Arne Slot must drop these two players from his next starting XI. Liverpool’s next fixture is against Crystal Palace in the Fourth Round of the EFL Carabao Cup.
The Liverpool manager blamed his players for their loss against Brentford. He expected ‘some bumps’ due to new signings taking time to adjust. However he didn’t expect a run of four losses on the bounce.
Expressing disappointment at the loss Slot felt that his team has been always conceding first. This has been a pattern across the season as well. Most of their wins have been via late comeback goals.
Thus problems at the back persist with one new signing and an established player coming under the scanner.
Arne Slot needs to drop this duo
Slot needs to make some tough calls if he wants to stem the rot. He needs to find a winning formula before its late. You cannot win the title in December but you can certainly lose it. So if Liverpool plan to defend their title, they must act fast.
Milos Kerkez
Milos Kerkez scored a goal but gave away the ball easily against Brentford. (Credits: Imago Images)
The Hungarian international was to blame for Brentford’s opener. He was beaten to the ball by Dango Ouattara who finished to give The Bees the lead.
Kerkez pulled one back in the second half but he was far from perfect. Giving away the ball easily at times with almost little pressure. United legend Gary Neville had earlier described Kerkez as a ’10-year old boy’ in left back.
As of now things are not getting better for the 21-year old.
Ibrahima Konate
Ibrahima Konate has been shaky at the back this season (Credits: Imago Images)
For Brentford’s second goal, Konate failed to track the run of Kevin Schade. The forward ran through and scored to double the lead. The Frenchman appeared to have given up when Schade was about to shoot.
Liverpool would rather have a committed man at the back rather than someone who gives up. In second half as well he looked off colour. With his contract coming to an end, it may be smart to give Joe Gomez the chance.
Give Gomez and Robertson a run
The Englishman Gomez did come on in late and so did Robertson. While both didn’t have enough opportunity to prove themselves, but Liverpool did not concede when they were on the pitch.
Robertson played came in right after Brentford’s third, with Gomez joining the action with seven minutes to go. Although the Scotsman is not as defensively sound as he was, it will still be better than what Kerkez has shown so far. He is also a better option going forward.
As for Gomez, he can be given the opportunity to prove himself and pair up with Van Djik. Stability is what Slot needs and Gomez might just be the answer.
