In Istanbul, where the stands were adorned with Galatasaray’s colors and chants from their fans, Liverpool once again fell into the trap of repeated mistakes, losing 1–0. This defeat compounded their recent loss to Crystal Palace and raised sharp questions about the team’s direction.
Jamie Carragher, Liverpool legend and analyst for Sky Sports, didn’t hesitate to dissect the issue. He asserted that Arne Slot’s team no longer resembles a top-tier side, but rather plays “basketball, not football,” with matches turning into chaotic back-and-forth contests
lacking control or balance.
Speaking passionately after the match, Carragher noted that Liverpool has shifted from being a disciplined and pragmatic team last season to one overloaded with new stars who have added little offensively, while defensive performance has notably declined.
He emphasized that Slot—who enjoyed a dream season last year, winning the Premier League—must now “earn his paycheck” and prove he can fix the problems. Carragher recalled Liverpool’s collapse against Newcastle with 10 men and the number of chances Crystal Palace created, more than any other team in the league so far. To him, the outcome wasn’t surprising—it was the logical result of early warning signs.
Carragher didn’t stop at general criticism. He singled out specific players, placing Florian Wirtz at the top of the list for necessary
changes. The young German, signed for £100 million, has neither scored nor assisted in the league or Champions League. Despite his talent and long-term potential, Carragher believes temporarily benching him could restore balance. “The team lacks balance, and the clearest example is Wirtz,” he said firmly, adding that Liverpool must return to last season’s formula to regain solidity and confidence.
Carragher also revealed he had warned Slot from the very first match against Bournemouth, where eight players surged forward while leading 2–1—something he called “shocking” and uncharacteristic of elite teams. He stressed that the issue isn’t solved by signing a new center-back, but lies in the team’s overall structure: attacking full-backs and a No. 10 who neglects defensive duties, unlike Dominik
Szoboszlai last season. In his view, if Liverpool continues this approach, they won’t be able to win the title.
The situation is worsened by injuries. Alisson Becker’s exit due to injury means losing a key defensive anchor. Hugo Ekitike’s absence adds to the attacking dilemma, especially with Alexander Isak not fully fit. At the back, Ibrahima Konaté delivered another weak performance, exploited by Victor Osimhen in Istanbul. On the right flank, Dominik Szoboszlai struggled against the pace of Barış Alper Yılmaz, while Jeremie Frimpong failed to impress
raising questions about his suitability for an unfamiliar role.
Amid this chaos, Mohamed Salah remains a puzzling figure. The Egyptian star hasn’t shown his usual brilliance and started on the bench in the Champions League for the first time in three years. This raises concerns: is it a matter of managing his minutes or a dip in form? Either way, the situation is troubling.
Despite all these issues, Carragher pointed out that Liverpool still tops the Premier League—but asked, “For how long?” The luck that saved them
in late-game moments has vanished in the last two matches, and the midfield, once a strength, has become a weakness. Ryan Gravenberch made costly errors and lost most of his duels, Wirtz struggled in individual battles, and Alexis Mac Allister is still regaining fitness after a disrupted preseason.
In summary, Carragher believes Liverpool is facing an identity crisis, and Slot is now facing a real test unlike anything he encountered during his successful first season. Fans aren’t just looking for attacking flair—they want the organization and resilience that once made the team champions. With a showdown against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge looming, time is running out for experiments. “Either Slot finds solutions quickly, or the title defense will collapse before it truly begins.”
For Carragher, Liverpool is facing an identity crisis, and Arne Slot is now undergoing a real test—one that’s unlike anything he encountered during his successful first season. The fans are no longer just waiting for flashes of attacking brilliance; they want the return of structure and resilience that once made the team champions.
And with the Chelsea clash at Stamford Bridge fast approaching, everyone understands that there’s no time left for further experimentation: “Either Slot finds solutions quickly, or Liverpool’s title defense will collapse before it truly begins.”
