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After such a positive start to the season, Arne Slot was left with a lot of questions about his Liverpool players following their performance at Crystal Palace.
It certainly wasn’t up to the standard the Reds set on their way to a 20th league title last season, and in truth, had it not been for Alisson Becker, the 2-1 defeat at Selhurst Park on Saturday might have looked a lot uglier.
Liverpool’s first-half display left so much to be desired that Slot had absolutely no complaints about Palace’s lead at the break. In fact, the Reds boss didn’t shy away from his side being lucky to only be 1-0 down at that point.
In fairness to his side, there was a definite improvement in the second half, and it was the visitors who were knocking on the door before Federico Chiesa’s equalizer in the 87th minute.
But once Eddie Nketiah struck in the seventh minute of stoppage time, it did feel as though the right result might have been reached - even if Slot wasn’t all that happy with the amount of time allowed for Palace to find their winner.
The Reds were far, far from their best, with some notable players struggling in particular, not least Ibrahima Konate.
The defender had a torrid first half up against Jean-Philippe Mateta, and there was an inevitability about him being taken off during the second half, having been walking a tightrope after picking up a yellow card for a tussle with his fellow Frenchman.
Konate’s struggles were summed up neatly by former Arsenal defender Martin Keown’s verdict on the BBC’s Final Score: “Jean-Philippe Mateta is giving Ibrahima Konate a nightmare. Konate is making Mateta look world-class. Van Dijk also can't get near him.”
Former Wales defender Ashley Williams added: “How many times can Liverpool keep coming on back from late? Konate is getting caught with the ball and Mateta is all over him. Palace look hungry at the minute.”
Konate though wasn’t the only Liverpool player to be highlighted for his under-par - to say the least - performance. It proved to be another difficult day for Florian Wirtz, and his failure to convert from close range in the second half rather summed up his introduction to the Premier League so far.
“Wirtz has to score,” Chris Sutton said on BBC Radio 5 Live. “It's a brilliant reaction from Henderson, but he should have no right to save that.”
And Liverpool’s other record signing didn’t escape Sutton’s eye either, with Alexander Isak’s first league start not likely to be remembered fondly in the future.
During a quiet first half for the striker, Sutton summed it up: “Liverpool have got work to do. They haven't found their rhythm. Isak has only had one or two touches, he's barely been involved.”
Isak would have a golden opportunity to bring his side level after the break, but after weaving his way into the penalty area from the left, he was knocked off balance as he shot, with his effort just drifting wide.
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“Isak does brilliantly, dances through and you think the net will bulge,” Sutton said. “He has to score, but the ball gets stuck under him. That is one hell of a chance.”
Isak’s quiet afternoon was perhaps understandable given the preparation he had this summer, but there can be no doubt that Saturday’s performance will have left a lot for Slot to think about before Tuesday’s game against Galatasaray.
Konate and Wirtz certainly didn’t push their cases further, and with Hugo Ekitike back following his short suspension, Slot will have a decision to make on the duo and Isak this week.
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