Robbie Fowler believes Liverpool's recruitment strategy during the summer transfer window is the main reason behind their catastrophic form of late.
The reigning Premier League champions were swept aside by dominant Manchester City on Sunday, losing 3-0 after being put to the sword by goals from Erling Haaland, Nico Gonzalez and Jeremy Doku.
Liverpool splashed out £446million in the summer on new signings, twice breaking the British transfer record to lure Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz for £116m and later Newcastle striker Alexander Isak for £125m.
Despite emptying their pockets on several high-profile stars, Liverpool's form has plummeted in comparison to last season, with Sunday's loss against City marking a sixth defeat in their last seven Premier League games.
Fowler, who scored 183 goals for Liverpool during his career and is now a club ambassador, fears his old team are already out of the Premier League title race after just 11 matches.
'I got asked before the game, "Are Liverpool out of a little bit of a rut?", and I thought don't be getting carried away,' Fowler told Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt on The Good, The Bad & The Football.
'Okay, they beat Aston Villa but for 45 minutes Liverpool weren't great and then they beat (Real) Madrid. So it's only 45 minutes in a league game where they've played relatively okay. I think they're out of the title (race).'
Interjecting, Scholes admitted that he still believed Liverpool could win the Premier League prior to Sunday's embarrassment at the Etihad, but is now inclined to agree with Fowler after watching the manner in which the Reds were beaten.
'It was a poor game wasn't it, from a Liverpool point of view,' Fowler added, as he began to share his brutal verdict on the club's expensive transfer window.
The ex-Premier League forward believes Liverpool signed too many players that do not fit Arne Slot's system - and the Dutchman is struggling to get the best out of his players as a result.
He said: '(Jeremie) Frimpong is the biggest example, he was brought in as a Trent (Alexander-Arnold) replacement but he's a wing-back.
'And (Milos) Kerkez, he was everyone's favourite left back last year. When you're playing for Liverpool or Man United, it's different playing for Bournemouth or Brentford, because there's more pressure.'
Frimpong and Kerkez arrived at Anfield in the summer for £29.5million and £40m respectively, bolstering Slot's ranks at full-back after the controversial exit of Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid.
Hugo Ekitike also arrived for £85m from Eintracht Frankfurt as part of the near £450m spending spree, while teenage defender Giovanni Leoni also joined in a £30m move from Parma.
Now eighth in the table, Liverpool sit eight points behind leaders Arsenal and four points adrift of City in second.
Reflecting on the Premier League table, Butt said: 'It's a horrible feeling that they could win it, City. It was like a statement win - we're back.'
Scholes added: 'I know Arsenal are four points clear, but with the experience City have got, and Arsenal haven't, you'd have to put them slightly ahead (as title favourites).'
China6655055
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A club like Liverpool that won the league should not had signed more than 3 players.
Utdw3Stand
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If Liverpool want to retain champion Bring back Diaz, Nunez, Tsimikas Eliott Kelleher and send back all those new signing This new signing is the business of this Stupid Slot To gain his profit for himself not fit the club Useless Coach
What planet are you living in. Diaz and Nunez were sold on and are enjoying life at their respective locations. There's no turning back fo them two. Tsimikas and Elliott, depending on whatever agreement was signed ,it may not be easy to recall them either.
acmcdade
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I feel like we were treated too well last season. this is still a new squad and it’s gonna take some time. it’s hard because the liverpool we all know as of late has been so good, but we are still transitioning
wewabelru
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If Liverpool want to retain champion Bring back Diaz, Nunez, Tsimikas Eliott Kelleher and send back all those new signing This new signing is the business of this Stupid Slot To gain his profit for himself not fit the club Useless Coach
firMINO1
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Slots mistake was fixing a liverpool team which needed no fixing..the only thing we needed was a central defender or midfielder since he won't play endo.
Nescdilmy
0
I just miss Nuez.
wepabltuy
0
He has a valid point. Kerkez, Ekitike, Frimpong, Wirtz and Isak were rushed into pitch too early. One at a time approach would have served better. Front 3 should have started with Gakpo, Wirtz and Salah with their current style of play.
Mubabklnz
0
Look Mohammed gudus and Mack geyu
Mubabklnz
1
Hello my brother rubbish buying players looking for defense and winger ( selling good winger Dias not baying not winger
Zuhaiopruz
0
Arsenal signed too many too
arsenal didn't sign enough, thier like chelsea injury plagued clubs... thou Chelsea has definitely signed too much
Riwbdelmnu
1
Benz3933
1
the team lacks understanding, strength, fitness, as well as the coach who is confused about what formation to fit the team.
Tobbclnpry
1
too many cooks spoiled the food
pehabinsz
0
Both Arsenal, Man City & Liverpool are not in their original forms we always know them. People are good at criticizing the Reds but overlooking the plain fact of Allison Becker's absence & the blunder that Arne Slot did in selling Kelleher. Neither Kelleher nor Allison Becker would be scored the way our Georgian keeper is being scored. Allison is coming back & the Reds will revive its form. So counting them out of the title race is too too early.
HForca
0
Recruiting many players in a club will only help to boost the club strength but not declining the performance of the entire team.
SMHellas
1
They are exhausted why not add more to boost them up. You think it is easy to win a premier league
Bro it's not easy but now you have too many new faces to fit in, the entire group dynamic is changed rather than just adding a couple of players to lift the level. When half the guys in the team are new and haven't played with the others, too much needs to go right for it to succeed straight away
AFerrExg2412
0
Completely agree, why change a winning side that much? The title win affords you time that the others trying to catch you don't have
They are exhausted why not add more to boost them up. You think it is easy to win a premier league
Fisbcdilm
0
Arsenal signed too many too
truthisbitter
2
They say Pep wins bcos of money,they are jealous cunts but they don't know Guardiola,see how disjointed their diamond money is!!
yutacilrst
2
it's true
Coebdiklpt
3
let me agree with fowler, this clearly shows that slot was clueless when buying the players, he was just buying for the sake of buying. it's like the acquired players were just given to him in darkness and he is failing to utilize them. why repair it if it is not broken? why did he let Diaz go?
Ziuckostz
1
true talk,non of signing is strong enough to Liverpool pattern very simple.
poolmanghaokip
1
I agree with Fowler
SMHellas
4
Completely agree, why change a winning side that much? The title win affords you time that the others trying to catch you don't have