‘They have to respond’ – McManaman slams Liverpool trio after Brentford defeat | OneFootball

Liverpool suffered a 3-2 defeat at Brentford on Saturday to drop to sixth in the Premier League table.

Several Liverpool players delivered subpar performances, and former midfielder Steven McManaman singled out three who must respond.

McManaman criticised the team’s lack of compactness and urged manager Arne Slot to return to the tactics that worked last season, before calling on the trio to turn things around.

McManaman said (via the Mirror), “They’ve got home games coming up and they have to turn this around.

“They had all the platitudes and all the plaudits last year when they were winning games and they were winning the league easily.

“Now they have to take the criticism on the chin. It’s as simple as that, and they have to respond.

“Mohamed Salah needs criticism on the chin. Virgil van Dijk needs to take it. Florian Wirtz needs to take it.

“£100 million has been spent on him – he needs to take it, and you know what, they have to respond.”

Salah has not been able to replicate his immaculate form from last season. He spearheaded the Reds to the title with record-breaking numbers, but he has struggled this term.

Van Dijk is another who has not lived up to his reputation this season. He gave away a penalty yesterday that led to Brentford’s third goal of the game.

Wirtz has struggled to adapt to the Premier League’s pace and hasn’t been able to influence games as he’d like. They all need to start delivering the goods.

Liverpool’s next few fixtures will be crucial in defining their campaign. Slot must rediscover the intensity and rhythm that made his side unstoppable last season.

Salah, Van Dijk, and Wirtz need to shoulder responsibility and inspire a response. The Reds can’t afford another setback if they hope to stay in the title race.

With the pressure mounting at Anfield, this is the moment for Liverpool’s leaders to prove their credentials and reignite their fading championship defence.