Liverpool’s Late Goal Luck Runs Out After Triple Blow

From Last-Gasp Winners to Woes – Liverpool’s Late Goal Crisis

Arne Slot’s Liverpool have gone from kings of late drama to victims of their own risky script.

The reigning Premier League champions, who were snatching wins in the dying moments just weeks ago, have now suffered three consecutive defeats, including two heartbreaking stoppage-time blows.

Stoppage-Time Heartbreak x2

Liverpool’s undoing came with:

• 97th-minute goal from Eddie Nketiah in a 2-1 loss at Crystal Palace

• 95th-minute winner from Estevao Willian in a 2-1 loss to Chelsea

• And sandwiched between, a Champions League defeat to Galatasaray in Istanbul

It marks the worst week in Arne Slot’s managerial career, as his team’s high-wire reliance on late magic has backfired spectacularly.

Liverpool’s Late Goals: High Risk, Low Sustainability

A staggering 10 goals have been scored after the 80th minute in Liverpool’s 11 matches this season — most of them decisive.

Late Winners:

• Bournemouth (88’ Chiesa, 90+4’ Salah)

• Newcastle (90+10’ Ngumoha)

• Arsenal (83’ Szoboszlai)

• Burnley (90+3’ Salah pen)

• Atletico Madrid (90+2’ Van Dijk)

• Southampton (85’ Ekitike)

Late Defeats:

• Crystal Palace (87’ Chiesa, 90+7’ Nketiah)

• Chelsea (90+5’ Estevao Willian)

While these dramatic finishes once disguised the team’s unbalanced form, recent results have pulled back the curtain.

£450M Rebuild Exposing Defensive Frailty

Slot’s £450m refresh – featuring:

• £116m Florian Wirtz

• £125m Alexander Isak

• £70m Hugo Ekitike

• Full-backs Frimpong and Kerkez

…has created more attacking flair, but left the side exposed, especially on transitions.

Slot briefly reverted to last season’s trio of Gravenberch–Szoboszlai–Mac Allister at Chelsea, and even shifted Szoboszlai to right-back after half-time. While it brought some control, Liverpool still lacked rhythm.

Salah, Isak, Wirtz Under Scrutiny

Mohamed Salah has been off-colour, missing clear chances and misplacing passes.

Isak looks far from fit and fluffed key moments.

Wirtz, dazzling in flashes, remains peripheral in decisive phases.

Together, this trio cost £241m – and expectations are rising fast.

Slot: “Fine Margins Not in Our Favour”

Despite the losing streak, Slot remained defiant post-Chelsea:

“We created more chances than Palace and Chelsea, but we scored once and they scored twice. The margins haven’t been in our favour.”

Yet Wayne Rooney had a harsher take:

“Chelsea just wanted it more. That wasn’t the Liverpool we’re used to seeing.”

Pat Nevin added:

“Everyone wants to beat the champions. Liverpool have a target on their back now.”

Time to Reset?

The international break may be a blessing in disguise, giving Liverpool time to reflect and recalibrate.

But the pressure is rising:

• Defensive instability

• Lack of attacking sharpness

• Tactical imbalance in key areas

Slot’s challenge is now to restore control, confidence, and composure – before the season spirals further.