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As Liverpool navigate the business end of the Premier League title race, Arne Slot’s reliance on a core group of 14–15 players has come under scrutiny by Jamie Carragher.

Slot’s reluctance to rotate has come under the microscope with some of the Reds’ players looking leggy – especially in midfield.

Ryan Gravenberch looked leggy against Everton and also was not at his best against Aston Villa midweek.

The likes of Harvey Elliott, Wataru Endo, and Federico Chiesa collectively playing just 487 Premier League minutes this season despite the team’s congested fixture list.

And now Jamie Carragher has pointed this out in his column for the Telegraph, writing:

“The Liverpool manager has tended to favour the same starters from a preferred pool of 14 or 15.

He does not seem to trust back-up options such as Harvey Elliott or Wataru Endo unless there is no option,” the Liverpool legend asserted.

“Last summer’s sole summer signing, Federico Chiesa, has contributed nothing.

Jota had a normal pre-season, well not normal as he was at the Euros, but he had a normal start with us and Federico did not.”

Carragher raises a fair point, and compared to a player like Dominik Szoboszlai the minutes the trio received so far this season looks pitiful:

Player Minutes & Contributions (2024-25 Season) | Data: WhoScored, FootyStats0

Harvey Elliott

Wataru Endo

Elliott is especially a strange one owing to the fact that he played 53 games last season under Jürgen Klopp, buthas seen his role reduced to late cameos under Slot.

Despite contributing 3 goals and 3 assists across all competitions (including a decisive Champions League winner against Lille10), Elliott has started just one league match in 2024–25.

His per-90-minute goal involvement rate (0.48) surpasses Dominik Szoboszlai’s (0.32), yet he ranks 18th in squad minutes.

Of course, this can be explained by the fact that Elliott is likely playing against weaker opposition – but still an interesting observation.

Key starters Ryan Gravenberch (2,102 minutes) and Alexis Mac Allister (2,287 minutes) rank among Europe’s top 10 midfielders for distance covered, increasing injury risks.

Hopefully, the Reds don’t run of steam as we approach these crucial months ahead, but if it does happen there’s an argument to be made that Slot had his hands tied regarding rotation due to a lack on investment.

Of all, it is the Dutchman who has got Liverpool in this position with an eight-point gap – but whether that can be maintained only time will tell.

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