Fewer touches than Mamardashvili: Slot must finally drop 4/10 Liverpool star

Liverpool failed to take a huge stride towards securing Champions League football this afternoon, after only drawing 1-1 with struggling Chelsea at Anfield.

The Reds secured an early lead through a wonder strike from midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, but the lead would only last 29 first-half minutes on Merseyside.

Enzo Fernández’s low and dangerous free-kick evaded everyone in the 18-yard box and found the bottom corner, with no side able to go on and find a winner.

Pressure will no doubt once again be mounting on the shoulders of manager Arne Slot, who has now won just two of his last five games across all competitions.

He will have a huge call to make on the continued selection of multiple senior players, who once again failed to provide the goods during this afternoon’s stalemate.

Liverpool’s poor performers against Chelsea

After the recent injury to winger Mohamed Salah, full-back Jeremie Frimpong was tasked with operating off the right wing for Liverpool at Anfield this afternoon.

However, the Dutchman ultimately struggled to provide the goods within attacking areas, as seen by his tally of just one dribble completed – whilst failing to complete a single cross.

The 25-year-old was also extremely wasteful with the ball within forward areas, subsequently losing possession a staggering 14 times – the second most of any player on the pitch.

Frimpong wasn’t alone in struggling to live up to expectations against the Blues, with Ibrahima Konate once again looking shaky at the heart of the backline.

The Frenchman failed to win any of the tackles he entered at Anfield, whilst also only making one headed clearance despite winning two of his aerial battles.

Other stats, such as two ground duels won and a foul committed, further demonstrate his struggles against the West London outfit earlier on this afternoon.

The Liverpool star who needs to be axed after Chelsea

Following last season’s Premier League title triumph, coupled with the £450m spending spree, huge pressure was placed on Slot to lead the club forward.

After 36 games of the 2025/26 campaign, the Reds now sit 17 points off leaders Arsenal, which highlights the mammoth decline from this time last season.

The future of the Dutchman will no doubt become another talking point as the season draws to a close, with a question mark over the transfer business also another matter.

Numerous players have undoubtedly failed to deliver on Merseyside this campaign, but none more so than Cody Gakpo, who now looks like a shadow of his former self.

The Dutch winger was a crucial part of the title-winning squad last season, as seen by his remarkable tally of 24 goals and assists across all competitions.

However, he’s found goals hard to come by in the current campaign, only scoring seven times within his 34 top-flight outings, despite operating as a central striker.

The 27-year-old featured in the aforementioned role against Chelsea once more this afternoon, but like previous performances, he endured a display to forget.

Gakpo only managed to register 12 touches of the ball during his 77-minute performance – a tally over three times less than goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who registered 37.

He also only registered five passes during the draw at Anfield, whilst also being unable to register a single shot on goal – highlighting his struggles in the final third.

Other tallies, such as no dribbles completed and 100% aerials lost, only reaffirm his struggles which has led to questions being asked about his future at the club.

After such a showing, Slot must be left with no choice but to drop the attacker from his starting eleven – with Rio Ngumoha dislodging him from his regular role.

It’s evident that he doesn’t have the skillset to play as a centre-forward, which could see the forward struggle to be a regular starter in the 2026/27 campaign.

The club as a whole need a refresh when the summer window comes around and it would be no surprise to see Gakpo moved on to generate needed transfer funds.