For months, Liverpool fans have questioned Virgil van Dijk’s form, criticised Arne Slot’s tactics, and searched for answers to the team’s disappointing season. However, according to one respected former Liverpool player, the blame has been placed in the wrong direction entirely.
This ex-Liverpool legend, who has seen the club through both its greatest moments and its deepest setbacks, has claimed that the real reason behind Liverpool’s decline has been overlooked. His comments have sparked widespread debate and forced supporters to re-evaluate assumptions they have held all season.
He revealed that a different senior player — not Van Dijk and not Slot — has quietly been at the centre of Liverpool’s problems. According to him, this individual has been performing far below the standards expected of an experienced first-team member, yet continues to avoid meaningful scrutiny.
The legend argues that this player has been hiding behind Liverpool’s larger personalities, relying on his reputation while contributing to the team’s instability. He insists that removing this player from the starting lineup would immediately make Liverpool look more organised and defensively secure. His criticisms point to repeated lapses: failing to track opposition runners, losing possession under no pressure, interrupting transitions, and disrupting Slot’s tactical structure.
Reports suggest that frustration within the club has been building for some time. Coaches have grown tired of the repeated errors, and several players have privately raised concerns. Some staff members are surprised that he continues to avoid criticism from fans, despite being at the centre of many on-pitch issues. One internal source suggested that Slot and Van Dijk are taking the public blame, while the true problem remains a consistent starter who has been noticeably underperforming.
Following the legend’s comments, supporters began rewatching recent matches and noticing recurring patterns: the misplaced pass before PSV’s goal, the missed responsibilities against West Ham, and the lack of influence during key moments in other games. These moments have led many to question how such issues went unnoticed for so long.
Perhaps most concerning is the suggestion that the player himself is aware of his struggles but has not responded by raising his performance level. Instead, according to the legend, he has withdrawn under pressure rather than rising to meet expectations.
This revelation places Arne Slot in a difficult position. He now faces a pivotal decision: whether to continue trusting the player and risk further setbacks, or remove him from the lineup and invite major media attention. Either choice carries consequences, but one thing now seems certain — Liverpool’s decline cannot be pinned on Van Dijk or Slot alone.
As the story develops, the identity of the player in question is expected to generate intense discussion across the football world. Once the name is confirmed publicly, the reaction will be significant, and the debate surrounding Liverpool’s season will take an entirely new direction
