Goalkeeper Alisson Ramses Becker of Liverpool during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between Galatasaray A.S. and Liverpool FC at Rams Park Stadium on September 30, 2025 in Istanbul, Turkey. Istanbul RAMS PARK STADIUM Turkey Copyright: xSeskimphotox Gsaray-Liverpool-3009 108
Arne Slot was on cloud nine following Liverpool’s seven-game unbeaten run across all competitions. However, what the Dutchman didn’t see coming was the structural weakness building up even through those seven games.
Liverpool started their 2025/26 campaign with a defeat against Crystal Palace. Despite the upset at Wembley, Slot’s men went on to go seven games unbeaten in dramatic fixtures.
The problem, though, wasn’t the wins but the way the team won them. The Reds usually took early leads but then followed them up with slips.
However, somehow they ended up making it count in the final minutes of the game, with someone saving them from sharing the spoils or facing a defeat.
Carragher recently commented on the pattern as the former Red believes that Liverpool aren’t playing like a top team, “This has been coming. This is not a shock. And the manager needs to fix it.”
Alisson Becker injury and Hugo Ekitike fitness
Another blow that the Merseysiders faced against Galatasaray was losing two players. The Reds face Chelsea in three days, but unfortunately, they might be without their first-choice keeper and latest attacking addition.
Talking about Alisson Becker, who went time during the game, Slot also spoke regarding his probability of showing up against Chelsea.
“Normally, he will not be able to play on Saturday. That’s 99.9 per cent – I’ve already said 100 per cent, but let’s make it 99.9, think it’s 100.”
French striker Hugo Ekitike also overstretched as the club is assessing his availability. Slot also talked about Hugo’s situation as the Dutchman was clueless during the incident.
“I think at that moment in time, on the other side, there was someone on the floor as well, so the referee blew his whistle and I wasn’t even thinking we had an injury, but Hugo felt something.”
Quiz: Can you name these 10 Liverpool players from the 2000s?
Arne Slot to face weakened Chelsea
Following two back-to-back defeats, Slot definitely knows there’s a problem. The Reds face Chelsea next as they travel to London again after facing two defeats this season in the capital.
The Blues, however, aren’t with eight players, and the number might be topped up to eleven. Despite the setback, they won against Benfica thanks to an own goal from Richard Rios.
Liverpool will be without Giovanni Leoni and will be hoping to get back Federico Chiesa following the latter’s knock against Crystal Palace. It will be interesting to see if Slot runs any experiments against a weakened Chelsea, as whatever he is doing clearly isn’t working right now.
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