‘The Belief Is There!’ – Alexander Isak Claims Liverpool Will Bounce Back from Another Late Loss as Arne Slot’s Men Head into International Break on Run of Three Straight Defeats

Liverpool’s Late-Game Agony Continues as Chelsea Snatch Another Dramatic Win

It was another night of heartbreak for Liverpool fans — a familiar feeling that seems to be creeping back into the club’s recent narrative. A 2-1 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday marked the Reds’ third consecutive loss in all competitions, leaving new boss Arne Slot facing his first real test since taking charge.

For Alexander Isak, who provided the assist for Cody Gakpo’s equaliser in West London, the result was a bitter pill to swallow. “It’s the worst way to lose,” the Swedish striker admitted post-match, his frustration clear but his belief unwavering. “We know what we’re capable of, and we have to get back to showing that.”

As the players now disperse for the international break, Liverpool are left to reflect on a bruising fortnight — one that has raised questions about form, mentality, and the early adaptation to life under their new manager.

A Familiar Pattern: Liverpool Suffer Third Straight Defeat

Saturday’s defeat had an all-too-familiar sting for the travelling Reds supporters. After a spirited fightback to level the score, they were once again undone by a late lapse in concentration. Estevão, Chelsea’s 17-year-old sensation, struck deep into stoppage time to hand the Blues all three points, sending Stamford Bridge into rapture and Liverpool into despair.

It was the third time in as many games that the Reds had been punished late on. Losses to Crystal Palace (2-1) and Galatasaray (3-2) had already piled on the pressure, but this one felt particularly cruel. Not only did it extend their losing run, but it also exposed the psychological fragility that Slot must address if Liverpool are to mount a serious title challenge this season.

Isak Admits Frustration but Stresses ‘The Belief Is There’

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Speaking after the match, Alexander Isak cut a dejected yet determined figure. “I think we started off pretty bad,” he admitted candidly. “In the end it’s obviously tough conceding in the last minute like that. In the same way that winning like this is the best feeling, I think it’s the worst to lose in this type of way.”

Isak, who joined from Newcastle United during the summer window, has been easing into his new surroundings at Anfield. Saturday’s assist — his first goal involvement in Liverpool colours — was a bright spot in an otherwise frustrating evening. The 25-year-old’s calm composure on the ball and sharp link-up play with Gakpo offered glimpses of what’s to come.

But the Swede knows that belief, not just talent, is what defines great teams. “We just have to keep working hard, bounce back, and get back to winning ways,” he continued. “I think the belief is there that we can. This team has shown many times that we can respond. It’s never easy, but if we stick to the plan and work on the details, I’m confident we’ll get there.”

Slot Faces His First True Test as Liverpool Manager

For Arne Slot, the international break couldn’t come at a better time. The Dutchman, who replaced Jürgen Klopp over the summer, made a strong start to life at Anfield with an unbeaten run that lifted Liverpool to the top of the table in September. But the recent slide has been a stark reminder of how relentless the Premier League can be.

Slot’s possession-based system, inspired by his success at Feyenoord, has shown promise in flashes — Liverpool have dominated large spells of most games — yet moments of sloppiness and defensive naivety have repeatedly cost them points. The high press, once Liverpool’s trademark weapon, has looked disjointed at times, with midfielders struggling to close down spaces and the backline often caught out of position.

The Dutch coach will now use the two-week break to reassess and recalibrate. His challenge is twofold: rebuild confidence in a dressing room that has taken some psychological blows and tighten the tactical details that have led to these late-game collapses.

Isak’s Growing Role and the Search for Consistency

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Amid the gloom, one of the positives for Liverpool has been the emergence of Alexander Isak as a genuine attacking option. After a turbulent preseason and limited minutes in his first few weeks, Isak is beginning to find rhythm in the red shirt. His intelligent movement and willingness to link play give Slot another dimension in attack, especially as Mohamed Salah and Gakpo continue to shoulder most of the goalscoring burden.

Saturday’s assist to Gakpo showed flashes of the chemistry brewing in Liverpool’s frontline. Receiving the ball just outside the box, Isak turned sharply and slipped a perfectly weighted pass through Chelsea’s defence, allowing Gakpo to slot home the equaliser. It was a moment that underlined the Swede’s technical quality — and hinted at why Liverpool were so keen to bring him in from Newcastle.

Still, consistency remains the buzzword. For a team that has scored in every Premier League match this season, Liverpool’s problem isn’t creating chances — it’s finishing them and maintaining focus until the final whistle.

The Cost of Late Goals

Few statistics will frustrate Slot more than this: in their last five matches, Liverpool have conceded four goals in the final ten minutes. Those late lapses have turned potential wins into draws and draws into defeats, draining momentum at a crucial stage of the campaign.

It’s a worrying trend for a side that prides itself on intensity and mental resilience. During Klopp’s era, Liverpool were renowned for their ability to grind out results, often scoring late winners themselves. Under Slot, that killer instinct has wavered — and restoring it will be essential if the Reds are to challenge Manchester City and Arsenal at the top.

International Break Brings a Chance to Reset

For Liverpool supporters, the timing of the international break might be a blessing in disguise. With three straight losses and confidence low, the two-week pause provides breathing space for both players and staff.

Slot will have limited time with his full squad, as many of his stars — including Isak, Salah, and Alisson — will be away on international duty. But for those who remain, it’s a golden opportunity to regroup, reflect, and refocus. Behind closed doors at Kirkby, attention will turn to tightening defensive discipline and rediscovering the fast, vertical football that defined Liverpool at their best.

When domestic action resumes, Liverpool will face a demanding stretch of fixtures, including league clashes with Aston Villa and Tottenham, plus a Europa League showdown that could shape their European ambitions.

Fans Still Backing the Project

Despite the recent slump, there remains a sense among fans that this is part of a natural transitional period. Arne Slot’s tactical vision is ambitious, but such systems take time to perfect — especially at a club like Liverpool, where expectations are sky-high.

Isak’s comments reflect the prevailing mood in the dressing room: frustration, yes, but also belief. There’s an acknowledgment that the performances haven’t been good enough, but also confidence that the foundation is there for improvement.

Social media was full of supportive messages after the Chelsea loss, with many urging patience. “We’ve been here before,” one fan posted on X (formerly Twitter). “The lads just need time. The belief is still there.”

Looking Ahead: Time to Prove It

When the Premier League resumes later this month, Liverpool’s response will be under the microscope. A run of three straight defeats can spiral quickly if not addressed, but a strong rebound could just as easily restore momentum.

Slot’s men will need to rediscover their defensive steel and ruthlessness in front of goal. Players like Isak, Gakpo, and Salah will be central to that resurgence, while midfield anchors like Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai must reassert control.

The ingredients are all there — a talented squad, a progressive coach, and a fanbase that never stops believing. What’s missing right now is execution in the big moments.

Conclusion: Belief Alone Isn’t Enough — But It’s a Start

Alexander Isak’s words — “The belief is there” — might sound simple, but in football, belief is often the spark that reignites a struggling team. Liverpool’s recent run has been painful, their performances patchy, and their confidence shaken. Yet within the dressing room, there remains a quiet conviction that this is just a rough patch, not a crisis.

As the international break begins, Arne Slot and his players will take stock, reset, and prepare to prove that belief right. Because for all their recent stumbles, this Liverpool side still has the quality, the spirit, and the history to fight their way back.

And if there’s one thing Anfield has always thrived on — it’s belief.