Liverpool's alarming decline continued with a humiliating 4-1 home defeat to PSV Eindhoven that left manager Arne Slot admitting he felt "almost confused" by his team's performance.
The loss marks Liverpool's ninth defeat in their last twelve matches, raising serious questions about Slot's ability to revive what one analysis describes as a "Frankenstein's monster" of a team.
Defensive Collapse at Anfield
The match began disastrously for the Reds when captain Virgil van Dijk conceded a penalty after just five minutes through an extraordinary overhead handball. The Dutch defender compounded the error by complaining to the referee about the decision.
Van Dijk's performance deteriorated throughout the match, earning a booking for a poor challenge and appearing disorganised during PSV's third goal. His off-field activities, including a carefree holiday booking advertisement at half-time, seemed jarringly out of sync with the team's on-pitch struggles.
Familiar Frailties Exposed
Liverpool's defensive vulnerabilities followed a predictable pattern that has become all too familiar this season. The second goal saw Mohamed Salah's defensive limitations exposed as Anass Salah-Eddine easily bypassed him before setting up Couhaib Driouech for PSV's second.
The third goal highlighted Ibrahima Konaté's loss of form and confidence, with the centre-back struggling to turn and chase back effectively. The summer transfer strategy has been questioned, particularly the decision to sell Jarell Quansah while spending record fees on unnecessary attacking reinforcements.
Root Causes of Liverpool's Decline
The fundamental issue appears to be a reversal of the intensity that defined Liverpool's success under previous management. Where they once overwhelmed opponents, they now appear consistently outrun and overpowered.
Analysis suggests the problem stems from too many new signings diluting the collective will that previously drove the team. The current squad resembles a patchwork of mismatched components rather than a cohesive unit with clear identity and method.
Opponents now find Liverpool "nice to play against" with every game appearing losable. Despite the talent within the squad, there appears to be no clear system or team structure, leaving observers wondering if Slot can fix a malaise he apparently didn't anticipate.
The comprehensive nature of this defeat, against opponents who perfectly exploited Liverpool's weaknesses with vigorous pressing and quick breaks, suggests this may represent a potential point of no return for Slot's tenure unless significant changes are implemented quickly.
