Slot must be 'under scrutiny' but recruitment figures should be toopublished at 14:56 GMT
14:56 GMT
Watch The Observer's Rory Smith discuss the current challenges Liverpool are facing, and where the blame lies for their struggles this season.
"There will be a lot of criticism of Slot, I think his job has to be under scrutiny," he told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club
"But, it's worth making the point that Liverpool don't have a manager, they have a head coach. They have people in charge of recruitment who have left Slot with a squad that is very clearly unbalanced.
"They should be under scrutiny too. Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards."
'Miles on Van Dijk clock are showing just a little more' - Nevinpublished at 11:42 GMT
11:42 GMT
Pat Nevin Former footballer and presenter
Image source, Getty Images
I covered a game at Swansea at the very start of the 2013-14 season. Manchester United won 4-1 but the abiding memory was of the peerless centre-back Rio Ferdinand suddenly looking much slower and older.
It was startling change over a short summer. Within half an hour the recent world class defender was being openly targeted as the weak link.
He wasn't awful, but clearly wasn't the 'Rolls Royce' that had previously cruised through games. Manager Alex Ferguson shockingly said afterwards that Rio had "lost a yard of pace". For a defender this is the beginning of the end, no matter how good or respected they are.
Rio was 34 years and nine months, Virgil Van Dijk is just two months short of that and sadly the miles on the clock are showing just a little more every week.
The first giveaway was when he started to 'go square' trying to tackle quick forwards, when previously he would have trusted his pace before and shown them wide.
Little judgement errors like Saturday's mis-control that led to the opening goal have crept in too.
One of the finest central defenders the Premier League has seen isn't finished yet and he is still the best centre-back at the club and currently capable of doing the job.
However Liverpool must scour the planet now for his replacement; the danger is that his abilities decline rapidly, just as Rio's did over the space of a couple of months.
He might not fall off the edge of that fitness cliff just yet - Thiago Silva lasted until just shy of his 40th birthday, but he was an outrageous outlier. But if the decline becomes more rapid with Van Dijk, Liverpool will be in severe trouble.
They must get at least one centre-back in this transfer window to safeguard their entire season.
'He's just too relaxed' - Van Dijk is 'costing' Liverpoolpublished at 09:19 GMT
09:19 GMT
Jordan Chamberlain Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
I find it really hard to criticise Virgil van Dijk. I think he's the best Premier League defender ever. He's been enormously instrumental in Liverpool winning every competition of note at least once during his stint.
But I'm finding some of his mistakes hard to take this season. Not because he isn't allowed to make any, but because of the sloppiness with which he makes them.
He's not making them because he's bad, or got any worse at football. He's just too relaxed. Van Dijk plays like football is too easy for him - but that style, that nonchalant attitude, is costing us.
Van Dijk is more than capable of clearing the ball that led to Bournemouth's opener on Saturday. Of course he is. It's just a lack of concentration. When you're struggling as much as Liverpool are this term, it's entirely unhelpful.
He then played the attacker onside for Bournemouth's second and was at the scene of the crime for the third. It was a really poor performance.
Van Dijk is 34 years old. Mohamed Salah is 33. The truth is, the two players who've been Liverpool's best in the past trophy-laden decade are old.
Last season, it didn't matter. They were the best defender and best attacker in the country. In 2025-26, though, they've been way, way off it.
Are there many examples of players approaching their mid-30s re-emerging as elite stars following a slump? There sadly isn't.
Denzil: It's like living in limbo, just waiting for the season to pass, and hopefully something new the next time around. Hope Aston Villa get the league, as it would be less heartbreaking than seeing either of Arsenal or Manchester City do it.
Stuart: We won last season with what was left of the KLOPP philosophy. This year we are slow, boring and predictable. That has to be coaching and sorry that isn't good enough for Liverpool.
Steve: The loss of Trent is a major factor in Mo Salah drop off in form. Mo is just not getting the service he had from Trent Alexander-Arnold. Virgil van Dijk has no confidence in Milos Kerkez and Ibrahima Konate has had a nightmare. Thank goodness for Hugo Ekitike!!
