Arne Slot must fix these four issues to earn his new Liverpool deal

Robin Bairner

10 Oct 2025 12:55 BST
5 min read

Liverpool are in talks with manager Arne Slot over a new contract, but while the Anfield club are rushing to tie down the future of the Dutch boss, for the first time since he arrived on Merseyside, he finds himself facing multiple problems.

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Three successive defeats prior to the international break marked a notable downturn in Liverpool’s fortunes, yet the performances of the Reds had pointed this way since the beginning of the season.

Yes, they’ve been winning, but it’s often been by fine margins after mixed performances.

The Reds would argue that they are in a season of transition following a massive summer spend. Critics will snipe back that more is expected of a team into which a record sum of talent for one window has been injected.

It’s starting to look like taking over from Jurgen Klopp was the easy part for Slot. After all, it was more or less the German’s side that he led to the Premier League title with a few small tweaks. Now he has built his own team, and the pressure is on them to respond.

Four issues in particular are plaguing Slot and Liverpool.

Unlock Wirtz

No prizes for guessing that this was going to be top of the list.

Florian Wirtz has yet to shine since making his €125 million move from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, with no Premier League goals or assists yet for the German star.

He’s a wildly talented player and someone who is bound to make a positive impact sooner or later, but at present he looks lost. Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has even advocated for him to be dropped.

It’s Slot’s job to ensure Wirtz doesn’t just avoid becoming a transfer flop - which few seriously believe will be the case - but to actively become the key player everyone knows he is capable of being.

Current ETV

Florian Wirtz

AM, M (C)

Liverpool

Florian Wirtz

AM, M (C)

Liverpool

ETV Range

€102.8M - €171.3M

Beat the Salah slump

It was always going to be hard for Mo Salah to replicate his record-setting exploits of 2024/25, but after signing a new contract late last season, the Egypt international has not looked close to his best.

A return of three goals and three assists from 10 matches is not what fans have come to expect from the 33-year-old.

Finding a way to inspire him back towards his best will be crucial for Liverpool’s trophy aspirations.

STATS

Mohamed Salah

F, M (R)

Liverpool

Mohamed Salah

F, M (R)

Liverpool

10

Games
3

Goals
3

Assists

Solve the Isak-Ekitike conundrum

Although there’s not yet a problem in the centre-forward position, Slot will have to use all his man-management skills to stop one developing between record signing Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike.

The form of the France striker is posing an unexpected question to the Reds. He has been on fire since the start of the season, having been given game time due to the late arrival and lack of fitness of Isak.

Ekitike has responded positively. He has five goals and an assist in 10 total appearances and is performing to the standard of a starter.

Isak, meanwhile, has had around half the minutes of his new rival but has directly contributed to only two goals – one of which was against Southampton in the Carabao Cup.

On current form, Ekitike is the better player and deserves the No.9 shirt, yet Isak did not strike at Newcastle just to sit on the Anfield bench.

Slot has to find a way to keep both happy and has previously suggested a left-wing role for the Frenchman. Will this be enough?

Compared

Hugo Ekitiké

F (C)

Liverpool

Hugo Ekitiké

F (C)

Liverpool

VS

Alexander Isak

F (C)

Liverpool

Alexander Isak

F (C)

Liverpool

€75.3M	ETV	€140.1M
€67.7M - €82.8M	ETV Range	€105.1M - €175.1M
23 years old (20 Jun, 2002)	Age	26 years old (21 Sep, 1999)
France	Nationality	Sweden

Recruit smartly at centre-back

Another looming question for Slot will come in the middle of defence. An overhaul will be needed here over the next 18 months, with the contracts of both Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk expiring over that period.

Konate is struggling for form, having had his head turned by Real Madrid, while Van Dijk at 34 is in the twilight of his career.

Giovanni Leoni had been expected to be their heir, yet after suffering a serious knee problem, questions will naturally rise over his ability to fulfil his potential.

Now do Liverpool move for Marc Guehi or someone else entirely different in January? The answer to this question is likely to play a key role in shaping the success of Slot’s legacy.

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