Liverpool 1 – 4 PSV

Liverpool crumbled to a different stunning defeat as they have been sensationally crushed 4-1 by PSV at Anfield.

A trio of second-half objectives – two of them scored by Couhaib Driouech – left Arne Slot’s out-of-form facet shocked as they capitulated to one more three-goal defeat.

Coming off the again of consecutive 3-0 defeats, the end result will amplify the noise surrounding Slot’s Liverpool. They’re within the backside half of the Premier League desk and now have work to do in Europe. Their astonishing slide exhibits no indicators of stopping.

There was an alarming begin, a seventh objective conceded with out reply, when Ivan Perisic scored from the penalty spot. Virgil van Dijk’s vocal complaints about that early handball name going in opposition to him appeared unwarranted given the positioning of his arm.

Dominik Szoboszlai, taking part in in midfield with Curtis Jones at right-back, did slot in a quickfire equaliser after Cody Gakpo’s shot was parried into his path and Van Dijk got here shut to creating amends with a header in opposition to the crossbar as Liverpool regrouped.

However Slot’s facet have been undone by their very own defensive errors within the second half, the Eredivisie leaders punishing them in model. Guus Til nipped in forward of Milos Kerkez to revive PSV’s lead and Ibrahima Konate’s error allowed them to double the benefit.

Driouech put the ball into the web after Ricardo Pepi’s effort got here again off the put up and he then added a second to make it 4 in all as supporters streamed out. The defeat makes it 9 in 12 matches now, their worst run in over 70 years. Liverpool are in disarray.

Slot: I really feel help from above

Slot was requested afterwards whether or not he nonetheless feels the help from above him on the membership following this newest large defeat.

Talking within the press convention, he mentioned: “I’ve been feeling protected. I’ve a number of help from above. It will be good if I might flip it round and produce a victory. However [the noise] is a component and parcel of being a coach in case you are not doing effectively.”

Requested for extra element about any reassurances that he’s being given by sporting director Richard Hughes and others, Slot added: “Not within the sense that they inform me each single minute that they help me, they help me, they help me.

“They’re useful to me, to the group. We do have these conversations. They do not name me each second to say they nonetheless belief me. Once we do have these conversations, I really feel the belief. I have not spoken to them after this sport but; we’ll see.”

Evaluation: The place is it going incorrect?

Van Dijk’s type is a fear

Virgil van Dijk determined to deal with Wayne Rooney’s criticism from a place of energy after a clear sheet and victory over Actual Madrid however three consecutive three-goal defeats have put his type firmly again within the highlight and he was culpable as soon as extra.

The issue for Van Dijk is that he’s a pure chief. He embraces that duty and feels snug directing his teammates across the pitch, providing phrases of encouragement and the odd rebuke. That every one appears completely different when his personal type dips.

The handball for the penalty got here after he had busied himself complaining to the referee concerning the award of a nook – complaints that continued upon the award of the spot-kick. He was booked quickly after for lunging in, his deal with arriving far too late.

A lot of the scrutiny has been on Mohamed Salah’s decline however the actuality is that each of Liverpool’s bankers – the totems of this group for a few years – have been effectively under their greatest. The problem for Van Dijk is to take care of the facet’s struggles – and his personal.

Konate nonetheless struggling badly

Van Dijk’s fellow centre-back Ibrahima Konate is hardly serving to his defensive accomplice. His failure to take care of a easy ball forwards allowed PSV to get in behind within the build-up to the third objective, simply the most recent pricey mistake by a participant who’s struggling badly.

Had Liverpool been in a position to get the deal for Marc Guehi executed in the summertime switch window, Konate could be out of the group already. Slot appears to have little religion in Joe Gomez, whereas Giovanni Leoni is out for the season. However this downside wants sorting.

Konate’s poor type is greater than a blip; it’s undermining them frequently. Is it confidence or simply being too informal? Regardless of the challenge, Slot can not depend on a participant who must be in his prime and with little time between video games it’s robust to right.

Issues develop over Kerkez

The left-back has made a sluggish begin to his Liverpool profession, dropping his place to Andrew Robertson earlier than the worldwide break. The Scotland worldwide’s exertions for his nation introduced one other alternative however Kerkez has did not seize it.

He was troubled from the outset by Sergino Dest and Guus Til. Maybe most worryingly, he might be seen remonstrating with Van Dijk not lengthy earlier than being caught out for PSV’s second objective. His personal teammates rotated in horror to see he had been crushed.

The continued help of the Anfield crowd is crucial if the previous Bournemouth participant is to flourish in Liverpool purple however the true concern is that Kerkez nonetheless has a number of work to do to persuade his colleagues that he’s lower out to succeed at this soccer membership.

Salah is defensive legal responsibility

There will likely be extra sympathy for Curtis Jones within the different full-back place even when he did give the ball away inexplicably inside his personal space within the second half. Slot is making do at right-back whereas Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong are each unavailable.

However whoever operates at right-back will discover themselves focused and remoted whereas it’s Salah taking part in in entrance of them. The winger does little or no defensive work, one thing that was seen as a stylistic success when he was delivering in entrance of objective.

Now his output has dipped, it is a chance for each opponent. For the second PSV objective, Mauro Junior was allowed to wander previous Salah with out a lot as a problem, constructing the transfer from which the Dutch facet restored their lead and turned the sport.

Isak nonetheless less than velocity

Alexander Isak got here off the bench for the ultimate half an hour however couldn’t change the move of the sport. The costly acquisition from Newcastle has made 10 appearances for Liverpool and his solely objective has come in opposition to Southampton within the Carabao Cup.

Isak did fireplace off one snap-shot on the angle however the sharpness is missing and he can not but be trusted to offer the kind of urgent that Slot desires to see of his striker. The Liverpool boss highlighted that as a difficulty after Hugo Ekitike had a again spasm.

When discussing the second-half dip, Slot mentioned: “That had a bit to do with Hugo Ekitike, who straight after half-time felt his again. That’s the reason the press was not aggressive sufficient. If the press is just not aggressive sufficient, they’ve gamers who can outplay you.”

Isak continues to be ready for his large second in entrance of objective to ignite his Liverpool profession. However the motive why Ekitike has grow to be a fan favorite so shortly isn’t just right down to him discovering the web, it’s the power he brings. For now, that’s nonetheless missing from Isak’s sport.