Every time Liverpool lose, Arne Slot comes under pressure, but especially when he makes calls that leave fans and pundits scratching their heads.
One such call was present during Liverpool’s sickening loss to Brighton, and former Red Stephen Warnock was quick to point it out.
There weren’t too many players on the away side playing at a level worthy of praise, but two of the better performers were confusingly switched at a pivotal time in the game.
Who was the worst performer for Liverpool against Brighton?
You can always count on these two!
Slot moved Dominik Szoboszlai to right-back and released Jeremie Frimpong further up the pitch. But as Warnock points out, it did Liverpool no favours.
Stephen Warnock questions Szoboszlai/Frimpong swap vs Brighton
Liverpool were doing well late in the first half and early in the second. That was in large part due to the play on the right flank, where Frimpong played behind Szoboszlai.
Maybe it was Hugo Ekitike going off injured, but Slot decided more pace was needed up top.
Once that change occurred, though, Brighton started finding joy down that side, culminating in Danny Welbeck sealing his brace after a cross from that side that had both Szoboszlai and Ibrahima Konate out of position.
Warnock told BBC Sport: “It was a phenomenal goal. The only thing that I can’t get my head around is why are you now reverting to putting Szoboszlai at right-back, because Frimpong had done quite well with him in the first-half, so what had Arne Slot seen and thought to make changes?”
It’s not the first time this season that Slot’s alterations — particularly down the right side — have left his side worse off.
Another defeat. What went wrong today?
Abject. Miserable. Dispiriting. Just another Liverpool game.
Peter Crouch sums up Liverpool’s struggles
After the game, Peter Crouch claimed Brighton escaped a red card, but he wasn’t excusing a poor Liverpool performance.
He shared his verdict on TNT Sports: “Liverpool lacked a cutting edge, they looked vulnerable.”
Pretty succinct, and hard to argue with. After Liverpool dominated Galatasaray, we expected more from this seaside excursion. Alas, it’s more dropped points and a threat of losing ground in the race for the Premier League top five.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
