Liverpool’s Struggles Continue as Slot Faces Tough Questions

Liverpool FC’s recent performance has raised significant concerns as the team suffered a disappointing 3-2 defeat against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium. Head coach Arne Slot faced scrutiny over the team’s lack of cohesion and basic errors, which have contributed to a troubling losing streak.

The defeat to Brentford marked another opportunity for Liverpool to turn their fortunes around, but instead highlighted the team’s ongoing struggles. In previous matches against Crystal Palace and Chelsea FC, Liverpool could point to late goals as a reason for their losses. In contrast, the defeat to Brentford showcased fundamental issues, as the players repeatedly surrendered possession under minimal pressure.

Liverpool’s defensive lapses were evident, particularly during a lackluster 20-minute period after half-time, when they failed to register a single shot. In his post-match comments, Slot attempted to explain the team’s form, but many observers felt his justifications fell short of addressing the core issues.

Slot remarked, “I don’t know if it’s being seen as an excuse but of the last six games we’ve played, there have been five away, something that is not helpful if you’re on the run of form we’re on.” While it is true that five of those six matches were away from home, Liverpool had previously boasted the best away record in the 2024-25 season, making this argument less compelling.

The team’s failure to perform well in difficult matches has been a consistent theme. Liverpool has lost four of its last six matches against teams such as Galatasaray and Brentford, raising questions about whether their struggles are due to the venue or deeper systemic issues.

Slot also addressed the quick turnaround from their midweek match against Eintracht Frankfurt, suggesting that the compressed schedule may have impacted the players’ performance. “You’re always hoping if you win a game in the week, although it’s only two days’ rest when you come over here, of course you’re hoping for a better result,” he said. Yet, with a deep squad, Slot’s rationale for the lapses in play did not resonate with many fans and analysts.

A contentious moment in the match came when Virgil van Dijk conceded a penalty, which Slot described as “a very soft penalty to concede.” The decision, made by referee Tim Robinson after a review, only compounded the frustrations of a team already struggling for form. Meanwhile, Slot’s captain’s reckless challenge was seen as indicative of the broader issues plaguing Liverpool’s defense.

Slot also reflected on the impact of squad changes over the summer, acknowledging, “It definitely has to do with if you change quite a lot in the summer. I think it’s not a surprise it can go a bit like this.” Liverpool has seen significant turnover in its roster, with key players such as Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez leaving, raising questions about the effectiveness of recent acquisitions.

Despite making a few promising signings, the new players have largely underperformed, contributing to the team’s current predicament. The performance of Florian Wirtz against Brentford highlighted this struggle; while he displayed flashes of skill, he often lost possession and failed to connect with teammates in critical moments.

Liverpool’s inability to adapt to the physical style of play employed by Brentford further exacerbated their issues. The home side effectively utilized long throws and set-pieces, which Slot noted had been a focus in training. Yet, Liverpool’s failure to execute basic defensive principles allowed Brentford to capitalize on their mistakes.

“It was a desperately poor performance,” Slot admitted, acknowledging that the team failed to learn from previous matches. The current streak of four consecutive losses has left Liverpool at a crossroads, with little room for excuses remaining.

As the players and coaching staff regroup, the focus will need to shift toward addressing the core problems that have led to this troubling run. With the pressure mounting, Liverpool’s next steps will be critical in determining whether they can salvage their season and restore their reputation as a competitive force in football.