Liverpool Slump Prompts Transfer Spending Scrutiny

Liverpool have lost four consecutive matches amid recurring set-piece and crossing vulnerabilities that have derailed comebacks. Mohamed Salah has gone seven matches without a non‑penalty goal, prompting Jamie Carragher to say he should not be an automatic starter—especially away—after a poor showing in the 2-1 loss to Manchester United. Carragher also said Hugo Ekitike has been Liverpool’s best summer signing but has been pushed onto the bench following the club’s British-record £125m signing of Alexander Isak. Critics point to Liverpool’s roughly £446m summer outlay and say manager Arne Slot’s tactical gamble of prioritising new signings such as Isak and Florian Wirtz has yet to pay off. Slot defended his selections, argued Salah’s advanced positioning creates chances, and acknowledged the team must “do better” defensively while asking for time to judge the new signings. The run leaves Liverpool fourth in the table and intensifies scrutiny over selection and defensive structure.