high spot.
Slot’s Problem to Keep Momentum
Liverpool supporters anticipate their facet to take care of dominance after final season’s Premier League triumph underneath Slot. But points such because the right-back dilemma remind us that the squad nonetheless requires steadiness and adaptableness. Chelsea, regardless of their inconsistencies, is not going to be a straightforward hurdle, and Slot should discover a profitable system that mixes resilience with attacking fluency.
Saturday’s sport at Stamford Bridge may form early momentum within the title race. Victory would reinforce Liverpool’s credentials underneath Slot, whereas something much less may hand rivals a gap they might eagerly seize.