Andy Robertson not the only key Liverpool player now at serious risk of being replaced after poor form - opinion
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After putting themselves into such a good position, Liverpool are starting to stumble a little in the Premier League.
Four points clear and with a game in hand, there’s no world in which the Reds are not still favourites to lift the title in May.
However, having drawn back-to-back games against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest, the Premier League table no longer makes for as good a reading as it once did.
Part of the problem for Liverpool is that individual players have seen a drop off in their level.
The player who has perhaps taken the most heat in this respect is left-back Andy Robertson. Robertson has been struggling of late and it’s clear that Liverpool need to replace him sooner rather than later.
But the 30-year-old is not the only one wo has been below-par. And, somewhat surprisingly, there are growing question marks over goalkeeper Alisson Becker.
Alisson Becker must improve for Liverpool
Alisson is a phenomenal goalkeeper and has been a key player at Anfield ever since his arrival in 2018.
However, there is a reason Liverpool went out and bought Giorgi Mamardashvili last summer.
Mamardashvili looks like a top ‘keeper in the making and given that Alisson has a history of picking up injuries, it was a good call to future proof the Reds’ goalkeeping department.
After being signed and immediately sent out on-loan, the belief has been that Mamardashvili will arrive to challenge Alisson for the number one shirt next season, with Caoimhin Kelleher likely to leave.
READ MORE: Ian Wright left devastated by what he's seen happening to Andy Robertson at Liverpool this season
But while Alisson’s injuries – or a potential exit – have previously been the only barriers to him staying as first choice next year, his form is now a worry.
The Brazilian has played eight times since returning from injury in December, with Liverpool conceding 10 goals in that time. Given that the Reds have faced an xG of 6.65 across those games, that is a worrying statistic.
Giorgi Mamardashvili waiting in the wings
Alisson should certainly be cut some slack having missed a decent amount of football before his return. The 32-year-old is still getting his rhythm after more than two months missing.
However, the signs are unfortunately there that Alisson is not quite the same goalkeeper as before his most recent hamstring problem.
Apperances | Goals Conceded | Clean Sheets | Save Percentage | |
Alisson Becker PL 24/25 | 12 | 11 | 4 | 67.6% |
Over the last four he has played, for example, Liverpool have faced 11 shots on target. Four of them have gone in. That isn’t good enough for a player of Alisson’s level.
With Mamardashvili waiting to arrive in the summer, a similar level for the remainder of the season will give Arne Slot a difficult decision to make ahead of next season.
Still, Alisson is seen as the best in the world for a reason. The Brazil international will hopefully bounce back and show his best form once again. Fail to do that, though, and Ali is putting himself in real danger of losing his spot in 2025.