Liverpool face potentially losing two important squad members due to Arne Slot’s treatment, which could significantly hamper their plans for the summer transfer window. The Reds endured their worst week under Slot after crashing out of the Champions League and losing the Carabao Cup final over the course of four days. Having been comfortably the best team in England this season, it was inevitable that their level would drop at some point as they stroll towards their second Premier League title. No team is perfect and no manager makes the right calls 100 per cent of the time, but as debut seasons go, Slot can claim to rivalling Premier League icons Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho, who also won titles with Chelsea in their debut campaign.
Yet, it may be too late for the 46-year-old to repair the damage done after freezing out two useful players in Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa. If their 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United last Sunday taught him anything about his side, it’s that his substitutions can make a genuine impact on the game. Until Elliott and Chiesa were introduced in the 74th minute for Luis Diaz and Ryan Gravenberch, Liverpool had struggled to provide anything resemblant of a threat to the Newcastle goal – a trait rarely witnessed from Slot’s men this season. Of course, Liverpool fans may point to the smash-and-grab first leg win against PSG in the Champions League whereby they faced 29 shots and still walked away from Paris with a 1-0 win.
The common demonator from those two fixtures is that Elliott came off the bench late on and turned the game on its head. Against PSG, he kept his cool and slotted past Gianluigi Donnarumma to spark wild celebrations on the Merseysiders’ bench. Then at Wembley, he sliced open the Newcastle defence with a neat through ball and Chiesa finished expertly.
If Slot had taken a chance on the 21-year-old from the start, things might’ve turned out differently. Hindsight is golden, but the wear and tear was evident amongst his Liverpool stars.
Salah had zero shots and failed to muster up a key pass for the first time in his 392 games at the club. As much as he has defied his age this season, the exhausting schedule Liverpool have been forced to contend with would catch up with the world’s fittest player – let alone a 32-year-old. Dominik Szoboszlai lacked the zest he usually possesses, Alexis Mac Allister was blowing more air through his cheeks than a clown at a children’s birthday party.
Slot had used his squad superbly earlier in the season, changing Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor Bradley around. Jarell Quansah deputised for Ibrahima Konate, Kostas Tsimikas filled in for Andy Robertson. But Elliott has started four games in all competitions and none in the Premier League, while Chiesa has been scarcely used at all.
Fans have been left scratching their heads, especially when Salah is starting to experience a slight dip in form.The pair are primed to head for the Anfield exit this summer, with Elliott almost certain to have a queue of clubs lining up to sign him. Chiesa is poised for a return to his Italian roots less than a year after his £12million switch from Juventus.
Their departure will no doubt weaken Liverpool and, unless Slot is planning to promote players from the academy, they will need replacing to ensure their squad depth isn’t weakened.
It may not be too late, however, if he uses them more frequently in the final weeks of the season.
