5 things wrong with Liverpool - and how Arne Slot can solve them

It is probably worth noting, before we begin, that Liverpool is still top of the Premier League table. It will probably still progress in the Champions League, too.

But at the same time, Arne Slot has some teething problems to fix with his new-look Liverpool side. Things have not gone 100 per cent smoothly so far this season even when the Reds have been winning.

As Jamie Carragher put it yesterday: "I don’t feel like I’m watching a top team. Liverpool aren’t playing football right now; they are playing basketball, and it’s just end-to-end. I don’t think top teams play like that."

Next up for the Reds is a trip to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea. After that comes the next international break, before a run of games kicking off with Manchester United. But what does Slot need to change, and how can he fix it?

Florian Wirtz position

The performances of Florian Wirtz— pretty unfairly, really — are fast becoming the biggest talking point at Liverpool. In reality, he has far from been the biggest issue this season, and he has been very close to notching a goal or an assist that could have completely changed the narrative.

Wirtz has neither been rubbish nor sensational. He has fitted in somewhere in the middle: not quite igniting, but with enough there to offer a glimpse of what he could look like when his full potential is unlocked.

One thing is for sure: going with a 4-2-2-2 system, as Slot tried for 45 minutes at Crystal Palace, is not the solution. Wirtz needs to be central and given runners on either side.

In time, he will get more used to the physical demands and the speed of the Premier League, and he will have to spend some time in the gym to bulk up too.

The solution: Keep playing him. That's the only way he will get a feel for the speed of the game.

Ibrahima Konate form

Far more concerning than Wirtz's showings have been those of Ibrahima Konate. With Giovanni Leoni injured and Marc Guehi still a Crystal Palace player, there is only Joe Gomez as an alternative.

Konate had a nightmare at Selhurst Park and then followed that up with a shaky performance in Turkey. Sloppy passing and lapses in concentration have become the norm for the 26-year-old, who should be entering the prime years of his career.

So far, Slot has kept faith with Konate. Certainly, it would be a bold call to bring Gomez in out of the blue at Stamford Bridge. But if the Liverpool number five keeps misfiring, the clamor for something to change will only get louder.

Konate needs to be more alert and switched on. He also needs to ensure that he isn't making his own life more difficult with silly decision-making. Ultimately, he is the only one who can influence that.

The solution: It's all on Konate. He just has to find a way out of the rut.

Right-back conundrum

So far this season, Liverpool's best right-back has been Dominik Szoboszlai. Sure, he didn't play particularly well against Galatasaray, but he has been exceptional in the role in other games.

It doesn't say much for Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong's early showings, though. Frimpong was put on the wing in the Champions League, but didn't play well — and he was terrible against Southampton just over a week ago.

Bradley is still working his way back after an injury and Frimpong is still settling into life at Liverpool. With Szoboszlai deserving of a place in the team somewhere, the right-back berth has suited him at times for now.

In the longer term, however, someone more suited to the role needs to take it for themselves. Right now, the race between Bradley and Frimpong is neck-and-neck, with Szoboszlai strides ahead.

The solution: Szoboszlai, for now. And then whoever hits form first.

Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike dilemma

In the case of Alexander Isak, Liverpool can only wait and be patient. Rushing things with his journey back to full sharpness would not be sensible, but the only way of speeding the process up is by giving him minutes.

In the meantime, that means there will be frustrating periods. Isak has missed a lot of action and therefore he is playing catch-up. When he is up to speed, that will be the time to assess whether he can live up to the $169 million (£125 million) price tag.

As for Hugo Ekitike, he has started very well, aside from the bizarre red card. When he and Isak are both vying for the number nine berth, Slot will have a dilemma over who gets the nod.

For now, the issue stems from getting to that point where there is a decision to be made.

The solution: Ekitike is the man for now, with Isak's minutes dictated by the medical team.

Mohamed Salah fix

A bit like with Konate, Mohamed Salah is simply not playing well at the moment. There is not that much that Slot can do, though there is an argument to say that the additions of Wirtz and Isak, among others, have shifted the attacking emphasis away from the Egyptian.

Salah has scored three goals and set up another three in all competitions this season. Two of his goals were from the penalty spot, though, and he wasn't chosen to start against Galatasaray — that isn't normal.

If one of Salah, Wirtz or Isak goes up a level and starts performing, that should help the others. In the meantime, the hope must be that Ekitike can continue to build on the promise he has already shown.

The solution: Just keep playing him. Salah is still Liverpool's most potent attacking threat and he won't be out of form for long.