The latest news from Anfield as two of Liverpool’s summer transfers have been called into question and a pair of starters have come in for more flak
Liverpool will have a chance to halt the rot on Wednesday when they face Crystal Palace at Anfield in the Carabao Cup fourth round. Arne Slot’s team suffered a 3-2 defeat at Brentford on Saturday, marking their fifth loss in their last six games.
The Reds have now experienced four consecutive Premier League defeats, with the reigning champions slipping to seventh place in the table. The dismal results have also cranked the pressure up on Liverpool’s Dutch boss.
Last week’s 5-1 Champions League win over Eintracht Frankfurt proved to be a false dawn for Liverpool, as they were easily beaten by the Bees in their latest setback over the weekend.
That loss follows defeats to Crystal Palace, Chelsea and Manchester United in the league, as well as an away slip to Galatasaray in the Champions League. Slot and his squad must now confront the harsh reality that his side are significantly off the title pace just nine games into the new season.
Mirror Football takes a closer look at some of the latest news from Anfield as a Liverpool star’s time on loan is called out. Former Premier League boss Alan Pardew has also slated the Reds defence, while ex-Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand has cast doubt over Liverpool’s transfer business this summer.
READ MORE: Arne Slot Liverpool sack verdict reached as ex-Reds star ‘can’t believe what I’m hearing’READ MORE: Liverpool handed Marc Guehi transfer update as fresh exit pathway emerges after deal collapse
Liverpool stars ‘look like they’ve had a row’
Former Newcastle and West Ham boss Pardew has slammed Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, suggesting they resemble team-mates who’ve fallen out. The Reds have let in a staggering 21 goals from their 14 games this season, with their loss to Brentford being the eighth time they’ve conceded two or more goals. Liverpool have also conceded after the 75th minute in eight of their matches.
Speaking on talkSPORT, the former Pardew questioned the Reds’ backline. He said: “Konate in the middle of the [back four] and Van Dijk – they genuinely look like they’ve had a row over something. I don’t know, perhaps he’s nicking Van Dijk’s meal at the training ground.
“There seems to be a lack of kind of looking after [each other]. The one thing about centre-backs is they look after their full-back, and they look after each other – that is the key to a back four. So, the left-side centre-half looks after the left-back, but he also looks after his fellow centre-half.
“You have to protect [them] – that’s your area. And neither of them are doing that job. So, therefore, that is a massive problem for Liverpool. There’s a lot of weaknesses defensively when you actually analyse it. And I think Arne really is searching, particularly at the back and in that central area of stability… This is their problem – it’s like an unfamiliarity.”
Loan move slammed
James McConnell’s loan move to Ajax is under intense scrutiny in Amsterdam. Multiple Championship clubs, including West Brom and Derby County, wanted to take the 21-year-old midfielder on loan this summer.
However, he chose to follow former Liverpool assistant John Heitinga to Ajax after he was appointed their manager in the summer. McConnell has made just three appearances, while Heitinga has found himself under pressure.
Ajax legend Wesley Sneijder has criticised his former club for signing McConnell and claimed the Liverpool man is blocking Ajax youngster Jorthy Mokio’s development.
“Look at Ajax, for example, the midfield,” Sneijder was quoted as saying by Dutch outlet Voetbal Primeur. “You bring in that Englishman, while you’re actually slowly destroying Mokio.”
Meanwhile, Dutch Journalist Valentijn Driessen has also stuck the boot into McConnell’s loan move. “I really wonder what that guy from Liverpool is doing here”, the journalist was quoted as saying by Dutch outlet FC Update, adding: “Honestly, what madness?”
Ferdinand slates Diaz call
Ex-United and England star Ferdinand has taken a swipe at Liverpool’s decision to sell Luis Diaz in the summer. Ferdinand also stated that there is “no chance” Cody Gakpo is superior to the Colombian, despite the Dutchman being in good form this year.
Diaz now boasts an impressive tally of seven goals and four assists from 13 appearances for the Bavarians after joining the club for £65million. Gakpo wrapped up Liverpool’s title-winning season with 18 goals and six assists from 49 appearances, whilst Diaz recorded 17 strikes and five assists across his 50 outings.
Gakpo has maintained his goalscoring form this term too, finding the back of the net four times and contributing three assists in 13 games. Ferdinand is not convinced though, claiming the deal constituted poor transfer business.
“I think Diaz leaving, I don’t know if that’s good business,” he said on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast. “I think he’s a top player, Diaz. Being allowed to leave the club, have they replaced him with anything better? Is Gakpo better? I would say no, no chance.”
He added: “They’re not functioning, they’re not playing as well. The new players that have come in have probably unbalanced the team a little bit with the way the manager is trying to play it.”
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
