The storm around Liverpool is getting louder — and more brutal.
After a shocking 3-2 defeat to Brentford on Saturday night, the reigning Premier League champions are now facing a crisis that few could have predicted just weeks ago.
Liverpool, who once looked unstoppable under new boss Arne Slot, have now slumped to sixth place in the league table after four consecutive defeats. The team that was supposed to defend its crown now looks lost — uninspired, sluggish, and haunted by the ghosts of their own mistakes.
Liverpool’s Nightmare at Brentford
The warning signs were there early on. Brentford came out with fire and intensity, while Liverpool’s defense looked flat-footed and vulnerable. It took just minutes for Dango Ouattara to break the deadlock, and before long, Kevin Schade doubled the Bees’ lead — sending the Gtech Community Stadium into chaos and leaving Liverpool fans speechless.
Just before halftime, young full-back Milos Kerkez pulled one back, offering a flicker of hope. But even that couldn’t mask the deeper issues in Arne Slot’s system — issues that Brentford ruthlessly exposed again after the break.
When Igor Thiago stepped up to convert a penalty in the 60th minute, restoring Brentford’s two-goal cushion, the writing was on the wall. Even a brilliant strike from Mohamed Salah, ending his six-game goal drought, wasn’t enough to rescue the Reds. The Egyptian’s third league goal of the season served only as a reminder of what used to be — not what currently is.
Brentford held firm to seal a famous 3-2 victory, while Liverpool’s players walked off the pitch looking lost, deflated, and confused.
Mo Salah: The Scapegoat or the Struggler?
For Mohamed Salah, this season has been nothing short of frustrating. The once-feared winger has looked out of rhythm, missing chances that he would have buried effortlessly in past campaigns.
Even though Salah finally found the back of the net, his overall display drew criticism from pundits and fans alike. Gary Neville and others have questioned his hunger, while online chatter has turned increasingly sour.
However, respected journalist Melissa Reddy came to Salah’s defense, blasting what she called “unwarranted disrespect” toward both Salah and manager Arne Slot.
In a passionate post on X (formerly Twitter), Reddy wrote:
“It’s beyond bad right now, but there is an unwarranted level of disrespect — aimed at Mo Salah and Arne Slot in particular — plus a rash writing off of signings already.”
Her words struck a chord with many Liverpool supporters who feel that the criticism has gone too far, too fast. After all, Salah has carried this club for years, breaking records and defining an era. But right now, he looks like a player searching for rhythm in a team that’s struggling to find its identity.
Slot Mocked as Brentford Twist the Knife
The defeat wasn’t just painful — it was humiliating.
Arne Slot, who replaced the legendary Jurgen Klopp with the promise of high-intensity football and attacking fluidity, is now being openly mocked. After Liverpool’s earlier loss to Manchester United, Slot had accused United of playing “long balls” and parking the bus.
Brentford’s official account wasted no time firing back after their 3-2 triumph — posting a cheeky social media message that referenced Slot’s earlier complaints. It was a digital jab that summed up how the football world now views Liverpool’s new boss: under pressure, out of answers, and clinging to excuses.
Slot’s post-match comments didn’t help. “If you play United — who come here with a low block and long balls — it’s not easy,” he said. “And when you concede early, it becomes even harder.”
But critics argue that Slot is repeating Klopp’s worst habits — focusing on external factors instead of addressing the real problem: Liverpool’s slow starts and defensive chaos.
The Same Story, Every Game
The biggest issue? Liverpool’s sluggish openings.
Time and again, they’ve allowed opponents to take early control. It happened against Crystal Palace when Ismaila Sarr scored within the first 10 minutes. It happened again versus Manchester United. And now, against Brentford, history repeated itself.
It’s a pattern that speaks to deeper tactical and psychological issues. The Reds no longer start games with the fire and focus that once defined them. Their midfield looks disjointed, their defense vulnerable, and their attack — once their deadliest weapon — has lost its bite.
Fans who once dreamed of another title are now asking tougher questions. Did the club move on from Klopp too soon? Is Slot really the man to lead this next era? Or are Liverpool simply a team in transition, paying the price for years of overachievement?
The Pressure on Arne Slot Is Building
Behind the scenes, the tension is rising. Sources close to the club suggest that Liverpool’s board is watching closely — not panicking yet, but demanding improvement soon.
Slot has the backing of his players, but patience is wearing thin among supporters. Losing four Premier League games in a row is unacceptable for a club of Liverpool’s stature — especially given their resources and recent dominance.
Some fans have already begun to turn on the Dutchman, claiming he lacks the tactical versatility needed in England. Others argue he simply needs time — and that rebuilding after the Klopp era was always going to be messy.
Whatever the case, Slot now faces the biggest test of his young Liverpool career. Upcoming matches will be crucial. Another defeat, and the calls for change could grow deafening.
The Road Ahead
Liverpool’s next fixtures could define their season — and Arne Slot’s reputation. The squad still has enough talent to recover, but they’ll need unity, intensity, and belief to do it.
As one fan wrote after the Brentford loss:
“This isn’t about one bad game. It’s about a team that’s forgotten who they are.”
The coming weeks will reveal whether Slot can remind them — or whether this Liverpool story is about to take another painful twist.
