It's been a mixed start to the 2025/26 Premier League season for Arne Slot's new Liverpool stars.
The Dutch coach has spent £291m on a host of fresh faces at Anfield as he aims to defend his top-flight title after a superb debut campaign on Merseyside.
Slot's push to sign Alexander Isak is expected to go all the way to the September 1 transfer deadline with Newcastle United standing firm over their £150m demand.
That could force Liverpool to break the Premier League transfer record for a second time this summer following a blockbuster move to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen.
Despite arriving with a stellar reputation - on the back of scoring 16 goals and laying on 14 assists at Leverkusen last season - the 22-year-old is yet to spark into life at Anfield.
Fellow new signing Hugo Ekitike has been the pick of the new arrivals, with three goals in three games, whilst Wirtz and Milos Kerkez have struggled and Jeremie Frimpong picked up a debut injury.
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The Germany international has completed 80 minutes in the first two league games of 2025/26, with comeback wins against Bournemouth and Newcastle, but Slot's team look uncertain defensively.
Two goals conceded against both Bournemouth and Newcastle, plus another double in the FA Community Shield loss to Crystal Palace, underlines those struggles in defence.
Former Reds defender - and four-time league title winner - Steve Nicol believes Wirtz needs to moved from his current No.10 role to allow Slot to sort out his defence.
"He [Slot] may have to find a different spot for this guy" Nicol told ESPN.
"Right now, he isn’t getting on the ball, which is what he was brought in to do, but from a defensive point of view there's no question Liverpool are struggling big time.
"He may have to move him out wide and use Szoboszlai, Mac Allister and Gravenberch as a midfield three, because right now the back four cannot defend as a unit.
"But, are you going to drop Cody Gakpo just because you’ve paid £100m for Florian Wirtz? It's a tough decision."
Only three Premier League teams have conceded more than Liverpool's four so far this season with an xGA [expected goals allowed] tally of 1.33 per game.
Up next for Liverpool before the September international break is a home clash with title rivals Arsenal on August 31 - with the Gunners scoring six goals and conceding zero after two games.
Liverpool news and related links
- Liverpool midfielder agrees shock loan to Champions League giants
- Liverpool and Newcastle target Serie A star as Isak 'replacement'
- Anthony Gordon breaks silence after Van Dijk red card incident