Liverpool’s Crisis Deepens After United Defeat: Slot Faces Tough Questions

‘Liverpool Blip Becomes Crisis’ After United Loss

Liverpool’s downward spiral under manager Arne Slot hit a new low as they suffered a fourth consecutive defeat, falling 2-1 to Manchester United at Anfield — their worst run since 2014. What was once dismissed as a “blip” is now looking like a full-blown identity crisis for last season’s Premier League champions.

And nothing summed it up more than the substitution of Mohamed Salah, the club’s long-standing talisman, with Liverpool still chasing a late equaliser.

“If you lose four times in a row, you need to be concerned,” Slot admitted. “It definitely does something with the team.”

Salah Subbed, Confidence Missing

Once hailed as “The Egyptian King,” Salah’s form has nose-dived, with no non-penalty goals in his last seven appearances. Against United, he looked off the pace, slicing a golden opportunity wide before being replaced by Jeremie Frimpong shortly after Harry Maguire’s 84th-minute winner.

Even more telling, Frimpong made a more immediate attacking impact in 10 minutes than Salah managed all game — raising questions about whether age (33) and fatigue are finally catching up with Liverpool’s legend.

Big Money, Small Returns

Slot was backed heavily in the summer with £450m in signings, but so far the returns have been underwhelming:

• Alexander Isak (£125m): anonymous again vs United

• Florian Wirtz (£116m): used only as a substitute

• Hugo Ekitike: lively off the bench, but still on the fringes

None of the club’s three most expensive signings this season have delivered consistent end product, and frustration is growing over selection choices and lack of immediate impact.

A Shadow of Last Season

Alexander Isak is yet to show his best form since making the British record £125m move to Liverpool from Newcastle United.

Liverpool no longer resemble the calculated, high-pressing machine that stormed to the title just months ago. Now they look disjointed, chaotic and increasingly vulnerable defensively.

• Set-piece woes: 5 goals conceded from set pieces in 8 games (0 last year at same stage)

• Open-play disarray: Kerkez almost scored an own goal, while counter-attacks and balls in behind regularly expose the defence

• Keeper confusion: With Alisson out, backup Mamardashvili was again left exposed, conceding after a potential head injury moment involving Mac Allister was ignored by referee Michael Oliver

Falling Behind the Leaders

With the defeat, Liverpool drop to 4th, four points adrift of Arsenal, and just two points above 6th-placed Tottenham. A loss to Eintracht Frankfurt midweek in the Champions League would mean five straight defeats — a record not seen since 1953.

Post-Match Reactions

Virgil van Dijk:

“It’s an interesting time. We have to stick together… When things get tough, we must keep the mentality to fight.”

Stephen Warnock (BBC):

“Ekitike did more off the bench than Isak did starting. Frimpong was more influential in 10 minutes than Salah was in 80.”

Slot:

“We can’t dwell on this. But things must change fast.”

What’s Next?

Slot must now:

• Fix the right flank: Does Frimpong earn a start? Is Szoboszlai better as an inverted right-back?

• Rebuild Salah’s confidence

• Demand more from record signings

• Restore defensive structure

The season is long, but the rot is setting in quickly. Wednesday’s Champions League clash could either ignite a revival — or trigger a full-blown crisis.