Liverpool began the season looking unstoppable, opening with seven straight victories that positioned them as strong contenders for another Premier League title and a deep Champions League run. Yet in a dramatic turn of events, the club has now fallen into its worst form in more than seven decades, culminating in a crushing 4–1 home defeat to PSV at Anfield.

The numbers underline the crisis. Liverpool have now lost nine of their past 12 matches, a slump not seen since the 1953–54 campaign. They have also suffered three consecutive defeats by margins of three goals—a statistic the club last witnessed in December 1953. Even Anfield, typically one of football’s most intimidating venues, has seen the Reds concede seven goals in just five days.

“I don’t have the answers… I’m past being angry,” admitted midfielder Curtis Jones, reflecting the frustration felt throughout the squad and fanbase.

This stunning collapse has left supporters questioning whether manager Arne Slot, who delivered a record-equalling 20th league title in his debut season, is still the right leader to steer Liverpool out of this severe downturn.

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Is Arne Slot Still the Right Man for Liverpool?

The Dutch manager is under growing scrutiny. What once looked like a promising new era has now spiraled into ongoing uncertainty. Former Liverpool full-back Stephen Warnock described the team’s current state bluntly:

“It all feels very difficult… the defeats keep stacking up, and there seems to be a lack of fight.”

Liverpool’s early-season momentum was quickly derailed by a run of six losses in seven matches. Brief hope returned with wins against Aston Villa and Real Madrid, but those results proved to be short-lived. A 3–0 loss to Manchester City was expected to an extent—but another 3–0 defeat, this time at home to Nottingham Forest, set alarm bells ringing across Merseyside.

The humiliation deepened against PSV, marking only Liverpool’s second home loss in their past 26 Champions League pre-knockout fixtures. As a result, Slot faces an uphill battle to return his team to the top half of the Premier League while also trying to keep their Champions League league-phase hopes alive.

Warnock added that while sacking managers at the first sign of trouble is not Liverpool’s style, Slot’s summer signings have yet to justify their price tags.

• Alexander Isak, the record signing, has managed just one goal.
• Florian Wirtz is sidelined with injury.
• Milos Kerkez continues to struggle to adapt.

Even with clear issues on the pitch, Slot made only two substitutions against PSV, raising further questions about his tactical decisions.

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Bright Spots and Ongoing Struggles

One of the few positives for Liverpool has been Dominik Szoboszlai, restored to a central midfield role where he scored and offered much-needed energy. His performance has reignited debate around his proper positioning.

Despite Szoboszlai’s standout display, the team remains in a deep rut. Former captain Steven Gerrard summed it up:
“Confidence is at an all-time low… unless the manager finds answers and stability, this will continue.”

The PSV fixture was always going to pose a challenge—Slot has now won only one of his past eight matches against the Dutch side, a team that has historically caused him problems.

While Slot insists he is not focused on his job security, he acknowledges the scale of the issue: “I need to do better… that’s my focus every day.”

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What’s Next for Liverpool?

Liverpool had previously stood strong in the Champions League, winning three of four matches. But this damaging defeat leaves them outside the top eight, with tough fixtures looming against Inter Milan and Marseille.

Before that, they face a Premier League trip to West Ham—a match that, under current circumstances, carries significant weight.

Warnock believes the fundamentals need revisiting:
“Every player needs to go back to basics… morale is low and there are no easy games.”

Liverpool’s strong early results masked deeper problems. New signings struggled to settle, and several previously standout players have failed to deliver the same level of performance this year.

Another factor influencing the club emotionally was the tragic loss of Portugal forward Diogo Jota in July—a moment that shook the squad and staff.

Warnock highlighted the broader context:
“There’s a huge difference from last year in what’s happening around the club. It’s a very difficult situation because the issues aren’t straightforward.”

With fans desperate for a turnaround, the central questions remain:
Can Arne Slot stabilise the team? When will Liverpool rediscover their identity—and will it be in time to save their season?