Arne Slot has just made his biggest Liverpool error yet vs Arsenal
Arne Slot has made some odd decisions so far this season.
Liverpool have made the perfect start to the new season results-wise, beating Bournemouth 4-2 before Rio Ngumoha scored a last-minute winner to defeat Newcastle United 3-2 at St. James’ Park.
However, Liverpool have looked suspect at the back in both games, with Ibrahima Konate coming under increased scrutiny in recent weeks.
Liverpool face Arsenal at Anfield in an early title clash on Sunday, and fans have taken notice of another unusual lineup decision after the team news was released.
Dominik Szoboszlai starts at right-back again
Dominik Szoboszlai was forced to start at right-back in Liverpool’s victory at Newcastle, after Jeremie Frimpong was ruled out until after the international break with a hamstring injury.
The Hungarian was very good at St. James’ Park, keeping Harvey Barnes quiet before dummying the ball to help set up the winning goal by Ngumoha.
| Dominik Szoboszlai vs Newcastle United | Total |
| Tackles won | 1/1 (100%) |
| Clearances | 4 |
| Recoveries | 4 |
| Dribbled past | 1 |
However, that was supposed to be a one-off decision due to injuries to all three senior right-backs, after Wataru Endo proved he couldn’t perform on the right-hand side against Bournemouth.
Slot, however, has decided to play the midfielder at full-back again for the second game running, opting to leave both Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley on the bench.
Conor Bradley or Joe Gomez would be better choices for Slot
Slot’s obsession with playing Szoboszlai out of position is becoming very similar to the problem Jurgen Klopp had with Fabinho.
The Brazilian was forced into the centre of defence during the 2020/21 season, and it ended up backfiring as Liverpool went on a run of just three wins in 14 after the new year, before the German moved him back into midfield.
Slot is doing the same thing with the Hungarian, but worse, as he has the options available on his bench in Bradley and Gomez.
Surely the experiment has to end if Liverpool are beaten by Arsenal, but it needs to end for the Reds’ defence’s sake.
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