Robbie Fowler has voiced increasing alarm over Liverpool’s performances this season, arguing that the club may have made a major strategic error by allowing a crucial £65 million player to depart during the summer transfer window.
The Anfield icon believes that this decision has left Arne Slot’s squad with a noticeable gap — one that has not been filled despite several new arrivals. According to Fowler, the implications of that transfer are becoming more visible with every passing match.
Fowler suggests that the player who left offered a blend of attributes that Liverpool are now struggling to find within their current lineup. Whether it was his technical creativity, his physical strength in midfield battles, or the calm tactical balance he provided, the former striker insists that the team has lost an essential component of its structure.
He claims that Liverpool are paying the price for underestimating how influential the player had been in linking play, controlling tempo, and stepping up during high-pressure moments.
Without that presence, Fowler believes the team has become inconsistent and far more fragile in key phases of matches. He points out that Slot has been forced into constant adjustments — whether in formation, personnel, or tactical approach — simply because the squad no longer has a natural replacement who offers the same reliability and versatility.
This constant reshuffling, he argues, has prevented Liverpool from developing a stable rhythm or building the chemistry needed to compete at the highest level.
Although Liverpool made several signings during the summer, Fowler maintains that none of them have adequately replaced the influence of the outgoing star.
While the new additions bring their own strengths and potential, he feels the club overlooked just how central the £65 million player had been to the team’s identity and effectiveness. Fowler warns that such an oversight can haunt a team for an entire season, especially when rivals are strengthening and building continuity.
His remarks have added fuel to an already growing conversation among supporters and analysts, many of whom share the opinion that Liverpool mishandled a critical part of their summer business.
Fans across social media have echoed Fowler’s concerns, saying the decision has left the team weaker and more vulnerable than expected. With the campaign moving forward, attention is now turning to how Liverpool will respond. Will the club find a way to replace what was lost — either through tactical evolution or future signings — or will this departure remain a defining flaw that shapes their entire season?
