Liverpool’s form is worrying at the moment. The English champions have now lost in four consecutive matches across all competitions, the latest coming against Manchester United at home last weekend.
The Reds have gone from having a perfect record in the league after five matches to remaining on 15 points after eight. Arsenal lead them by four points at the moment, which is definitely not an insurmountable lead, but it is Liverpool’s form that should keep Arne Slot worried. Slot is finding the going tough now after winning the league title last season.
In this article, we will discuss three changes that Slot should make to improve Liverpool’s form.
How Can Arne Slot Improve Liverpool’s Form?
#1. Playing Federico Chiesa in Place of Mohamed Salah From the Start
Mohamed Salah has been nowhere near his usual form over this season. The 33-year-old Egyptian has reached milestones for Liverpool in the past and is one of their greatest players ever. However, it is not enough at the moment, as his current form is not up to the mark.
The problem with Liverpool is that they no longer have Harvey Elliott in their squad, who could come on as a substitute to replace Salah and play on the right side of the midfield. As a result, Salah has been spending more minutes on the pitch than he should. Chiesa is the only other player in Liverpool’s squad, who can play as a right-winger.
The Italian, who has played in only 21 matches for the Reds so far, is a lot younger than Salah and hence, should get his chances to make his mark now. If he fails to deliver, then Slot might think of taking another call in that regard. However, at this point in time, Chiesa deserves a spot in the starting XI to help improve Liverpool’s form.
#2. Changing the Formation Against Lesser Teams
Liverpool have largely been playing with a 4-2-3-1 formation with Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister in the double-pivot. With Mac Allister not being at his usual best, this has not quite worked for the Reds.
Liverpool have been missing Mac Allister’s usual ability to spread the ball by playing passes. With Trent Alexander-Arnold not being in the side, they are already missing a quality passer. Hence, they could think of playing with a 4-3-3 with a lone defensive midfielder, who would be Gravenberch, and two central midfielders.
Slot then might think of playing Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones as two No. 8s to increase the mobility in the midfield. If Szoboszlai plays as the right-back, Jones and Florian Wirtz can play in the central midfield.
Especially against weaker teams, they will have to take that risk to be more aggressive. Playing with a lone No. 6 will be something of a risk, but Slot will probably have to do it in order to win matches.
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#3. Having Hugo Ekitike in Liverpool’s Starting XI
Hugo Ekitike played a key role in the Reds’ equaliser against Manchester United, yet again showing his utility to the team. On current form, Ekitike should be walking into the team instead of Alexander Isak. The Frenchman is Liverpool’s highest goal-scorer this season at the moment with five goals in 11 matches.
Isak has not been able to score with headers from set-pieces, nor has he been able to generate much pace and explosiveness in his movements in the final third.
Ekitike is faster and seems to be more potent in front of the opposition’s goal. Moreover, he has a better chance of getting to the end of the lateral passes played by Salah when his team break on the counter, as he has explosive pace.
Hence, it will make more sense to start Ekitike to improve Liverpool’s form. Dropping Cody Gakpo from Liverpool’s starting XI is not an option either, as the Dutchman is in great form.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Propaganda Photo
Recording Date: 19.10.2025