0 tackles & 0 shots: Slot must drop Liverpool flop who was worse than Wirtz

Liverpool’s season has gone from worrying to alarming after another humiliating defeat — this time a crushing 3-0 loss to Manchester City at the Etihad. For a club that once ruled England with confidence and fearlessness, the Reds now look like a side without identity, rhythm, or belief. Arne Slot’s men were outplayed, outclassed, and outthought in every area of the pitch, and the frustration among fans is boiling over. What makes this loss even worse is that two of their biggest hopes — Florian Wirtz and Ibrahima Konaté — delivered performances that left supporters speechless for all the wrong reasons.

The numbers tell a story of decline. Liverpool have now lost seven of their last ten matches in all competitions, a shocking statistic for a club that just last season lifted the Premier League trophy. They have already lost five of their first 11 league games this campaign, compared to just four in the entire 2024/25 season. That’s not a blip — that’s a collapse. The defeat to City wasn’t just another loss; it was a brutal reminder that this Liverpool side is far from ready to compete with the elite.

Roy Keane didn’t mince words after the final whistle. Speaking on television, the former Manchester United midfielder said bluntly that Liverpool should not even be mentioned in the title race anymore. And it’s hard to disagree. Their performances lack conviction, their defence looks disjointed, and their big-money signings are failing to deliver.

Florian Wirtz, signed from Bayer Leverkusen for a staggering £116 million — a club-record fee at the time — was supposed to be Liverpool’s new creative heartbeat. Instead, he has been a shadow of the player who lit up the Bundesliga last season with 16 goals and 14 assists. At Leverkusen, he looked unstoppable — confident, clever, and composed. At Liverpool, he looks lost. The Premier League’s physicality has exposed his weaknesses, and against Manchester City, he was invisible when his team needed him the most.

His stats from the game tell the full story. He played 83 minutes, managed zero shots on target, zero key passes, and failed to complete a single cross. He didn’t create any big chances and was often brushed aside in physical duels. His 88% pass accuracy may sound decent, but most of those passes were sideways or backward. Nothing that hurt City, nothing that scared them. For a £116 million player, that’s simply not good enough

The contrast with City’s attackers was painful. While Jeremy Doku danced through Liverpool’s defence with flair and confidence, Wirtz could barely keep up with the tempo of the match. Every time he got the ball, he hesitated, looking unsure of what to do next. Pep Guardiola’s men pressed him relentlessly, and each time, he either lost possession or played it safe. It’s as if the fire that once made him special in Germany has been dimmed by the pressure of the Premier League spotlight.

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Of course, adjusting to English football can take time — even stars like Kai Havertz and Timo Werner struggled early on — but Liverpool don’t have the luxury of time right now. The team is sliding fast, and they need their record signing to step up immediately. Supporters expected a game-changer; what they’ve got so far is a passenger.

But Wirtz wasn’t the only problem. Ibrahima Konaté, the man meant to be the defensive rock beside Virgil van Dijk, had one of his worst games in a Liverpool shirt. In fact, some fans called him “horrific” on social media after his mistake-ridden display. Against Haaland, he looked helpless — like a defender who had no idea how to deal with the brute strength and movement of City’s No. 9.

Haaland’s opening goal came directly from Konaté’s inability to judge the flight of the ball. He mistimed his jump, allowing Haaland to pounce and score. And things didn’t get better from there. For City’s third goal, when Doku cut inside, everyone in the stadium could see what was coming — everyone except Konaté. He failed to adjust his body shape or close down the space, giving Doku a clear sight of goal. The Belgian winger didn’t need a second invitation; his curling strike sealed the 3-0 win and left Konaté staring at the ground in frustration.

His match stats were shocking: 0 tackles, 0 interceptions, and only 3 duels won out of 8. That’s a defender who was not involved, not aggressive, and not alert. When Liverpool needed leaders, Konaté disappeared. When they needed strength, he looked weak. For a club built on intensity, this level of passivity is unacceptable.

