Liverpool’s decline under Arne Slot reached a new low on a bitterly cold night in west London, as Brentford dismantled the Premier League champions 3–2 in a game that exposed every crack in the Dutchman’s project. The narrow scoreline flattered Liverpool. The gulf in intensity, structure, and hunger told the true story.
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This was not a night of unlucky breaks or tactical gambles gone wrong. It was a brutal reality check for a team that, just months ago, swept all before them. And while Slot blamed opponents’ “new approach” of long balls and deep defensive setups, it’s time he looked inward — because Liverpool were beaten in every department.
Early Collapse, Familiar Flaws
The warning signs arrived immediately. Just five minutes in, Brentford’s direct style cut through Liverpool’s fragile defence. A long throw from Michael Kayode caused chaos, Kristoffer Ajer flicked it on, and Dango Ouattara finished with ease.
It was the kind of goal Liverpool has conceded too often this season — born of poor organisation and slow reactions. Slot’s side, once defined by pressing and cohesion, looked utterly lost. Every set piece, every counterattack, every long pass into space had the Reds scrambling.
Brentford, under the increasingly impressive Keith Andrews, were sharper, hungrier, and tactically superior. They attacked with confidence, defended with structure, and exposed Liverpool’s lack of bite in midfield. Mikkel Damsgaard’s magnificent through-ball released Kevin Schade for Brentford’s second goal, and by that point, it felt like game over.
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Liverpool’s response? Nervous passing, disjointed pressing, and individual errors — the trademarks of a team in turmoil.
Van Dijk and the Defence in Disarray
Captain Virgil van Dijk once symbolised Liverpool’s defensive dominance. Now, he’s at the centre of their collapse. His partnership with summer signing Milos Kerkez — a £40 million addition — looked uncertain and uneasy all evening. Their miscommunication was glaring, with both players gesturing in frustration throughout the first half.
Van Dijk’s nightmare deepened when he brought down Ouattara on the edge of the box, conceding a penalty that Igor Thiago buried to make it 3–1. It was a moment that summed up Liverpool’s chaos — a captain out of form, a defence out of shape, and a system out of sync.
Since May, Liverpool have conceded two or more goals in nine Premier League games, more than any other side. Fourteen goals in nine matches this season is a staggering decline from their title-winning campaign, when they didn’t concede their 14th goal until their 16th match.
Midfield Missing, Wirtz Under Fire
Liverpool’s midfield, once the engine of their dominance, was nonexistent. Even the usually composed Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai looked overwhelmed. The connection between defence and attack broke down entirely, leaving the backline exposed and the forwards isolated.
Much of the pre-match attention centred on Florian Wirtz — the £116 million summer signing from Bayer Leverkusen. After showing promise in Liverpool’s 5–1 Champions League win over Eintracht Frankfurt, the German was expected to finally find his rhythm. Instead, he missed a golden first-half chance and was later substituted for Joe Gomez with seven minutes left — a tactical move that felt like a public statement from Slot.
Brentford fans mocked him with chants of “What a waste of money” as he left the pitch. Harsh, perhaps, but not entirely unearned. Wirtz looked lost, out of sync, and unsure of his role — symbolic of a team still searching for its identity.
Salah’s Flicker, But No Fire
Mohamed Salah’s late goal — a trademark finish that gave Liverpool faint hope — was a reminder of his enduring class. But even one of the club’s all-time greats is struggling to inspire belief. His confidence appears shaken, his connection with the new system uncertain.
Without proper service, striker Hugo Ekitike, one of the few bright spots of the summer, was a spectator. The absence of injured stars Alexander Isak and Ryan Gravenberch only worsened Liverpool’s imbalance, leaving Salah to shoulder too much responsibility.
Slot’s Search for Answers
After the match, Slot admitted what everyone already knew: “It was a disappointing result and a disappointing performance. Conceding three goals is far too much if you want to win a game of football. We didn’t do the basics right.”
The Dutchman faces mounting pressure. His side has now lost four consecutive Premier League matches — a run that last happened in February 2021. Liverpool are now in danger of being left behind in the title race, especially if Arsenal win their next fixture.
The upcoming schedule offers no reprieve: Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup, Aston Villa in the league, Real Madrid in the Champions League, and Manchester City away. With Erling Haaland likely relishing the prospect of facing Liverpool’s shaky defence, the outlook is grim.
Slot was hired for his tactical acumen and ability to modernise Liverpool’s playstyle. But so far, his system looks disjointed, his record-breaking summer signings underwhelming, and his dressing room fragile. Nearly £450 million has been spent, yet the Reds appear worse, not better.
Conclusion: Trouble Brewing at Anfield
Liverpool’s struggles are no longer a blip — they’re a full-blown crisis. From Van Dijk’s errors to Wirtz’s struggles and Salah’s fading spark, every layer of the team feels unsettled. Slot can talk about opposition tactics all he wants, but the truth is simpler: Liverpool has lost their identity.
If the Dutchman can’t rediscover it soon, this winter could be long and cold for the champions of England — and for the fans who once believed this was just a rough patch.
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