Alan Smith spots huge Arne Slot problem at Liverpool that's only getting worse

Liverpool faced Fulham on Sunday and managed to pick up a point from the Premier League game at Craven Cottage in London following goals from Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo

Alan Smith commentated on Sunday's game(Image: Getty Images)

Ex-Arsenal striker Alan Smith noticed Arne Slot's lack of options off the bench during Liverpool's game against Fulham on Sunday.

Liverpool suffered a nightmare start to Sunday's Premier League match in London, as Harry Wilson, a former Red, opened the scoring during the first half. Slot's players failed to hit the target and make goalkeeper Bernd Leno work during the opening 45 minutes.

Yet the Liverpool boss is struggling with a mounting injury crisis, particularly in attack. Alexander Isak is currently nursing the broken leg he suffered at Tottenham last month, while Hugo Ekitike went down with a hamstring injury on the eve of Sunday's game.

Mohamed Salah is also unavailable, as he continues to represent Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations. Slot was forced to play Cody Gakpo, a left winger by trade, down the middle on Sunday, with Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai in advanced roles.

Smith, who won two top-flight titles with Arsenal, referenced Slot's lack of options in attack while commentating on the game for Sky Sports. "Arne Slot has a bit of work to do at half-time," said Smith just before the interval.

"He doesn't have many obvious options, but something has to change."

Liverpool picked up a point on Sunday(Image: Getty Images)

Federico Chiesa was Liverpool's most notable attacking option on the bench, but Slot often refuses to call upon the Euro 2020 winner.

Jeremie Frimpong was another forward option, but he is a wing-back by trade and has been struggling with injuries this term. Rio Ngumoha was also on the bench on Sunday, but the 17-year-old lacks experience at the highest level.

While many would view Chiesea, Frimpong, and Ngumoha as good options, it's obvious Slot would prefer to call upon Isak, Ekitike, and Salah if the trio were available.

Mark Schwarzer was covering Sunday's game for BBC Radio 5 Live and wasn't impressed with Liverpool's first-half display. "Liverpool have been lacking in ideas," said the former Premier League goalkeeper, who represented the likes of Chelsea and Fulham.

"For the creativity that they do have on the pitch, they always seem to look for those forward passes into the pockets, and then when they do make it, there is no one running beyond, so they decide to just keep possession."

Schwarzer also uttered a few moments earlier: "Everything is comfortable for Fulham at the moment. Liverpool are playing in front of them, and their possession is quite slow. They can almost predict where the next pass is going."

Slot refused to make any changes at half-time. Liverpool started the second period on the front foot and found the back of the net through Florian Wirtz. "Liverpool have attacked more quickly in this half and been more aggressive," noted Smith.

The ex-striker added on Wirtz's goal: "It was a simple enough finish, but the most important thing was that he got in there."

The Reds thought they had found a winner when Cody Gakpo tapped into an empty net, but Harrison Reed's stunning last-gasp strike from distance made it 2-2.