Slot Must Bin Liverpool’s “Origi regen”

When defending the Premier League title, it is important to have players of great quality.

Liverpool did it, didn’t they? A record summer of spending cemented a new era for FSG with Arne Slot at the helm. The league title was assured and players such as Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike arrived with the weight of expectations and were considered elite talents.

Isaac, in particular, is a banker and was hailed by Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher as “the best striker in the Premier League at the moment” as Newcastle United rode the crest of a wave through the winter months of last season.

But the Swedish striker, who forced his way out of St James’ Park this summer and missed pre-season, found himself on sticky wickets, lacking sharpness and consistency. Isak has scored just two goals in 752 minutes this season.

Better days are sure to come for this world-class player. And he is not the only one to flatter and deceive as Ibrahima Konate and Kodi Gakpo are also among the players who have put their jobs at risk with such poor performances.

Liverpool players whose jobs are at risk

First, let’s talk about the elephant in the room, Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian’s inflammatory interview after the recent Premier League draw at Elland Road has put his future at the Reds in jeopardy, with the 33-year-old missing out on the starting XI for three games in a row before being omitted ahead of the win against Inter.

Salah has been in poor form this season, being less effective in front of goal and lacking in pressing and defensive work. Although less intense, Salah’s struggles are part of a wider malaise.

The Egyptian superstar may have been referring to players like Gakpo when he complained. Gakpo has been a regular starter this term, despite struggling with fluency and dynamism on the left flank. Certainly, Liverpool need a more protean threat.

Konate might have been the worst of them all. It’s true that France’s center backs made a lot of mistakes and didn’t look like the strong team they were last season. His contract expires at the end of the season, but FSG plans to renew his contract.

These are players who have not lived up to their reputations this season, and many of Liverpool’s persuasion will be looking for an upgrade after such a dismal season.

But given Slott’s reluctance to hand him minutes, there’s another guy who’s been doing better so far, but he might have to be sold as well.

FSG could sell Liverpool’s ‘Origi Regen’

Last season, Federico Chiesa flattered to deceive at Liverpool. The Italy international arrived in August 2024 as the only summer signing of Slot’s first transfer window, signing for a reduced price of just £12.5m as he enters the final year of his contract with Juventus.

Chiesa had to wait until the title was decided before earning a starting berth in the Premier League. Slott has yet to give the 27-year-old an opening appearance in the Premier League or Champions League this season, but Chiesa has redeemed himself with some impressive performances.

A powerful and direct forward, the Italian scored the winning goal late on against Bournemouth in August, securing the three points in the opening game of the Premier League season. He scored again against Crystal Palace in September, providing consolation in the defeat, while he provided two assists against Southampton in the Carabao Cup.

This kind of ability was even evident in the versatile forward, who was hailed as “the reborn Divock Origi” by reporter Lewis Oldham for his quality of clutch play in the final third, popping up when teammates around him were down.

Problem: Slott clearly doesn’t like Chiesa as a prominent member of the team. And we have to believe that sooner or later Liverpool will turn the corner and instead of fighting for points, they will be aiming for silver again.

Will Chiesa fit into the grand scheme of bigger ambitions? The plain truth is that we saw it happen last year?

Given that he earns £150,000 a week, more than most of his team-mates, FSG may feel they are not getting a good deal on their investment, or that they need to invest in a wide forward who is more in line with Slot’s vision.

So it might be worth it for Liverpool to cash in on a smart, low-risk investment while they still can recoup some of it.