IT'LL SLOT IN...

Legend Barnes backs new-look Reds to come good but writes off title bid

- PAUL GORST

JOHN BARNES says Arne Slot will get it right with his new-look squad but he can only see Liverpool finishing third.

The Premier League champions have lost five of their 11 games so far this season - while they were beaten just four times en route to claiming the club's 20th title.

The summer months saw Slot (top) and sporting director Richard Hughes commit to £450million on new arrivals, including £116m Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, who eclipsed the Germany international as the most expensive signing in British transfer history at £125m from Premier League rivals Newcastle.

Around half of that outlay was recouped in player sales, but the high turnover has played a part in a difficult few months for the Reds, who return to action against Nottingham Forest tomorrow.