Why Liverpool Are Two different Teams This Season – Gerrard

Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard has pinpointed a lack of squad depth as the critical factor undermining Arne Slot’s side this season, following their latest Premier League setback.

The reigning champions slumped to their tenth league defeat of the campaign, suffering a 2-1 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium—a result that stands in stark contrast to their midweek heroics.

Speaking to TNT Sports, Gerrard argued that the team is physically incapable of replicating its European intensity on weekends, as the manager is left with few viable options to refresh the starting eleven.

“We have observed this several times this season where they exert a great deal of effort and perform admirably on the Champions League stage,” Gerrard said. “The emotion, energy, and intensity required to succeed or secure a result in those matches significantly impact their performance on weekends.”

He elaborated that the problem lies not with effort, but with the resources available to the Dutch coach. “They do not possess the options within the squad or on the bench to make sufficient changes that would inject energy or quality into the team to match their midweek performance levels.

“He had to rely on many of the same players today, making only a few forced changes. However, the manager prefers to maintain consistency rather than make changes to energy, which ultimately backfired today,” he remarked, via the Mirror.

Gerrard’s analysis comes after Liverpool’s commanding 4-0 victory over Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League, a performance that raised expectations before the Brighton debacle. While the club has secured a place in the Champions League quarterfinals, their domestic form has left them fifth in the Premier League table, now fighting simply to secure a spot in Europe’s elite competition next season.

Compounding the issue is a mounting injury crisis. The squad’s struggles have been exacerbated by key absences, with Hugo Ekitike now joining Mohamed Salah, Alisson, Alexander Isak, and Conor Bradley on the sidelines.