Liverpool’s 2–1 defeat to Brighton has once again put the spotlight on some of the decisions made by head coach Arne Slot during the game, with several tactical calls leaving fans confused and frustrated.
It wasn’t just the result — it was the in-game decisions that didn’t seem to make much sense.
1. Jones On For Ekitike Instead Of A Striker
When Hugo Ekitike went off injured early in the game, most people expected either Rio Ngumoha or Federico Chiesa to come on to keep a forward on the pitch.
Instead, Slot brought on Curtis Jones, which meant Liverpool were suddenly playing without a recognised striker for most of the match. It changed the shape, the movement up front, and Liverpool lost a focal point in attack.
It was a strange decision, especially in a game Liverpool needed to win.
2. Jones Ending Up At Right Back
The situation became even more confusing later in the game when Jones ended up playing right back after Jeremie Frimpong was taken off.
Jones is a midfielder, not a defender, and he struggled with the pace and positioning required in that role. Brighton targeted that side and Liverpool looked vulnerable.
It felt like Liverpool were moving players all over the place instead of keeping structure.
3. Konate Off, Gravenberch Into Defence – Again
Another decision that fans are starting to notice is Slot’s habit of taking off a defender and moving Ryan Gravenberch into defence when chasing a game.
We saw it again when Ibrahima Konaté went off and Ryan Gravenberch dropped into the back line.
The problem is, this tactic hasn’t worked yet, and it often leaves Liverpool looking even more open defensively while not really improving the attack either.
It’s one of those tactical ideas that might work on a tactics board, but so far in real matches it has just made Liverpool look unbalanced.
Decisions Costing Liverpool
Managers are always judged on results, but they are also judged on decisions in big moments, and against Brighton several of those decisions will be heavily questioned.
No striker after Ekitike injury Jones at right back Gravenberch in defence again Team losing structure Liverpool looking open and disorganised
When results are good, these decisions are called brave or tactical.
When results are bad, they are called strange decisions.
Right now, for Arne Slot, too many of these decisions are ending up in defeats rather than wins — and that is why the pressure continues to grow.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
The Kopite View 
Chiesa came on and did very little as has happened in previous games, Rio came on and did his best but easily taken out by stronger defenders. That’s not me defending Slot just commenting on the options available. If you want to criticise substitutions a worse one was not bringing Konate on late in the game against Spurs when we wer still one up