Dawn: The most entertaining part of our last home game was the two lads next to me shouting instructions and obscenities at our players. Anfield was totally flat. Can't remember ever it being so quiet. For me, Slot doesn't have a solution. The substitutions seem desperate rather than calculated. Couple of years back we had VVD out for almost an entire season and we were better than we are now. I'm fed up of watching the mighty Red Men playing like this. Managers make a difference. Look at Carrick now at Manchester United. I feel as though Slot has lost the dressing room.
Liverpool recall Koumas from Birmingham loanpublished at 15:06 GMT 26 January
15:06 GMT 26 January
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Lewis Koumas is the son of former Wales international Jason Koumas
Midfielder Lewis Koumas has returned to Liverpool after being recalled from his season-long loan spell with Championship club Birmingham City.
The 20-year-old played 25 times for Blues, including seven league starts, and scored one goal, in the 3-2 win against leaders Coventry City.
After signing a new contract with Liverpool, Koumas spent last season on loan in the Championship with Stoke City, scoring three times in 43 league appearances.
The Wales international has made one senior appearance for the Reds when he netted in an FA Cup tie against Southampton in the 2023-24 season.
Where are 2024-25 Liverpool?published at 14:49 GMT 26 January
14:49 GMT 26 January
Melissa Edwards BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Match week 23 last season saw Liverpool dispatch Ipswich Town 4-1 at Anfield for their 17th Premier League win of the season.
A year later, and Liverpool remain stuck on 10 victories since the turn of the new year, after Arne Slot watched his side lose 3-2 to 13th placed Bournemouth on Saturday.
With only four personnel changes to the team that saw off Ipswich from the side who couldn't find the edge against the Cherries, where have 2024-25 Liverpool gone?
At this point in the league last year, Liverpool had hit the target with 152 shots, averaging 6.6 shots a game. They had conceded 74 shots on target, at 3.2 per game.
This term, they have taken 99 shots on target and faced a shocking 97 - 4.3 and 4.2 per match respectively.
Mohamed Salah's dramatic drop in form, subsequent benching and absence through the Africa Cup of Nations, is playing a big part in Liverpool's goalscoring woes after the Egyptian created nearly half of Liverpool's goal tally last season (29 goals, 18 assists).
In the back-line, the individual performances of captain Virgil van Dijk and main centre-back partner Ibrahima Konate alongside the adjusting Milos Kerkez and ever-changing right-back position, all lend a hand in explaining the defensive struggles.
But whether Liverpool's unexpected 2025-26 campaign is down to these players simply not performing, or if Arne Slot is just unable to get the best out of both his new and aging players is left to see.
Nigel: The Cherries had to dig deep for that win. They seem to find something extra when the chips are down - injuries and player departures working against them. The fact that Andoni Iraola chose to bring on a striker in the last few minutes, when most managers would try and protect the draw, sums up the ethos of this team.
Malcolm: This result has been coming. Recent performances have been solid and decided by fine margins. We don't complain about injuries, we just get on with the job with what we have. A brilliant team performance to a man. Happy days!
Mark: Absolutely superb siege mentally and some outstanding performers bearing in mind we have eight first team players out injured. Never say die attitude and the passion to play for the team and manager stands out.
Clive: A brilliant performance by an under strength team that never give up. Players like James Hill and Alex Jimenez have shone when called in and Smudge played a good 90 minutes.
Charl: Super performance from the whole team. Marcos Senesi was outstanding, alongside Adrien Truffert and Lewis Cook. We still wasted too many chances, and our corners need a total rethink, but we played without fear. Excellent so more of that please.
Liverpool fans
Tim: We are a bang average side, which even the most loyal fan must admit. Even the mighty Virgil van Dijk is showing his weaknesses. Without Hugo Ekitike up front we look toothless. He looks some player, though. Credit to Bournemouth for going for the win. After all that money we spent it is a case of going backwards to go forwards, but we need Mohamed Salah and Van Dijk replacements.
