One of the biggest frustrations surrounding Liverpool FC under Arne Slot is the feeling that strong performances are rarely rewarded with the next start.
Friday night’s win over Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. was a perfect example. Three players in particular stood out with excellent displays — Curtis Jones, Andy Robertson and Rio Ngumoha.
Yet when Liverpool faced Galatasaray S.K. in the UEFA Champions League, all three found themselves back on the bench.
Jones Showed His Quality
Curtis Jones produced one of his best performances in weeks against Wolves. He scored, created a goal and didn’t misplace a single pass all evening — a complete midfield display.
After that kind of performance, many supporters expected him to keep his place in the starting lineup. Instead, he was left out again, raising more questions about how Slot decides his team selections.
Robertson Proved He Still Has Plenty to Offer
Andy Robertson also reminded everyone why he has been such an important player for Liverpool for so many years.
The left-back scored a superb goal and then produced a classic Robertson assist for Mohamed Salah. His attacking energy and leadership were clear to see.
But despite that strong display, Robertson was once again named among the substitutes in the next match.
Ngumoha Brought Something Different
Perhaps the most exciting performance came from young winger Rio Ngumoha.
His dribbling, direct running and willingness to take on defenders gave Liverpool something they have often lacked recently — unpredictability in attack.
He constantly caused problems for Wolves and looked fearless even when defenders tried to rough him up. Yet that performance still wasn’t enough to earn him another start.
A Growing Pattern
This is becoming a familiar pattern under Slot. Players deliver strong displays but are quickly rotated out of the team, making it difficult for anyone outside the “core starters” to build momentum.
For many fans, that is one of the biggest issues with Slot’s management so far. When players perform well, they expect to be rewarded with another opportunity — it’s one of the most basic ways to build competition and confidence within a squad.
Instead, Liverpool often appear to revert to the same lineup regardless of recent form.
A Question Slot Must Answer
As the season progresses, this is something Slot will need to address.
Rewarding form not only motivates players but also keeps the team fresh and competitive. If those strong performances continue to go unrecognised, frustration within both the squad and the fanbase could continue to grow.
Jamie (The Kopite View)

Leave a comment