Liverpool's Title Hopes Dashed

Liverpool entered the day with dreams of clinching the Premier League title based on certain results. However, their hopes were swiftly extinguished when Ipswich faced a crushing defeat against Arsenal, leaving the Reds to kick off against Leicester with no chance of celebrating a championship.

A Disappointing Performance

As the match unfolded, it became painfully clear that Liverpool was far from championship-ready. Arne Slot's squad displayed a sluggish and disorganized performance, once again failing to demonstrate the urgency required in a title race.

Criticism of Slot's Selection

Amidst the lackluster action at the King Power Stadium, Slot faced sharp criticism for some questionable choices in his lineup. Notably, he opted for Kostas Tsimikas over Andy Robertson for yet another game, raising eyebrows about a potential shift in Liverpool's left-back hierarchy.

Luis Diaz: A Misfit in the Middle

Perhaps the most contentious decision was Slot's choice to place Luis Diaz in a central striker role instead of Diogo Jota. BBC Sport pundit Clinton Morrison weighed in, calling it a grave mistake. "I don’t like Luis Diaz in the centre forward position. He drops too deep," he remarked, suggesting Jota could have made a more significant impact.

Missed Opportunities Highlighting the Need for a Striker

Diaz's struggles were on full display as he failed to convert a solid chance, further validating Morrison's critique. "He should be hitting the target, but he’s leaning back. He is not a natural striker," he added, emphasizing Liverpool's urgent need for a true centre-forward this summer.

Summer Reinforcements Are Essential

While Diaz had his moments in the match, it became glaringly obvious that he is not the solution to Liverpool's striker woes—nor is Jota, who missed key opportunities after coming on. Meanwhile, Darwin Nunez remained glued to the bench for another week, prompting urgent calls for summer reinforcements.

The upshot? Liverpool's summer transfer plans are more crucial than ever if they hope to return to title-winning form. Despite their current troubles, they remain in the race for the league. However, change is needed to make sure they can capitalize on their potential next season.