Liverpool desperately need forgotten star that left three years ago | OneFootball

Despite still holding the moniker of ‘Premier League champions’, the Reds have been extremely disappointing for the majority of the season.

Slot finds himself in a precarious position and speculation is swirling about who could replace him in the Anfield dugout.

The consensus remains that the decision makers at Liverpool will continue to back the Dutchman for now, but a marked improvement is needed sooner rather than later.

There are problems both on and off the pitch at Liverpool and standards seem to be slipping, leading one prominent journalist to suggest Liverpool are missing a player they let go three years ago.

Liverpool’s attitude problem is costing them

Some of the difficulties faced by the Reds this season are out of the club’s control.

Several major injuries have struck this season, and the untimely and tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother in the summer will have no doubt taken a massive toll.

With Liverpool in a difficult spot, there seems to be a lack of leadership within the team and Virgil van Dijk’s admission that the players effectively gave up in the 4-0 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday epitomises the issues.

The attitude issue hasn’t gone unnoticed, and was highlighted by Paul Joyce in a recent report.

“Attitudes have altered and standards have certainly slipped. That reflects terribly on the players and also the man supposed to be inspiring them [Van Dijk],” Joyce wrote.

“What they would give to have someone like Jordan Henderson or James Milner back in the fold right now. Time for a new group to step up when it’s difficult.”

Henderson left Liverpool in 2023, making the move to the Saudi Pro League after a tough season in Merseyside, but the Englishman is back in the Premier League with Brentford now and has been a key figure in West London this season.

Whilst some supporters were critical of Henderson’s abilities on the pitch his leadership cannot be questioned, and a player of his ilk is exactly what the Reds are lacking right now.

Joyce is right that Liverpool’s standards have slipped, and if Slot wants to keep his job then his number one priority needs to be righting that wrong. Improvement on the pitch will surely follow.

Liverpool are missing Henderson, but they must finish the season without him and the next few weeks will be crucial.