Liverpool news: 'I don't know what Liverpool's identity is under Arne Slot' - Sturridge slams Reds

Liverpool's decision to Manchester United connected Sunday was different large stroke to Arne Slot's enactment this season. For the archetypal clip since 2015-16, the Reds person been beaten by their rivals successful some Premier League encounters, successful a twelvemonth successful which the Dutch brag is nether unit from supporters and is acceptable to decorativeness down United successful the table.

Reigning champions, Liverpool invested heavy successful the transportation model to support their momentum, successful Arne Slot's 2nd twelvemonth astatine Anfield. However, they person tally into squad problems and injuries, successful summation to a mediocre tally of signifier connected the pitch. Against United connected Sunday, they were adjacent dominated by their rivals successful the archetypal fractional and, contempt getting backmost connected level terms, could not debar a 3-2 defeat.

Even with the lion's stock of possession for astir of the match, Liverpool failed to enforce their bushed connected the game. When they did find the backmost of the net, they relied connected idiosyncratic errors from United successful their ain half, alternatively than having to make the chances themselves. They besides exposed themselves to the counter-attacks acceptable up by Michael Carrick for the clash.

Sturridge questions the individuality of the Slot project

"It is worrying", said erstwhile Liverpool subordinate Daniel Sturridge connected Sky Sports, earlier pointing retired that the astir concerning facet for him was the frequence with which the Reds conceded counter-attacks. He added that determination was cipher successful midfield oregon successful onslaught susceptible of disrupting absorption moves further up the pitch.

Sturridge was 1 of the cornerstones of the Liverpool onslaught during the runners-up run successful 2013-14, alongside Luis Suarez. Signed successful 2013 aft a spell astatine Chelsea, helium was portion of the squad that won the Champions League successful 2018-19 — his lone large honour with the Reds. He worked alongside Jurgen Klopp, Slot's predecessor.

The erstwhile guardant past explained that the individuality was simply not there. He insisted that the nine needed to physique a squad that reflected Slot's identity, but astatine this constituent successful time, helium was not definite what that meant. With Klopp, helium said, everyone knew precisely what it was. With Slot, helium had seen a broadside based connected possession, a small much methodical. When the team's statistic were analysed this season, the figures had dropped drastically crossed each areas, the erstwhile subordinate added.

Liverpool signings person failed to present this season

After a affirmative archetypal season, Slot was fixed the greenish airy by the Anfield hierarchy to prosecute high-profile signings to bolster the squad. Among the millions spent since June 2025 are Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak. The trio, however, person failed to unrecorded up to expectations truthful far.

This does not needfully mean that they should beryllium written off. Slot, with Champions League qualification, is expected to stay successful his station adjacent season, contempt the conflicts helium has accumulated with Mohamed Salah passim the year, which person resulted successful the Egyptian's exit astatine the extremity of the Premier League season.

Former Manchester United multi-title victor and right-back Gary Neville, speaking on Sky Sports, said the recruitment had not worked out, portion pointing retired that determination had evidently besides been injuries. He added that the Reds had tried to regenerate players who they knew were getting connected successful years oregon needed to beryllium moved on, but they had not yet managed to integrate the players they had signed. They needed to beryllium diligent and springiness them time, the erstwhile defender concluded.

Aside from Salah, who has been incapable to repetition the signifier that secured the Premier League rubric past season, Liverpool volition besides beryllium without Andy Robertson from adjacent twelvemonth onwards. The full-back, a regular starter, has not had his declaration renewed for 2026-27. Alisson, the goalkeeper presently sidelined with injury, could permission the club, having received approaches from Juventus successful caller weeks.

With 58 points, Liverpool are good placed to suffice for the Champions League, but beryllium six points down United, who inhabit 3rd successful the Premier League table. In the adjacent round, they look Chelsea astatine Anfield. If they win, and Bournemouth gaffe up against Fulham, they volition unafraid qualification for European competition.