From champions to chaos: inside Liverpool’s shocking Premier League slump

Maybe the pundits were right, Pep — maybe Liverpool really is finished. However much the Reds hoped their resounding win over Frankfurt in the Champions League (1–5) would turn things around, the Premier League titleholders’ situation back home remains dire. The last thing Arne Slot’s side needed, after three consecutive league losses, was a trip to the dentist’s chair at the Gtech Community Stadium. But Brentford’s Keith Andrews pulled every last tooth from Liverpool in another 90 minutes to forget for Mohamed Salah, Florian Wirtz and company. That makes four defeats in a row — and this time, the crisis is very real.

With Isak out, Ekitiké invisible, Konaté under fire again, Van Dijk conceding a penalty and Salah and Wirtz combining for 30 lost possessions, Liverpool completely fell apart in west London. They now sit four points behind Arsenal, who still have their match in hand, and they’ve even dropped out of the European places — down to sixth. No matter that Wirtz finally shone in Frankfurt, or that Salah ended his scoring drought against Brentford — the problems for Arne Slot’s team are as alive as ever. And Real Madrid visit Anfield in ten days.

Liverpool’s defense woeful

They conceded in the 9th minute to Crystal Palace, in the 14th to Chelsea, in the 5th to Manchester United… and in the 5th again to Brentford. Beyond all that can be said about Salah, Isak, Wirtz and company up front, the Reds’ defense has been woeful to start the season. With the Swede missing through a groin problem Arne Slot mentioned before the match, Ekitiké, Salah, Wirtz and Gakpo were chosen to lead the line — but it didn’t work either.

The Premier League’s best long throw-in taker brought the reigning champions back down to the harsh reality of domestic competition. Michael Kayode launched one into the box, and Dango Ouattara fired Brentford into life at the Gtech Community Stadium. It wouldn’t be the last. Though Wirtz came close to equalizing, there was no Liverpool response after the opener — only more pressure from the Bees. Keith Andrews’s men pinned the Reds in their own area and bombarded them with chances. The 2–0 was coming, and it came.

Mamardashvili denied Damsgaard what would have been one of the goals of the week — a thunderous strike from outside the box. But the Georgian could have done more in the one-on-one where Kevin Schade doubled Brentford’s lead. The through ball from the Danish midfielder was perfect, slicing through Liverpool’s press and exposing Konaté yet again. Luckily for Slot’s side, it wasn’t over yet. Kerkez made it 2–1 in the 49th minute — his first goal for Liverpool, hotly protested by the Gtech crowd since it came after added time — and it gave the Reds a glimmer of hope heading into the second half.

Bees hanging on, Reds in agony

Even though the second half was delayed when referee Simon Hooper went down injured — fourth official Tim Robinson had to take over — Liverpool couldn’t delay the inevitable much longer. Mamardashvili kept them alive for a while with two superb saves, but this Liverpool side is, for now, a wreck. What looked like a Van Dijk foul on the edge of the box turned into a penalty after VAR showed Ouattara’s foot had been clipped on the line. The new referee pointed to the spot. Igor Thiago stepped up, Igor Thiago scored. Only Erling Haaland, with 11, has more goals than his six. 60 minutes in, and it was 3–1 on the board.

Arne Slot — serenaded by the home fans with “You’re getting sacked in the morning” — threw everything forward: Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Salah, Chiesa, Ekitiké, and Rio Ngumoha all on the pitch together. It was FIFA-style ultra-offensive chaos, and it gave the Reds one last breath of hope. Salah broke his six-game drought with a rocket into the top corner in the 88th minute — a fine way to end it, at least.

Stoppage time felt endless for the Gtech. With all eleven players defending their box, and after the referee ignored Van Dijk’s elbow on Igor Thiago, Brentford scrambled clear any way they could. Even Mamardashvili went up for a corner. But it was no use. After more than 100 minutes, Tim Robinson blew for full time. The three points stayed in west London. The reigning Premier League champions are still in freefall.