Carragher urges Slot to take decisive action as Kerkez faces scrutiny amid Liverpool struggles
Liverpool’s turbulent October continues to test Arne Slot’s authority at Anfield, with mounting pressure following a string of poor performances. After suffering a fourth consecutive defeat – a 2-1 home loss to Manchester United – the reigning Premier League champions now face a stern test of character both domestically and in Europe.
Kerkez under the microscope
Summer signing Milos Kerkez has found himself at the centre of growing debate. The Hungarian left-back, who arrived with promise after impressing in the Eredivisie, has endured a difficult start to life at Liverpool. Despite displacing Andy Robertson in Slot’s line-up, Kerkez’s displays have drawn criticism, with some suggesting he has yet to earn the trust of his team-mates.
Former Reds defender Steve Nicol was particularly forthright in his assessment, arguing that the 21-year-old’s nervousness on the ball has disrupted Liverpool’s rhythm. “It’s not just what it’s doing to the back line,” Nicol said. “When players hesitate to pass to him, it affects the entire flow of play. You can see the uncertainty – they look up, see Kerkez, and often choose to go elsewhere. That hesitation gives opposition teams time to reset.”
Slot, who prides himself on high-tempo, possession-based football, now faces a delicate decision: persist with Kerkez and allow him to adapt under scrutiny, or restore Robertson’s experience to stabilise the defence. Either choice carries weight, particularly given Liverpool’s pressing need to regain form and confidence.
Carragher offers tactical insight
Jamie Carragher has weighed in with his own perspective on how Slot might steady the ship. Speaking on Monday Night Football, the former Liverpool vice-captain analysed how the Dutch coach could reshape his attack to accommodate key signings such as Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz.
Carragher suggested that Liverpool’s issues stem not just from individual errors, but from a tactical imbalance. “Slot’s got an embarrassment of attacking riches, but right now, it doesn’t quite fit together,” he explained. “He needs to think like a manager who’s had to juggle big talents before – adapt the system, make it work for the players he’s got.”
Drawing comparisons to Carlo Ancelotti’s adaptability at Real Madrid, Carragher proposed using Wirtz in a more central role – a position that could open up space for Kerkez to push further forward. “You can’t leave a player like Wirtz out for too long,” Carragher added. “If he tucks inside, it gives Kerkez the width, allows him to overlap, and maybe rebuilds some of that confidence he’s lacking right now.”
Injury setback adds to Slot’s challenges
Liverpool’s on-field issues have been compounded by injuries, with Ryan Gravenberch the latest casualty. The Dutch midfielder suffered an ankle injury in the defeat to Manchester United, ruling him out of this week’s Champions League clash with Eintracht Frankfurt.
His absence is a significant blow for Slot, who views Gravenberch as integral to the balance of his midfield. Without him, Liverpool lose an element of control and vertical drive that underpins Slot’s transitional play.
Slot’s pivotal moment
As Liverpool prepare to face Frankfurt, Slot finds himself at a crossroads. A victory could restore belief and silence some of the growing doubts, but another poor display might deepen the sense of unease.
Kerkez’s form, Gravenberch’s injury, and the question of how to integrate Liverpool’s big-money attackers all add complexity to the Dutchman’s early months in charge. For now, the path forward demands pragmatism — a recalibration of both personnel and tactics to reignite the intensity and trust that once defined Liverpool’s play.
Carragher’s comments echo a broader sentiment around Anfield: that adaptability, more than anything, will define Slot’s success. Whether he chooses to stand by his new recruits or revert to the tried and trusted, the decisions made in the coming weeks could shape Liverpool’s season — and his own tenure — for months to come.
