Liverpool are desperate to end their poor run of form when they welcome Crystal Palace to Anfield on Wednesday for their Carabao Cup fourth-round clash. The Reds fell 3–2 to Brentford at the weekend, their fifth defeat in six matches, piling pressure on new manager Arne Slot as his team searches for stability.
Defensive Concerns Deepen
Former Newcastle and West Ham manager Alan Pardew has criticized Liverpool’s defensive duo, Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté, suggesting the pair look like players who have fallen out. Defensive frailty has become a major concern for Slot’s side, who have conceded 21 goals in just 14 matches this season. Remarkably, they have allowed two or more goals in eight of those fixtures and have been breached after the 75th minute in eight separate games — a sign of both fatigue and poor concentration late on.
Ferdinand Questions Diaz Sale
Meanwhile, former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand has questioned Liverpool’s decision to sell Luis Díaz to Bayern Munich during the summer transfer window. He argued that replacing the Colombian winger with Cody Gakpo was a step backward for the club.
“There’s no chance Gakpo is better than Díaz,” Ferdinand said on his Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast. “Díaz is a top player — letting him go doesn’t look like good business. Have they replaced him with anything better? I don’t think so.”
Díaz and Gakpo Compared
Since joining Bayern Munich in a £65 million move, Díaz has made an impressive start, scoring seven goals and providing four assists in just 13 appearances. Gakpo, meanwhile, has also been productive for Liverpool, netting four times and assisting three in 13 games this season after finishing the previous campaign with 18 goals and six assists in 49 matches.
Despite Gakpo’s solid numbers, Ferdinand insists Liverpool have lost balance since Díaz’s departure. “They’re not functioning properly,” he added. “The new signings and the tactical adjustments seem to have unsettled the team.”
As Liverpool prepare for their Carabao Cup test, Slot faces growing questions about his team’s defensive organization, attacking chemistry, and overall direction. Wednesday’s fixture at Anfield could prove pivotal in restoring belief among the players and supporters alike.
