Liverpool’s campaign, once defined by momentum and optimism, has descended into chaos after a humiliating 4-1 defeat to PSV at Anfield. The loss marks their ninth defeat in 12 matches, signalling the club’s worst run in 71 years and sparking alarms across Merseyside.
Arne Slot, who guided Liverpool to a Premier League title in his debut season, now finds his credibility under severe scrutiny. The Dutchman, heralded for his tactical sharpness and calm authority, appears increasingly short of solutions as his side slips to 13th in the Champions League league phase and 12th in the Premier League.
The statistics paint a grim picture. Liverpool have suffered three consecutive defeats by margins of three goals—something not seen since December 1953—while conceding seven goals in just five days at home, once considered an impenetrable fortress.
Midfielder Curtis Jones did not hide his despair, telling RTE that he was “past being angry” and “without words” to explain the team’s collapse. Fans, still buoyed by last season’s triumph, now face a stark new reality as performances crumble at an alarming pace.
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock voiced concerns on BBC Sport, noting a clear lack of cohesion and desire. “At the moment things are not clicking,” he said. “The defeats are compounding, and the lack of fight is really hard to watch.”
A Decline Months in the Making
Liverpool’s troubles began quietly after their seven-match winning streak. A run of six defeats in seven games triggered early warnings, though back-to-back victories over Aston Villa and Real Madrid briefly restored hope earlier in November.
But that resurgence faded quickly. A 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, while painful, was seen as an acceptable setback against one of Europe’s strongest sides. Losing by the same margin to struggling Nottingham Forest, however, exposed deeper flaws and crushed the fragile optimism within the squad.
Wednesday’s loss to PSV—only Liverpool’s second home defeat in 26 Champions League group-stage matches—further darkened the mood. Slot’s managerial record against the Dutch club hardly inspires confidence either: only one win in his past eight meetings.
Recruitment Under the Microscope
Slot’s summer signings have struggled to adapt, intensifying criticism. Record signing Alexander Isak has yet to score, raising concerns about his fit in Liverpool’s system. Florian Wirtz remains sidelined by injury, while left-back Milos Kerkez continues to falter defensively.
Despite trailing PSV heavily, Slot made only two substitutions—a decision that baffled analysts and supporters alike. Replacing Hugo Ekitike due to injury and bringing on Ibrahima Konaté for Federico Chiesa offered little relief as the performance deteriorated.
The brightest spark amid the gloom has been Dominik Szoboszlai. Returned to central midfield, he delivered energy, creativity and a goal, highlighting the wastefulness of earlier experiments that deployed him as a makeshift right-back.
Leadership Under Threat
Although Liverpool are not known for hasty managerial dismissals, the pressure on Slot is mounting. His strong opening months now feel distant as the team grapples with a systemic decline in confidence and execution.
Steven Gerrard, speaking on TNT Sports, warned that Liverpool’s form is “terrible” and confidence “at an all-time low.” While he stopped short of calling the situation a “crisis,” he urged immediate changes and renewed stability.
“You cannot deny the team is struggling massively,” Gerrard said. “Unless the manager finds answers, this situation will continue.” Slot, however, insists he is not thinking about his future. He acknowledged the severity of the slump but maintained that his focus remains on improving performances.
“This run is a shock for everyone,” he admitted. “We can all do better individually, including myself. I need to do better—every day.”
An Urgent Need for Answers
Liverpool’s collapse has left supporters searching for explanations, but the causes appear multifaceted: a crisis of confidence, stuttering recruitment, tactical confusion and a mounting injury list have merged into the club’s worst form in decades.
With crucial fixtures ahead and Champions League hopes fading, Slot faces a defining period. Restoring energy, belief and tactical clarity will be essential if Liverpool are to rescue their season.
What once looked like a promising era has suddenly veered toward instability. Whether Slot can reverse the trajectory—or whether Liverpool will be forced to consider a harsher alternative—will shape the coming months at Anfield.
