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Liverpool’s crisis has deepened, with a point gained against Leeds United at Elland Road only fanning the flames that have engulfed the Merseyside outfit this season, so brittle and flimsy and susceptible to crumbling at the slightest flash of danger.

After the draw, shining light Dominik Szoboszlai was breathless and incredulous, echoing, surely, the disbelief of so many of a Reds persuasion across the globe. How has it come to this? Why are the Premier League champions so incapable of completing the basics?

Szoboszlai is the cream of a withered crop on Merseyside right now, but it’s clear, proven, that he can’t do it alone. Liverpool have so many strugglers, and who better to epitomise Slot’s side’s collapse than Ibrahima Konate?

Ibrahima Konate's performance at Elland Road

Konate, 26, is out of contract at the end of the season, and while this should be a season of importance for the Frenchman, winning better terms at Anfield or canvassing his qualities for suitors from elsewhere, he has not fallen but plummeted by the wayside.

It was a needless challenge on substitute Wilfred Gnonto, and that sparked the home side’s comeback. This was hardly an outlier for the hulking centre-half.

But, away from the most glaring blunders, Konate also lacks any semblance of control or confidence, and surely Slot has got to consider dropping him now, with the star having started every single Premier League match so far this season.

When are the mistakes going to stop? When is the storm going to abate? Konate, for all his woes this season, is not the only Liverpool defender who is flattering to deceive.

In fact, the France international’s scrutiny, an intense spotlight beaming onto him at all times, is detracting from the consistent problems of another.

Liverpool superstar could now be dropped

Virgil van Dijk has been a pillar of strength for so many years at Liverpool, but we are receiving a bitter taste of life without such a player in the rearguard, with the 34-year-old brought down from his indomitable self this season.

That missed deal for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi on transfer deadline day at the start of September continues to look more damning, and sporting director Richard Hughes is bound to be weighing up a move for the England international, whose contract at Selhurst Park expires in June, this winter, lest Liverpool’s crisis devolve into something even worse.

To say that Van Dijk, Liverpool’s supreme captain, should be dropped is a bold claim. Some would say brazen. Many would disagree.

However, the Netherlands captain has been woefully out of sorts over the past couple of months, and Konate’s error-strewn displays have disguised his own shambolic efforts. Liverpool were under the cosh at times, but Van Dijk did not step forward and make a tackle, not one.

He put Liverpool in danger with a careless headed backpass in the first half that required intervention from Konate, and he has lost the confidence and clarity that has been firmly fixed for the lion’s share of his illustrious Liverpool career.

The 34-year-old was handed a 6/10 match rating by The Liverpool Echo, largely due to his aerial dominance, but this was hardly a convincing display from the skipper, nor was it a good representation of his leadership ability.

Minutes played

90′

90′

Touches

62

83

Shots (on target)

1 (1)

1 (0)

Accurate passes

40/49 (82%)

57/62 (92%)

Chances created

0

0

Dribbles

0/0

0/0

Ball recoveries

4

1

Tackles won

1/2

0/0

Interceptions

0

1

Clearances

4

15

Duels won

7/10

12/14

Neither centre-back has covered themselves in glory for Liverpool this season – far from it – and with the January transfer window fast approaching, it feels likely that a deal will be explored, frantically, for Palace’s Guehi or any number of other earmarked targets who might restore some balance to a team that have lost their way – and are showing little sign of escaping from the bog.

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After a run of six defeats in their last seven games, Liverpool are finally back to winning ways with a 2-0 win over Aston Villa.

Arne Slot’s side managed to put in their best performance in some time to earn all three points at Anfield ahead of a big week.

Unai Emery’s men had their fair share of chances in the first half. Morgan Rogers came closest, rattling the woodwork. The Reds survived that scare and were pushing for a lead. Hugo Ekitike thought he had put them in front, but his header was ruled out for a clear offside.

It was Mohamed Salah who opened the scoring, bagging his 250th goal in that famous Red shirt. It was surely one of the easiest, too, with Emiliano Martinez gifting him the ball, trying to play out from the back. Salah simply fired into the empty Villa net.

The Reds doubled their lead 13 minutes into the second half. Ryan Gravenberch was able to receive the ball in space, with the Dutchman unleashing an effort from range. Two wicked deflections took it past Martinez and put Liverpool 2-0 up.

There were some standout performers, with Salah and Gravenberch looking at their very best.

How Salah and Gravenberch downed Aston Villa

It must be a relief for Liverpool fans to see Salah put in a performance like he did against the Villans on Saturday night. His 250th goal was a huge milestone, and it capped off his best showing in some time.

Salah was at his very best with the ball at his feet against Emery’s men. He gave Lucas Digne, the Villa left-back, a tough day. Liverpool’s number 11 completed four of his seven dribbles and created one chance, to go with his goal.

As for Gravenberch, he continued to show the excellent form he has been in under fellow Dutchman Slot. The Ajax academy star got on the score sheet with his deflected long-range effort, but also controlled the game at the base of the midfield.

His performance certainly seemed to stand out to Will Rooney, journalist for Liverpool World. He gave Gravenberch a post-match rating of 8/10 and praised him for how well he “displayed composure” in the middle of the park for the Reds.

As well as both Salah and Gravenberch played against Villa, there was another Liverpool player who stood out above the rest.

Liverpool's standout player versus Aston Villa

A performance like that in the Premier League has been a long time coming for Slot and his Liverpool side. Salah’s dominant effort will be pleasing, given how underwhelming he has been of late.

Well, the Egyptian star is not the only player who fits that mould. It was refreshing for Liverpool to have Alexis Mac Allister back to his best in the middle of the park. The 2022 World Cup winner teed up Gravenberch for his goal and showed class on the ball, and worked hard without it.

His numbers from the game show how well he played. Mac Allister was excellent in possession, having 64 touches and completing 48 out of 51 passes, creating three chances. Off the ball, the former Brighton star won five out of eight ground duels.

Touches

64

Passes completed

48/51

Opposition half passes completed

30/33

Ground duels won

5/8

Chances created

3

Fouls won

3

Assists

1

Well, it is fair to say that the Reds’ number 10 left a good impression on Rooney. He gave Mac Allister a 9/10 for his performance. After a tough start to the season, he said the midfielder “looked much more like his usual self” and “kept on showing his class” throughout.

It is certainly not outlandish to say Mac Allister was better than both Salah and Gravenberch against the Villans. Rooney was certainly of that opinion, given the fact that he gave the Argentine a higher rating than the pair of 8/10s he gave to the other two players.

Mac Allister’s contribution in the middle of the park was vital. He progressed the ball well and worked hard out of possession to help guide Liverpool over the line. There is a strong case to be made that he was the Reds’ standout player in a huge win to get them back on track.

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