Slot under strain as Liverpool suffer 4-1 home defeat to PSV | OneFootball

Liverpool search for answers after bruising PSV setback

Liverpool’s Champions League hopes took another heavy blow as PSV Eindhoven left Anfield with a 4-1 victory that underlined the scale of the challenge in front of Arne Slot. What was supposed to be a night to reset the momentum instead exposed familiar issues, with Liverpool unable to match PSV’s sharpness, physical edge and ruthlessness inside the penalty area.

The manager backed a recognisable starting lineup, keeping Dominik Szoboszlai at right back and restoring Curtis Jones to central midfield. Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo formed the front line, a trio expected to provide the spark that has been missing in recent weeks. The ambition was clear, but it never materialised.

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Setbacks that shaped the contest

PSV seized control early on through Ivan Perisic, and Liverpool’s response was brief rather than sustained. Szoboszlai did pull the Reds level with a close-range finish after Gakpo’s effort was parried, but Guus Til quickly restored PSV’s advantage before Couhaib Driouech delivered two ruthless second half strikes that silenced Anfield.

Slot now faces uncomfortable scrutiny. Nine losses in twelve games across all competitions has turned what began as a measured wobble into a full-blown crisis. Yet responsibility lies not only in the dugout. Several senior figures failed to impose themselves on the occasion.

Salah, often the man to lift Liverpool when the pressure rises, endured another frustrating night. As the article noted, “The Egyptian managed just one shot throughout the game,” a stark statistic that reflects the wider concern. He has gone three matches without a goal contribution, with just two goals in his last ten appearances. His influence remains significant, but his output has dipped at a moment when Liverpool need him most.

Gakpo’s evening was not much brighter. Although he registered an assist for the equaliser, the numbers painted a worrying picture. He “lost possession 21 times,” completed only three of nine crosses and missed a big chance, according to Sofascore. Confidence looks fragile, and the Anfield crowd did not hide its frustration.

Defensive issues highlighted again

The defensive pairing of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate has long been the backbone of Liverpool’s structure, but both endured a night to forget. Konate’s error for PSV’s third was costly, yet it was Van Dijk’s performance that raised the greatest alarm. The captain conceded a penalty “for the third time this season with an inexcusable handball,” an incident some fans compared to a basketball move. His general play lacked assurance, prompting genuine debate about Joe Gomez’s omission.

Liverpool’s back line feels exposed, the midfield lacks rhythm and the forward line is short of conviction. It is a combination that has drained confidence from the team and the stands.

Growing pressure from supporters

Fan sentiment has turned sharply. One supporter said he was “sick and tired of watching Salah and Gakpo” and labelled their showing “awful,” while another claimed Liverpool were “effectively playing with nine men.” Calls for both to be benched have grown louder, with Federico Chiesa, Rio Ngumoha and Florian Wirtz all waiting for an opportunity.

Van Dijk and Salah are generally seen as undroppable due to their stature and influence, but Slot’s situation is becoming more precarious. If he is to steady Liverpool’s campaign, decisive selections may be unavoidable. The club won the Premier League last season but that achievement feels distant in the current turbulence.

Liverpool and PSV will continue to dominate the discussion in the coming days, particularly as attention turns to how Slot responds. Liverpool require clarity, bravery and a reset in both attitude and execution. The coming fixtures will reveal whether this was the nadir or simply another warning sign in a season losing shape at worrying speed.