Liverpool are now looking like Manchester United

It happened to Liverpool once before — Crystal Palace, at the start of the season in the Community Shield — and back then, absolutely no one was worried. It happened again a month ago, and this time, nobody at Anfield felt quite so calm. Still, few could have guessed what was coming. An unprecedented crisis has rolled into Anfield during Arne Slot’s short tenure. Crystal Palace was just the tip of the iceberg, followed by defeats to Chelsea, Manchester United, and then Brentford over the weekend. Four straight losses in the Premier League — plus a Champions League defeat to Galatasaray. A faint glimmer of hope came with the “five-goal show” in Frankfurt, but that turned out to be nothing more than an illusion.

Enemies swap - Brentford toppled Reds and pushed them behind Man United

Something in Liverpool will have to change — and change deeply. Arne Slot admitted that his team cannot cope with physical and direct football. And this, after spending 482.9 million euros over the June transfer window. If the poor results continue, scrutiny will follow — both in the boardroom and in the dressing room. The Reds have already become the main talking point across England, taking the “spotlight” from Manchester United, who have finally managed a slight turnaround.

“Losing four matches in a row, especially against a team like Brentford or someone fighting relegation — that’s a disaster. I see supposed champions losing, and look at how much was spent over the summer… I think we’re in a crisis. Serious questions will be asked of everyone — players, the coach, the staff” said former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, while Gary Neville added: “This Liverpool under Arne Slot reminds me a bit of my old Manchester United.”

At times, the Reds look like a worn-out team — one that has lost the will to live, let alone play football. And the coming days might bring even more trouble, as the next opponent is, once again, Crystal Palace — this time in the League Cup. Arne Slot could be without as many as six players at Selhurst Park. What’s known for certain is that Alisson Becker and Jeremie Frimpong will be out, as well as teenage midfielder Giovanni Leoni, who will miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery for a torn ACL. Ryan Gravenberch and Alexander Isak are also struggling with injuries, while during the match against Brentford, Curtis Jones reported discomfort and asked to be substituted.