Arne Slot believes it’s unfair to pass judgement on Liverpool’s revamped forward line
Although the Reds have scored 21 goals in their last seven matches across all competitions, they have struggled to replicate last season’s prolific Premier League form
Arne Slot believes it is unfair to judge Liverpool’s reshaped forward line given the prolonged absence of British record signing Alexander Isak for much of the season.
Although the Reds have scored 21 goals in their last seven matches across all competitions, they have struggled to replicate last season’s prolific Premier League form.
Their return of 40 goals from 25 top-flight games is 20 fewer than at the same stage last term, with five clubs having outscored them so far.
While £79million signing Hugo Ekitike has impressed with 15 goals in 33 appearances, Isak has managed just three in 16 outings due to ongoing fitness issues, the latest being a broken leg sustained at Tottenham before Christmas.
Mohamed Salah has also seen a sharp dip in output, scoring only six times this season – just once since November – while Cody Gakpo has struggled for consistency on the left flank.
Gakpo’s inconsistent form has led some to question the £65.5 million sale of Luis Díaz to Bayern Munich.
The Colombian has flourished in Germany, registering 18 goals and 14 assists in 30 matches after contributing 25 goals for Liverpool last season.
Asked if Liverpool were missing Diaz, Slot said: “You always miss good football players. He was so important for us last season, but he wasn’t the only one.
“There were more players that were influential in our results. But I think we have replaced them with very good players as well.
“It is maybe more fair to say that if Alex had been fit, would we have spoken about it then as well?”
Slot added: “Luis Diaz is another example of how this club is run. If this club gets for a 28-year-old an offer like that then this club, because it is built on sustainability, chooses to sell a player and we are an exception in the Premier League, especially at the top of the Premier League, for that.
“But that is why it is also so nice that we are able to achieve the things we have achieved in the last few years with that model.
“But he is doing very well at Bayern and that is not a surprise to me.”
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