Liverpool’s Start Under Slot: AC Milan, Nottingham Forest, and Squad Rotation Concerns

Liverpool’s early season performances under new manager Arne Slot have captured attention, with highlights from both their Champions League clash with AC Milan and a concerning slip against Nottingham Forest in the league. As Jim Boardman and Jay Reid discussed on their recent Scouser Tommies podcast, the season is already serving up lessons about the team’s strengths and areas of concern.

A European Masterclass in Milan

Boardman and Reid kicked off by praising Liverpool’s 3-1 win over AC Milan in the Champions League. Despite a shaky start, where Milan netted an early goal, Jim Boardman highlighted that after “just two minutes, Milan had scored, and it felt like we were still waking up.” Yet, Liverpool took control, turning the match around. As Boardman put it, “After that goal, we just didn’t take long to take control of the game,” and they secured what Boardman described as “a lesson in how to win away in Europe.”

The win in Milan was not only critical for the points but served as a stark contrast to their defeat against Nottingham Forest. Reid emphasized, “Opening moments aside, Liverpool looked as good against Milan as they did in those games leading up to the international break.”

For fans and pundits alike, this game was a reminder of Liverpool’s European pedigree. Slot’s side demonstrated a “controlled approach,” which Reid noted had been lacking in the Forest game. Boardman expressed his surprise that the game “only ended 3-1,” implying Liverpool could have inflicted further damage. Both contributors agreed that Milan, despite their reputation, had “few answers.”

Nottingham Forest Shock: A Warning Sign?

While Milan was a high, the 1-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest was a wake-up call. Jay Reid brought attention to one of the major concerns that has emerged from Liverpool’s domestic campaign: the lack of squad rotation. “Slot seems to be worryingly averse to rotating his squad,” Reid noted. This was evident against Forest, where fatigue seemed to catch up with the players, as the same core XI were relied upon game after game.

Reid explained the impact of Slot’s limited substitutions, mentioning how “he tends to leave his substitutions until late, so those on the pitch are getting a lot of minutes – and those on the bench might be rustier than we’d like when they do get to play.” This echoes a broader concern about squad depth, or rather the lack of it, which both contributors agreed was exacerbated by a quiet summer transfer window.

Jim Boardman added, “The squad wasn’t strengthened in the summer, more players left than joined,” suggesting that the club may be in trouble if injuries start piling up. The lack of fresh legs and limited squad rotation could be a major challenge in the coming weeks, with more intense fixtures on the horizon.

Squad Rotation and the Road Ahead

Liverpool’s congested fixture list means rotation will be critical, and Jay Reid expressed his expectation for changes moving forward. “Jay expected more changes” after the international break but felt disappointed by Slot’s reluctance to make wholesale adjustments. With several upcoming matches, including the defence of their League Cup, Liverpool cannot afford to keep running their starting XI into the ground. Boardman urged that the League Cup is “an ideal opportunity to give some of those lads who’ve mainly been warming the bench a chance.”

As Liverpool continues into the season, balancing domestic and European commitments will be essential. Reid and Boardman both echoed the need for smart rotation if Liverpool is to challenge on multiple fronts, with Reid stating, “We need to rotate and get these players to last the whole season.”

Lessons Learned and Looking Forward

Liverpool’s start under Slot has been filled with highs and lows. The win against AC Milan offered glimpses of what the side can achieve when they are in full flow, while the Forest defeat revealed some worrying cracks. As Jim Boardman said, “It’s been a start most Reds would have been delighted with had they been offered it before the start of the season,” but warned that Slot’s reluctance to rotate could become a bigger issue if not addressed soon.

With games against Nottingham Forest and AC Milan now behind them, the next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether Slot can guide Liverpool to another successful season, or if the cracks in their squad depth will widen.