Journalist claims £400m spent by Liverpool still leaves them with 3 issues | OneFootball

Liverpool’s £400M Outlay Brings Success but Highlights Squad Weaknesses

Liverpool’s return to the Premier League summit has been impressive, yet Saturday’s defeat to Crystal Palace served as a sharp reminder of the challenges still facing Arne Slot. A late Eddie Nketiah strike condemned the Reds to their first league defeat of the campaign and exposed familiar concerns.

Despite a net summer spend of around £260m — and a gross figure exceeding £400M — questions remain over squad depth and weaknesses in key positions. The champions may sit top of the table, but their margin of victories tells another story: all but one of their wins have been secured by a single goal, often in the closing stages.

Centre-back dilemma undermines stability

The most pressing issue surrounds central defence. Virgil van Dijk remains the undisputed leader at the back, but beyond him, concerns grow. Ibrahima Konaté has struggled for form, yet continues to start largely by default. Joe Gomez, who was available for transfer in the summer, now finds himself as the only senior alternative.

Slot’s decision to move Ryan Gravenberch into defence against Palace highlighted the lack of genuine cover. The situation has been exacerbated by Giovanni Leoni’s long-term injury, leaving Rhys Williams — fresh from a loan at Morecambe in League Two — as the next option.

There was further irony that Liverpool’s undoing at Selhurst Park came from set pieces, an area where the Reds had targeted reinforcement. Marc Guehi, long pursued by the club before his eventual move stalled, played a pivotal role in Palace’s winner.

Right-back uncertainty continues

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s absence has left a noticeable void. Conor Bradley is developing but remains inconsistent, and his half-time withdrawal against Palace underlined Slot’s hesitation. Jeremie Frimpong, signed as a natural fit for the role, has yet to convince, with his lapse in concentration allowing Nketiah to find space for the decisive goal.

This uncertainty has disrupted Liverpool’s ability to control games from wide areas, an aspect previously central to their dominance. Without Alexander-Arnold’s creativity and assurance, the right flank has become an area opposition teams look to exploit.

Left-back rotation raises questions

On the opposite side, Milos Kerkez continues to be preferred ahead of Andy Robertson. Yet the Hungarian’s early substitution at Burnley — withdrawn after a booking — hinted at Slot’s lack of trust. Robertson’s reduced role is puzzling given his experience, and Kerkez’s inconsistency has not yet justified his promotion.

The left-back position now feels unsettled, with neither option providing the balance required in high-pressure fixtures. Against Palace, the Reds were guilty of defensive lapses that undermined their attacking efforts.

Pressure mounting despite strong position

Liverpool’s status as league leaders reflects their resilience, but the narrow margins of victory and exposed vulnerabilities raise valid concerns. Van Dijk admitted after the Palace loss that the basics were missing, urging the team to treat it as a one-off.

However, with more than £400M invested in the squad, patience will be limited. Slot’s side must quickly address weaknesses at centre-back, right-back, and left-back if they are to retain control in a fiercely competitive Premier League campaign. For all their attacking quality, the depth and reliability of their defensive unit may ultimately decide whether Liverpool’s title defence is sustained or falters.