After a record-breaking summer of high-profile signings, Liverpool’s early-season form looked like the dawn of a new era. But a sudden string of defeats has cast doubt over Arne Slot’s ability to mold his star-studded squad into a title-winning unit. Club legend Jamie Carragher has compared the transfer window to a “Real Madrid summer”—a phrase that captures both the glamour and the growing headaches at Anfield. Meanwhile, Paul Scholes believes the Reds’ recent dip is temporary, emphasizing the loss of key defensive figures as the real issue.
A Fast Start Turns into a Sudden Slump
Liverpool kicked off the 2025/26 Premier League season in spectacular fashion, racking up five straight wins and momentarily topping the table. But the momentum quickly unravelled. In just one week, the Reds suffered three consecutive defeats across all competitions—falling to Crystal Palace, Galatasaray, and Chelsea.
Those back-to-back Premier League losses saw Arsenal leapfrog them to the summit, while questions about team cohesion and tactical identity began to swirl around Arne Slot’s new-look side.
£446 Million Summer Brings Big Names—But Bigger Problems?
The excitement around Anfield was palpable this summer as Liverpool splashed a staggering £446 million on reinforcements. Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, and Hugo Ekitike were among the marquee arrivals, generating buzz and belief. But according to Jamie Carragher, the lavish spending spree felt out of character.
“It felt like a Real Madrid summer, not a Liverpool summer,” Carragher said on The Overlap. “We all love big signings, but something about it just didn’t feel right. That’s not how Liverpool usually build.”
The former defender sympathized with Slot, pointing out that juggling so many big names can complicate consistency and chemistry—especially when form starts to falter. “When it’s not working, and you’ve got £70-80 million players on the bench, it’s hard to keep faith in your system,” he explained.
Carragher: Slot Must Evolve to Fit His Stars
Carragher went on to compare Slot’s challenge to that faced by elite managers like Carlo Ancelotti, known for fitting world-class talent into flexible tactical systems. He believes Slot might need to shift from his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation to accommodate the attacking firepower at his disposal.
“Players like Wirtz and Isak can’t stay on the bench every week,” Carragher stressed. “You’ve got to find a way to get them on the pitch—not necessarily all at once, but enough to justify those investments.”
He suggested that adapting to the squad, rather than rigidly sticking to a tactical philosophy, may be the key to unlocking the team’s full potential.
Scholes Highlights Defensive Disruption and Alisson’s Absence
While Carragher focused on selection dilemmas in attack, Paul Scholes pointed to instability at the back as the root cause of Liverpool’s recent struggles. The former Manchester United midfielder cited injuries and changes in the backline—including the absence of Alisson and Trent Alexander-Arnold—as major disruptions.
“Alisson is a huge presence. You don’t just replace someone like that,” Scholes said. “The new left-back [Milos Kerkez] hasn’t settled, and Konaté hasn’t looked convincing either. Robertson might end up playing more than anyone expected.”
Scholes drew parallels with United’s own struggles post-Schmeichel, emphasizing the long-term value of a dominant goalkeeper. Despite the setbacks, he remains optimistic about Liverpool’s season. “It’s only a little blip. I still think they have the best squad in the league.”
The Road Ahead for Slot and Liverpool
As pressure mounts, Arne Slot now faces a critical juncture. Can he balance a squad bursting with talent and expectation? Will he adapt his tactics to suit the tools at his disposal, or stick to a rigid approach that may not fit the new arrivals?
Carragher and Scholes both offer contrasting but valuable perspectives: one calls for tactical flexibility, the other urges patience. One thing is clear—if Liverpool want to challenge for silverware this season, the solutions must come fast.
