ANFIELD: Liverpool’s troubles are deepening as manager Arne Slot faces growing pressure to find solutions following a 2–1 home defeat to Manchester United their fourth consecutive loss in all competitions, the club’s worst run since 2014 under Brendan Rodgers.
The Reds, who began the season with seven straight wins, have since seen their form collapse.
Sunday’s defeat marked United’s first victory at Anfield since 2016, exposing Liverpool’s lack of cohesion and declining confidence.
Star forward Mohamed Salah has looked a shadow of his former self. The Egyptian, who claimed the Premier League Golden Boot last season, has managed just one goal from open play this term and missed two major chances against United.
He was even substituted as Liverpool chased an equaliser a rare sight for the team’s talisman.
Though Slot hopes it’s a temporary dip, critics like former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believe Salah, now 33, should no longer be guaranteed a starting place.
When you get to a certain age, you have to understand that, especially when you’re not playing well, Carragher told Sky Sports.
Liverpool spent heavily in the summer, investing over $450 million on new talent, including record signings Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.
Yet, neither has found the net in the Premier League. French forward Hugo Ekitike has shown flashes of promise but remains behind Isak in the pecking order.
The tragic death of Diogo Jota in a car crash in July continues to cast a long shadow, with the team still struggling to fill the void left by the Portuguese star. Defensively, summer arrivals Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong have failed to impress, leaving the backline vulnerable.
Liverpool’s defense, once their foundation for success, now appears brittle. The team has conceded two or more goals in eight of their last 12 league matches, more than any other Premier League side since May.
Centre-back Ibrahima Konate has endured heavy criticism for inconsistent performances, while captain Virgil van Dijk was caught out in the buildup to Bryan Mbeumo’s opener on Sunday.
The club’s failure to secure Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi before the transfer deadline now looks costly.
Guehi, who has refused a new deal at Palace, may become available in January, but his potential arrival could come too late to rescue Liverpool’s faltering title ambitions.
Slot, who enjoyed early success with an attacking brand of football, must now urgently address his side’s defensive frailties and revive the form of key players before the season slips further away.