Fans are already calling for Arne Slot to make changes. Joe Gomez, who has been waiting patiently for his chance, could come in to replace Konaté after the international break. It’s a decision Slot can’t delay for long because continuing with a centre-back this out of form could cost Liverpool even more points.

Slot’s problems go beyond individuals. The entire team looks drained — mentally and physically. The pressing that once suffocated opponents now looks half-hearted. The passing that once sliced through defences now feels predictable. Even the players’ body language tells a story: heads down, shoulders slumped, no belief.

You can sense the frustration in the stands. The fans who once roared Anfield into life now watch in silence, confused by what they see. How did a team that looked ready to dominate again fall apart so quickly? The answer lies partly in recruitment and partly in adaptation. Slot’s system is different from Klopp’s. It relies more on possession, less on chaos. Players like Wirtz were brought in to fit that vision, but so far, it hasn’t worked.

In Germany, Wirtz thrived in a league that gave him time on the ball. In England, every second is a battle. Every touch is a test. He’s still learning that here, defenders don’t back off; they bite. Midfielders don’t give space; they swarm. Until he adjusts, Liverpool’s attack will continue to look blunt.

Konaté’s struggles are harder to excuse. He’s been in England long enough to know what’s required, but his inconsistency keeps letting him down. One week, he looks like a world-class defender. The next, he looks lost. Against City, he didn’t just lose duels; he lost confidence. The way Haaland bullied him in the air and Doku twisted past him on the ground showed that Liverpool’s defensive problems are not just tactical — they’re psychological.

For Arne Slot, this international break might come at the right time. It’s a chance to reset, to rethink, and to remind his players what wearing the Liverpool shirt means. But the pressure is mounting. The media is questioning his tactics, pundits are doubting his leadership, and the fans are losing patience.

In a league as unforgiving as the Premier League, the margin for error is tiny. Arsenal are flying, City are relentless, and even teams like Tottenham and Aston Villa are showing ambition. If Liverpool don’t wake up soon, they risk falling out of the top-four conversation entirely.

The situation is made worse by the size of their investments. Spending over £100 million on a midfielder like Wirtz is a signal of intent — but also a weight of expectation. Every poor performance is magnified. Every missed chance becomes a headline. And when results don’t come, the pressure doubles.

But perhaps the most worrying thing is the loss of identity. Under Klopp, Liverpool were feared for their intensity. Under Slot, they look uncertain — neither fully attacking nor defensively solid. Against Manchester City, they were caught in between — unsure whether to press or sit back. Guardiola’s men took advantage of that hesitation and punished them mercilessly.

The 3-0 scoreline could have been worse. City were that dominant. Doku, Foden, and Haaland played with freedom, while Liverpool’s stars looked trapped. It was a painful reminder of how far they’ve fallen from their peak years.

When the final whistle blew, some Liverpool players stood frozen, staring into space. Van Dijk tried to rally the team, clapping his hands, urging them toward the away fans, but the body language said it all. This was not a team united by belief. It was a team searching for answers.

Back in the press room, Slot looked calm but weary. He defended Wirtz, saying the German “just needs time,” and insisted Konaté would “learn from his mistakes.” But even he must know that patience is running thin. Liverpool don’t rebuild quietly — they rebuild under pressure.

As things stand, the Reds are drifting. Seven losses in ten games. No identity. Big names failing to shine. And a defence leaking goals like a sieve. Something has to change — fast

Wirtz still has the talent to turn it around. His vision, passing, and intelligence remain special. But he must adapt to the speed and aggression of English football. He must fight, not just play. The same goes for Konaté, who must rediscover his authority before it’s too late.

For now, the headlines belong to Manchester City — ruthless, clinical, and unstoppable. But in the shadows of their triumph, Liverpool’s pain is becoming a story of its own: a warning that even the mightiest clubs can lose their way when confidence fades and identity cracks.

The next few weeks will decide whether Arne Slot can steady the ship or whether this Liverpool side continues its slow, painful slide down the Premier League table. Because right now, the facts are clear — the passion is missing, the performances are poor, and the excuses are running out.