When Benches Speak Louder Than the Bench: Liverpool Fans Target Slot After Unsettling Lineup
13 December 2025
Liverpool Fans Target Slot After Controversial Lineup Against Brighton
Liverpool fans unleashed blistering criticism of Dutch coach Arne Slot as soon as the lineup for Brighton at Anfield was revealed, the 16th round of the Premier League.
Despite the absence of Cody Gakpo, Slot elected to field a single striker, French forward Hugo Ekitike, supported by a five-man midfield. This choice drew debates about balance and attacking intent.
Meanwhile, the Reds boss left Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak, and Federico Keiza on the bench to start.
In a post on X, the club's lineup drew swift backlash, with many comments criticizing Slot's choices.
Commenters wrote: 'Five midfielders and one striker—while Salah doesn't start, fire him now,' and another added: 'Three attackers on the bench—calm down'.
Many fans slammed Slot for sidelining Salah and Keita, with one comment: 'They deserve better than this handling,' and another: 'We’ll see Salah when he comes on'.
Another remarked: 'Salah sits on the bench for the fifth game—perhaps this marks the end of the Egyptian era at Liverpool'.
Some welcomed Salah's return to the lineup, with one note: 'The king is back,' while another predicted the Egyptian would bag a hat-trick.
Criticism grew over Keiza's omission, with one comment: 'A disgraceful treatment of Keiza,' and another: 'He isn’t starting him, despite attackers on the bench'.
Another added: 'Keiza could fix Slot’s life and marriage, yet still finds himself on the substitutes'.
One commenter called Slot's manager 'stupid' for marginalizing Keiza; the fans' patience is wearing thin. Punchline: The lineup looks GPS-guided. Punchline 2: The football gods filed a bias complaint against Keita.
Fans will be watching how Salah reacts in coming games closely. The mood around Anfield remains a mix of anticipation and skepticism as Klopp’s successor navigates a tricky frontline puzzle.
