Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has delivered a stark assessment of his former club's alarming slump, insisting they are not yet in a crisis despite a humiliating 4-1 home defeat to PSV Eindhoven. The loss at Anfield on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, marks a staggering ninth defeat in just 12 games for Arne Slot's side, their worst run of form since the 1950s.
Anfield Nightmare Unfolds
The Champions League tie quickly turned into a nightmare for The Reds. PSV took an early lead from the penalty spot after a bizarre handball by Virgil van Dijk. Dominic Szoboszlai provided a brief glimmer of hope with an equaliser after 16 minutes, but Liverpool's control in the first half completely evaporated after the break.
Guus Til put the Dutch visitors back in front, and substitute Couhaib Driouech compounded the misery with a late double, sealing a comprehensive 4-1 victory. The defeat was so decisive that Anfield seats were empty with 10 minutes still to play, a telling sign of the fans' frustration.
Gerrard's Blunt Analysis
Speaking on TNT Sports after the match, Gerrard was scathing in his criticism of the team's performance, particularly their defensive vulnerabilities. "They're conceding too many goals, they're wide open in transition, look very vulnerable and unstable as soon as the ball turns over," said the former England captain.
He pinpointed specific tactical failures, noting the team is "wide open for counter-attacks" and plagued by individual mistakes. Gerrard highlighted the unusual substitution of Ibrahima Konate as a significant moment, arguing that the final back four of Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch, Virgil van Dijk, and Milos Kerkez was not fit for purpose. "That's not a Liverpool back four and never will be," he stated bluntly.
Crisis Denied, But Concerns Mount
Despite the harsh critique, Gerrard pushed back against labelling the situation a full-blown crisis. He defined a crisis as a club needing years to recover, a point he believes Liverpool have not reached. "I don't think Liverpool are at that point at all," Gerrard said. "They've still got magnificent players. This is still the majority of a squad that won the league a few months ago."
However, he conceded that the team is "struggling massively" and urgently needs to "stop the bleeding." The pressure is intensifying on manager Arne Slot, with Gerrard emphasising that the club faces a night of "soul searching" after a defeat that deepens their existing problems. While stopping short of declaring a crisis, Gerrard's analysis paints a picture of a club in serious trouble, with its legendary figure demanding immediate and significant improvement.
