Liverpool in Crisis: Inside the Reds’ 9-Defeat Meltdown as Stars Go Missing and Arne Slot Faces Fury

Liverpool’s season hit new depths this week after that grim 4-1 hammering by PSV, a result that leaves Arne Slot clinging onto his job and the Reds stuck in a savage run of nine defeats from 12. Curtis Jones summed up the mood brutally, admitting Liverpool are “in the sh*t”, and it’s hard to argue as last year’s champions suddenly look like a side completely out of gas.

The sombre cloud over Anfield has only darkened after the tragic death of Diogo Jota, a loss that shook the dressing room to its core. Andy Robertson has spoken openly about the emotional toll it’s taken, even while celebrating Scotland’s World Cup qualification. But grief alone doesn’t explain the collapse. Slot’s system looks like it’s falling apart at every seam, players are off the pace, and the manager just hasn’t found an answer in any area of the pitch.

It’s not all on the boss, though. Former defender Jamie Carragher has already called out the lack of leadership out there, and even captain Virgil van Dijk admits standards has nosedived. The Dutchman, who once looked the calmest man in world football, suddenly can’t stop giving penalties away. That handball against PSV was his third of the season, the most of any Premier League player. He’s still fighting, but right now he looks like a shadow of the colossus who dragged Liverpool to the title.

Further up the pitch, big-money signing Florian Wirtz has struggled to make the leap. Three goal involvements in 16 games isn’t what £100 million is supposed to buy you, even if he did shine in early Champions League ties. Liverpool badly miss his creativity whenever he’s out, but when he is fit, he often looks a lad still trying to catch up with the Premier League’s pace. Slot needs him firing again, and fast.

Jeremie Frimpong, brought in to fill the impossible void left by Trent Alexander-Arnold, hasn’t got going either. Injuries hasn’t helped, but even when fit he’s looked more like a wing-back than a proper right-back, with just one flukey goal and no assists to show for a stuttering start. Alexis Mac Allister, usually Mr Reliable, is also miles below his best after a messy pre-season. You can see flashes of the old Macca, but right now Liverpool can’t afford part-time performances from one of their best midfielders.

Ryan Gravenberch is another major concern. Brilliant in August, lost by October. His sharpness on the ball has vanished, he’s giving it away under pressure, and the midfield suddenly looks flimsy without him snapping into duels. Cody Gakpo, meanwhile, was supposed to soften Luis Diaz’s exit — but with Diaz flying at Bayern Munich, that sale now looks worse every week. Gakpo’s chipped in a few goals but the lack of spark is glaring.

At the back, Milos Kerkez has looked overwhelmed as Robertson’s successor, while Mohamed Salah is enduring one of the quietest spells of his Liverpool career. Four league goals in 12 isn’t a disaster, but it’s nowhere near what Liverpool need from their main man in a crisis. With AFCON looming, Salah leaving doesn’t even feel like the blow it once was — and that says everything about where things are.

Up top, Alexander Isak has maybe been the biggest disappointment of the lot. Liverpool fought hard to get him from Newcastle, only to end up with a striker who barely looks involved in games. One goal in the Carabao Cup is a pitiful return. He wasn’t fit, hasn’t found rhythm, and with Hugo Ekitike injured, he’s got no hiding place.

But the biggest let-down? Ibrahima Konaté. A walking calamity this season. Liverpool’s failure to land Marc Guehi looks like the moment their title defence died. With Leoni injured and Gomez unreliable physically, Slot has had no choice but to keep playing a centre-back who’s leaking mistakes weekly. Real Madrid have already pulled away from trying to sign him. Liverpool might be wise to do the same.

The sad truth is the Reds has dug themselves into a hole, and the league table now reflects a side spiralling instead of defending their crown. If they can’t steady things before the New Year — with AFCON, fixture congestion and pressure rising — this could go down as one of the worst collapses from a reigning champion in modern Premier League history. Next up? A run of fixtures that will either save Slot… or finish him.