Overview
- Former Liverpool midfielder Don Hutchison says Arne Slot should consider a front line of Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike, even if it means leaving Mohamed Salah out.
- Hutchison identifies the Africa Cup of Nations as the moment to test a Salah-free XI, arguing the new trio need starts to build chemistry and lift results.
- Slot has publicly downplayed concerns over Salah’s form, insisting he will score again after a return of five goals in 16 appearances this season.
- Liverpool’s domestic slide continues, with five defeats in their first 11 Premier League games and a recent 3-0 loss to Manchester City leaving them eighth.
- Transfer chatter persists, with Khalid Boulahrouz touting Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven as Virgil van Dijk’s successor and reports suggesting Liverpool are weighing a ‘serious bid’ for AZ’s Kees Smit, with other links such as Nico Schlotterbeck described as speculative.