Emile Heskey reveals Liverpool 'just need time' as he gives verdict on early season struggles

Fintan Starkey

By Fintan Starkey


Published: 14/10/2025

- 13:29

The former Liverpool star has given his thoughts on Liverpool’s poor start to the season

Emile Heskey has revealed that “it’s early days” despite Liverpool’s difficult start to the new Premier League season, with the Reds icon downplaying their recent struggles.

Liverpool are currently on a three-game losing streak losing streak after suffering defeats to Crystal Palace and Chelsea in the Premier League and Galatasaray in the Champions League.


Heskey, who played for Liverpool between 2000 to 2004, made 223 appearances and scored 60 goals in his time on Merseyside.

The former forward has claimed fans do not need to stress and Liverpool will find their form as the season progresses. Speaking to Pundit Arena, he said: “I would probably put these defeats to an early-season blip more than anything else. But then the thing is, when you look at the other games, we haven't really done great have we?

Emile Heskey

Emile Heskey played for Liverpool between 2000-2004

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“We've probably nicked a couple of games right at the death and then had the last two games we’ve had the games taken away from us. I think we're still bedding in a couple of the new players, but we'll get there. At the end of the day, it's early days and we're still in the hunt."

Florian Wirtz has been the standout underperformer for Liverpool after his big-money move for £116million, struggling to create any goals or chances for the Premier League champions, and Heskey thinks it may be best to remove the German from the side for the time being,.

He continued: “Sometimes you've got to take someone out of the firing line for their own good, because if you ask the player, they'll say, ‘no, keep me playing’. And it might not be right for them.

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“Slot will want to give him [Wirtz] a little freshen up, and then slowly bring him back into the team. When you look at the intensity that he has to play at in this Liverpool side, I doubt he would've had to play like that ever before.

“So he's got to get used to that and then as well, when you're talking about defensively, you've got to say some of the Premier League defences are the best in the world.”

Many questions have been asked about how to organise the new offence that Arne Slot has brought in to his side, with their big performers struggling. Heskey had his say, stating: “When you are losing, they're the little details that people will look at and pick up.

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Florian Wirtz

Florian Wirtz has had a tough start to life to life in the Premier League

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“I'm pretty sure Mo will get back to his best. It’s an interesting one for Arne Slot because - can you take Mo off? Because he generally seems to get the team a goal. Even if he hasn't touched the ball for 10, 15, 20, 35 minutes, he’ll get that goal.

“So he’s the sort of player that can frustrate you at times, but sometimes you have to leave him on because you know he’s got a goal in him.”

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Wayne Rooney has notably said that Mohamed Salah isn’t doing enough to help Slot’s side, but the 47-year-old disagrees with the Manchester United legend, revealing: "His work ethic is no different to the last five or six seasons. It's just that he has not scored at the same rate.

“So when he scores, it takes our minds off the fact that he hasn't done that tracking back because he’s gone and scored two goals and they've won 4-3, 4-2. But when you’re losing those are the details that get highlighted.

Arne Slot

Arne Slot will be searching for answers as his team come back from the international break

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“I’m sure he’ll get back to his best. Do you risk dropping him or taking him off? I’m not sure you can."

Liverpool will try to end their losing streak against Manchester United as they travel to Old Trafford to face Ruben Amorim’s side on Sunday.