Simon: Same old, same old. Lots of possession but little end product. I don't understand why Salah never gets substituted when he's doing nothing? I can't see us finishing top four unless there's a massive improvement.
Anthony: Liverpool looked leggy and predictable. Slow in build-up and no willing runners into the box. Just a poor all round performance. Talk of tired players from a manager that consistently plays the same players is ironic. The board now either backs the manager to save the season in the cups, or pulls the trigger and replaces him (which I don't think should happen).
Mo: Poor defending again and little penetration from the forwards. Where has Salah's eye for goal gone? First half, he is in an ideal position to score by racing towards goal but he passes into the crowd of defenders. Afterwards, it's just excuses from Slot and Virgil. Playing like this we will be lucky to qualify for Champions League.
Darren: It's been the same story all season. Look at the stats - every game the other team covers more ground and works harder! And they are conceding soft goal after soft goal. If nothing is changing then Slot is responsible for that and needs to go now!
'The goals Liverpool conceded were terrible' - Rooneypublished at 08:41 GMT 26 January
08:41 GMT 26 January
Former England captain Wayne Rooney was critical of Liverpool's defensive standards following their 3-2 loss away at Bournemouth, describing the goals conceded as avoidable and pointing to a lack of organisation and urgency across the back line.
Speaking on the BBC's The Wayne Rooney Show, the former Manchester United forward also suggested there could be scrutiny on Liverpool head coach Arne Slot if the club fail to secure Champions League qualification, arguing that their recent unbeaten run masked underlying issues in performance levels.
Liverpool were on a 13-game unbeaten run before losing to the Cherries on Saturday, but that run included draws against the likes of Leeds and Burnley at home.
"I just think the goals Liverpool conceded were terrible," Rooney said.
"I think Virgil [Van Dijk] should have cleared it, then he doesn't stop the ball getting cut back. Then the full-backs are all over the place when it does get cut back.
"And then the last goal defending the set piece, and no one put their body on the line. I think the goals they concede are very bad goals from Liverpool's point of view.
"That's 13 games unbeaten they were, but it wasn't a great run, there was a lot of draws in there. So yes, I think there will be questions at the end of the season on Arne Slot if they don't make Champions League, and Liverpool will certainly sit down and look at them.
"I think what I said early on in the season, the top players are not performing as well as they can do. And that's [Mohamed] Salah, that's [Virgil] Van Dijk. [Alexis] Mac Allister hasn't been anywhere as good as he was last season. [Ryan] Gravenberch hasn't been as good as he was last season."
Gossip: Reds contact Alonsopublished at 08:07 GMT 26 January
08:07 GMT 26 January
Liverpool have contacted ex-Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso's representatives to enquire about the Spaniard's availability, with the 44-year-old reportedly giving a positive response to his former club's approach. (AS - in Spanish), external
'I want Robertson to stay but let's see' - Van Dijkpublished at 16:17 GMT 25 January
16:17 GMT 25 January
Aadam Patel Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk says he wants Andy Robertson to stay at the club as he remains a "very important" member of the squad.
Earlier this week, Tottenham opened talks with Liverpool in an effort to sign the left-back, who is out of contract in the summer.
"He's my vice-captain," said Van Dijk.
"Robbo is a very important member of our team and I want him to stay but whatever happens, let's see."
Robertson is no longer the first-choice left-back at Liverpool but is keen to play regularly again and is considering options that allow him to do that.
The Scotland international came off the bench to replace Milos Kerkez at half-time in Saturday's defeat at Bournemouth but he has started just four times in the Premier League this season.
Pushed on whether he expected Robertson to be at Anfield for Liverpool's Champions League game against Qarabag on Wednesday, Van Dijk said: "That's not on me, is it?"
The Liverpool skipper was then asked about his best memories of Robertson but insisted he would only "speak about that" if the move happened.
Analysis: A game Liverpool should not have lostpublished at 20:11 GMT 24 January
20:11 GMT 24 January
Aadam Patel Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Arne Slot's side only have themselves to blame for this defeat. Despite not testing Djordje Petrovic in the early stages, Liverpool had the upper hand until Virgil van Dijk's error.
