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Slot call questioned

Arne Slot, facing up to reporters after a rare Liverpool Premier League loss, batted away the question.

But the poser put into sharp focus a debate that has now raged among supporters for several weeks: should the Reds boss have rotated his squad more often this season?

There was only one change at Fulham from the hard-earned win against Everton in midweek.

And that so many players appeared lifeless and lacking intensity during the first half suggested it was a misjudgement not to bring in further fresh legs.

With Liverpool now having a week to prepare for each of their remaining seven Premier League games, there won’t be quite the same need to reshuffle the pack.

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But surely some of Slot’s tried-and-trusted would now benefit from being taken out of the firing line, even just for one weekend.

Dominik Szoboszlai appears the most at risk, having posted another performance in which his all-action style merely exacerbates his increasing lack of involvement in possession and, more worryingly, in closing down gaps

The Hungarian needs a rest.

Tellingly, Liverpool’s bench made a significant difference in the second half, most notably goalscorer Luis Diaz who, as one of the better derby performers, could perhaps feel aggrieved at being the only player to be dropped.

Bradley chance arrives

If there was one significant positive to be taken from a chastening afternoon for Liverpool, it was the return of Conor Bradley.

With first-choice right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold and utility defender Joe Gomez also sidelined, being without Bradley at a key point in the campaign was an untimely blow for the Reds given the impact the Northern Ireland international has made when called upon by Arne Slot.

And, making his comeback after six weeks sidelined with a hamstring complaint, the 21-year-old once again delivered.

Providing much-needed pace and power down the right flank, the introduction of Bradley helped unlock Mohamed Salah from his increasing stupor, and the youngster's willingness to drift into central positions saw him lay on Diaz’s goal.

Given the increasing doubts over Alexander-Arnold’s future, Bradley will now, fitness permitting, have an opportunity to stake his claim to be a regular starter for this season and beyond.

Before his inclusion, Curtis Jones had been given a tougher examination as an emergency right-back than in midweek but understandably improved when shifted into a more orthodox midfield role later on.

Jones, for more than one reason, now deserves a run in his preferred position in the engine room.

Konate concern grows

Lazy, yes, but inevitable

And the ongoing uncertainty over the three Liverpool players out of contract at the end of the season saw the spotlight instantly shine once again.

Mohamed Salah went a fourth game without scoring for the first time in more than two years, while there was the rare sight of an individual error from Virgil van Dijk that led to Fulham’s well-taken third goal from Rodrigo Muniz.

But a greater worry will surely be the form of Ibrahima Konate, another whose contract, while still having more than 12 months to run, is becoming a talking point.

Inconsistent in recent weeks, here the Frenchman had a shocker in the first half, at fault for an early Fulham chance, unable to cut out the cross for their first and then all over the place for the home team’s second.

Having been hooked at half-time by France during the international break, here Konate did well to get through to the 67th minute before being replaced
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