By Will Schofield
Copyright dailystar
There was a time when it seemed like Arne Slot could do no wrong.
And yet seven days is a long time in football, Slot’s Liverpool have gone from being five points clear and undefeated to teetering on the edge of crisis.
On Saturday afternoon, they dropped yet more points, and their once-comfortable lead has been breached. It was a performance far removed from the vintage Reds who strutted to the title last season.
Slot and Liverpool look almost like they’ve run out of ideas. In fact, it feels like the Dutchman is freestyling in the dugout trying to put square pegs in round holes in the hope that one of them will fit.
Ryan Gravenberch’s performances this season have been the standout in a poor crop – but he was removed from the base of midfield to play at the back.
It’s a mistake Slot keeps making, taking phenomenal footballers and playing the out of position – rendering them average at best – to try and balance out a team that boasts two £100million-men.
“This is all on slot btw, terrible subs. Why did Endo come on? Why is Salah and Gakpo still on? Why is Gravenberch CB? Poor poor from Slot,” one fan furiously shared on social media.
“Onside cause Gravenberch isn’t a CB, Slot ffs,” a second sighed as Chelsea netted a late winner. And another added: “Yeah we deserved to lose that…Slot has no idea what his doing with his formation and subs playing everyone out of position!”
Liverpool defined their season with last-minute goals, and for the past two Premier League clashes they have been dealt a taste of their own medicine.
Estevao was the man of the moment this time out – tapping home into an open net after a Marc Cucurella cross. Speaking on Sky Sports’ comms, Gary Neville said: “What celebrations here.
“Chelsea had back-to-back defeats before this game, but they were absolutely brilliant.
“For Liverpool’s Arne Slot, they’ve been sobered up in London and the title race has been blown wide open.”
It’s three defeats on the bounce for Slot in all competitions as the Reds limp into the international break.
And next up? The small matter of Manchester United.