The Liverpool captain should have easily cleared his lines from Marcos Senesi's cross but he was punished as Alex Scott fizzed the ball across goal for Evanilson to score his fifth goal of the season. To make matters worse, the mistake led to Joe Gomez's injury.
It was a bitter blow for Gomez, who was excellent in Marseille midweek and started again in the absence of Ibrahima Konate. That Liverpool are considering the possibility of Andy Robertson leaving is staggering, given their lack of options.
By the hour mark, three of Liverpool's back four that started the game were off as Slot withdrew Milos Kerkez at half-time for Andy Robertson and Jeremie Frimpong on the hour mark, with Dominik Szoboszlai slotting in at right-back.
Szoboszlai, who has been Liverpool's player of the season so far, delivered another moment of class to draw them level - and it could have been a very different story had Petrovic not made a wonder save to deny Florian Wirtz.
But Liverpool were a mess as they tried to deal with a long throw and were ultimately punished by a Bournemouth side who deserve full credit for their performance.
Bournemouth 3-2 Liverpool: What Slot and Van Dijk saidpublished at 20:06 GMT 24 January
20:06 GMT 24 January
Media caption,
Liverpool boss Arne Slot, spoke to BBC Match of the Day after his side's defeat at Bournemouth: "It is a cruel game if you lose in extra time after coming back from 2-0 down at half-time.
"I think it was only 5-10 minutes in the first half where we didn't have total control, we played through them nicely a few times but we conceded twice and we went down to 10 men so that doesn't help.
"It felt to me that if we were able to make up the 2-1, we would have been back in the game. We were a lot of the time in promising positions but we were 2-0 down and it did feel to me that we were going to score and get back in the game.
"It is fair to say that in the last 10-minutes it was more open but I could see that my players were tired because we only had two days in between each game."
On when the goals were scored: "It was Bournemouth's best 10-minutes.
"It is mostly the same few players who have to play and it is safe to say that they were very tired and I cannot blame them, especially if you face a very intense Bournemouth team."
Captain Virgil van Dijk also spoke to Sky Sports: "I am very disappointed. Last minute of the game is very tough to take, we worked very hard in the second half to get back in the game and to concede that late is disappointing."
On questioning the referee at full-time: "What I felt on that pitch is that I was blocked but the referee and VAR didn't give it. I can stand here and say it shouldn't have been given bit it was, so it is what it is."
On Bournemouth scoring two goals in seven minutes: "The first goal was a difficult one to judge, the wind was very tricky so it was difficult. To concede that was isn't an issue but it's not good. To concede two goals in a short period is not good at all. The goal for us a half-time was really important for momentum in the second-half.
"In the end, that throw in cost us."
On who to blame for the loss: "After a game and a moment it is easy to say he should have done this, he should have done that and I know that is what will happen but we decided to keep the ball and eventually they got it.
"Losing never feels good especially as a Liverpool player. This season we are trying to find consistency."
On his team's togetherness: "I don't think there is any question about our togetherness but the consistency we are looking for still needs to be found. It is something we have to deal with and we want to perform and we want to win games."
Did you know?
Liverpool conceded a 90th-minute winning goal for the third time in the Premier League this season – their most ever in a single campaign in the competition.
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Manchester City v Wolves" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Bournemouth v Liverpool", for instance.
Sutton's predictions: Bournemouth v Liverpoolpublished at 11:03 GMT 24 January
11:03 GMT 24 January
Liverpool played really well against Marseille on Wednesday but I have a feeling they will find this game a lot more difficult.
Mind you, Bournemouth are a nightmare to predict this season so, whatever I say here, the opposite is likely to happen.
I have changed my mind a few times about this one - I started with a 1-1 draw, then went 2-1 to Bournemouth... but then I saw Liverpool have won on their past three visits here and a repeat result is what I have talked myself into in the end.
It should be a great game, though, whatever the outcome.
The Cherries are brilliantly strange, and I always think they have a goal in them - they will score here and have a real go at Liverpool, but I don't think they will quite get over the line.
