Brighton did something to Liverpool that I really didn't like - Arne Slot must experiment
John Aldridge gives his views on Liverpool's defeat to Brighton and Arne Slot's experimental line-up
John Aldridge is a football columist for the Daily Post. Also is a former Liverpool FC and Republic of Ireland striker whose keen eye for goal is now match with his cutting analysis of the modern game.
I don't like to see us get beat, but I understand the manager is trying to find out a few things going forward. Saying that, Liverpool have shown frailties in these last few games since winning the Premier League title.
There's been some really poor defending to be quite honest, eight goals shipped in three matches is really poor. As long as the manager gets what he wants, he'll learn a few things about his squad.
But what I really didn't like to see is Liverpool being pinned back by Brighton. With all due respect to them, they aren't Paris Saint-Germain. Don't get me wrong, they are a good team but seeing us get pinned in our own half by them isn't good. We haven't seen that a lot.
As long as we benefit and the manager benefits for next year, then it's okay.
The one biggest thing for me is that we need a centre-forward that will hold up the ball and help us get out and up the pitch. Federico Chiesa didn't do that. He kept dropping deep because we had so many men behind the ball. It's not really the Liverpool way, we needed someone up top who can take the pressure off the defenders.
I do like Chiesa, but I'm really not sure where he fits in. He's a strange one, clearly a good player with a lot of ability but he's hardly had any opportunities.
I don't know where the club stands regarding his future.
In midfield, Dominik Szoboszlai played in a deeper role but he didn't really do enough to protect the back four. None of the midfield did, even Ryan Gravenberch who has been so good this season. We were far too open in that area throughout the game.
But the manager needs to look at things and experiment. Liverpool need to improve next season. He needs to find some new approaches for because teams do figure you out.
I've seen it myself, managers come in, implement a style of play and teams are taken by surprise at first but after a while the opposition work out your system and adapt, then learn how to count it. That's why it's always so difficult to retain the title.
Arne Slot has to come up with ways of making us better.
Liverpool must end on a high
It's important for Arne Slot to try new things but Liverpool will want to end this season on a good note. It'll be a party weekend on Merseyside but make no mistake, this is a big game and you can take the last game into next season.
People might not agree with me but let's enjoy the weekend, but let's make sure we enjoy it with a victory.
I'm delighted for Crystal Palace after they won the FA Cup. I have a lot of respect for Palace, they are the best team in London. They have the best support in London and I always enjoyed playing at Selhurst Park.
They are a proper fanbase, they sing about their own team and we've got them in the last game of this season and the first of next, which is great.
So let's finish on a high with a win over them and really celebrate this season.