Salah and Konate Under Fire as Liverpool's Title Defence Crumbles

Liverpool's stunning collapse from title-winning form has prompted searching questions about where it all went wrong, with two key players drawing particular scrutiny for their role in the Reds' downfall.

Having romped to the Premier League title last season under Arne Slot, finishing ten points clear of Arsenal, Liverpool have spectacularly unravelled this term. The gap has swung the other way entirely—the Reds now trail the Gunners by 21 points and have already tasted defeat ten times in the league, including a recent loss to Brighton.

While Slot has absorbed much of the criticism for this dramatic reversal, former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown argues the manager cannot shoulder all the blame. Speaking to Football Insider, Brown identified two players as central to Liverpool's troubles.

"Slot will face the brunt of the pressure, but he's not the only one to blame," Brown said. "If you're looking for the root of Liverpool's demise from being champions last season to the position they're in now, two main players stand out."

Ibrahima Konate tops that list. The centre-back's defensive lapses have been glaring, with Liverpool's backline looking alarmingly vulnerable compared to the near-impenetrable unit that carried them to glory. "It's been a major concern for Liverpool, how weak they look defensively compared to before when they were almost impregnable, and his form is a big reason," Brown explained.

Mohamed Salah completes the pair of culprits. The Egyptian's dramatic drop-off has been impossible to ignore. Last season he plundered 34 goals; this term he has managed just ten. The prolific winger who was breaking records appears diminished, operating far below the standards Liverpool have come to expect. "He's not been anywhere near the levels you expect of him, and that's contributed to Liverpool's drop off," Brown noted.

Yet while both players warrant criticism, Brown stopped short of absolving Slot entirely. "Both of those players, if you were Arne Slot, you could point to them as reasons things haven't worked this season, but ultimately the buck does stop with him."

Edwards Exit Looms?

Away from the pitch, change could be coming in the boardroom. Respected Reds correspondent David Lynch has suggested that Michael Edwards, the Fenway Sports Group's CEO of Football, may not remain at Anfield much longer.

Edwards arrived at Liverpool with a clear remit to expand FSG's football operations across multiple clubs. That wider project, however, no longer exists—the focus is now entirely on Liverpool's revival. Lynch believes this fundamental shift means Edwards' tenure could be short-lived.

"Personally, I'd be quite surprised if Michael Edwards sticks around much longer," Lynch told Anfield Index. "We have to take him at his word that that was the driving force behind him coming to this role; it now no longer exists, and there is no wider football project now at FSG, it is now basically everything into Liverpool and go from there."

Lynch adds that Edwards' departure would not necessarily be damaging. "On a day-to-day basis, he has very little input into Liverpool now," Lynch explained. "His project was aimed at widening things out a little bit. How many of the other staff who are tied directly to FSG will stick around in their roles will be interesting to see."