One-time record signing tears into Liverpool duo

There's no denying that Liverpool have been in terrible form this season.

Indeed, there has been the odd occasion here and there when the Reds' true colours have shone through, but, more often than not this season, things have gone rather pear-shaped.

The 2025-26 campaign is the first when Arne Slot has been given a team that he's chosen with the Dutchman more or less inheriting Jurgen Klopp's first-team squad during his first season in charge.

Most fans thought that bringing in players such as Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike would make them even better, but, at the moment, that's not been the case.

Of course, a lot of this is down to the form that Liverpool's players have shown with one duo from Slot's ranks being torn apart.

Chris Sutton tears Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk to shreds

Liverpool being sixth in the Premier League at this point in the season isn't likely to have been on the bingo cards of many football fans.

The Reds spent a hefty chunk of change to bring in new players, and, the fact that they're 14 points adrift of first-placed Arsenal is nothing short of a disgrace.

The form of Liverpool's players has been concerning to say the least and now, it's clear that cracks are starting to show, even in some of their more experienced players.

And, while speaking on BBC Sports' Monday Night Club podcast, former English record signing Chris Sutton didn't hold back on his criticism of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk.

"How many right-backs have they used this season? That doesn't help then the guy playing up on the right [wing] Mo Salah looks like he has put his boots on the wrong feet this season," he said.

"He's miles off it. You then look at Van Dijk, his levels have dropped and you're talking about two stars whose levels haven't just dropped but dropped significantly.

"Even players like Gravenberch, who was phenomenal last season is not at the level, Mac Allister has been a disappointment. It seems like [Dominik]Szoboszlai on his own and that's the issue."

Liverpool must figure out how to keep things consistent this season

Recently, Liverpool's unbeaten run was brought to an end thanks to a last-minute winner that Amine Adli put into the back of Alisson's net.

Admittedly, the Anfield outfit didn't deserve any sort of reward for the way they performed against Bournemouth, and, if we're being honest, the final result was fair.

The fact that Liverpool went 2-0 down within the first 35 minutes of the game proves how poor they were and, even though Dominik Szoboszlai and Van Dijk tried to claw back at least a bit of a result for the Reds, it still wasn't enough.

If Slot can't figure out a way to keep his first-team squad consistent and ensure that they get the most out of each game that they play then questions will need to be asked.

And, in Salah and Van Dijk's case, next year they'll be entering the final years of their contracts, and, if they want to stay at L4, they need to show some serious improvement during the second half of the season.

Otherwise, their £400,000-per-week wages will start to seem rather unreasonable.

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