Premier League: Liverpool’s ‘bad cocktail’ of problems needs to be resolved, says Arne Slot

Liverpool can end a tough season on a high if they eliminate a «very bad cocktail» of defensive mistakes and missed chances, manager Arne Slot said on Tuesday.

The Reds can secure their place in the last 16 of the Champions League with a win at home to Qarabag on Wednesday after a string of impressive victories against Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan and Marseille.

But the English champions are without a win in five Premier League games, dropping them to sixth in the table and at risk of missing out on next season’s Champions League.

Despite winning only the club’s second league title since 1990 last season, Slot’s own position has come under scrutiny, especially with former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso available following his departure from Real Madrid.

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A 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday was Liverpool’s first defeat in all competitions in fourteen games, but that run included a number of disappointing draws.

Slot said at his pre-match press conference that Liverpool often created many more chances than their opponents without equivalent reward.

“That’s a very bad cocktail we have,” he said. “If we can improve in both boxes, we can do very special things this season.

«If we can only improve in one box, then it will probably be an acceptable season, but no more than that. And if we can’t improve in both boxes, there will be a lot of noise all season.»

Slot has been severely hampered by injuries in his second season at Anfield.

Striker Alexander Isak will miss most of the rest of the season after breaking his leg, while Liverpool will have to field a makeshift center back against Azerbaijani team Qarabag.

Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni are injured outside, while Ibrahima Konate is away on medical leave after the death of his father.

Midfielder Wataru Endo is expected to take the place alongside Virgil van Dijk, who at 34 is Slot’s only available central defender.

“There are no central defenders available other than Virgil,” said Slot. “He is one of the players I appreciate a lot because at his age he is always fit and constantly ready to play another 90 (minutes).

“That is something we cannot take for granted.”

Liverpool have apparently pulled the plug on the potential transfer of experienced defender Andy Robertson to Tottenham.

“It’s good to have him here,” said Slot. “It’s hard to say anything definitive in this world we’re in, but I expect him to stay, yes.”

Published on January 27, 2026