The image of Mohamed Salah walking off the Anfield pitch, head bowed and shoulders slumped, summed up Liverpool’s growing woes. Once the symbol of their brilliance, “The Egyptian King” looked like a man out of answers as his side slipped to a 2–1 defeat against Manchester United — their fourth consecutive loss.
Harry Maguire’s 84th-minute header sealed United’s first victory at Anfield in over ten years, extending Liverpool’s miserable run under head coach Arne Slot. What was once dismissed as a minor dip has now evolved into a serious concern for the reigning champions.
“If you lose four times in a row, you need to be concerned,” Slot admitted to Match of the Day. “We know how football works. If we keep playing like this, we’ll win games again, but losing four straight definitely affects the team.”
The defeat leaves Liverpool facing an unwanted record. If they lose again — this time to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League on Wednesday — it would mark their worst run since 1953.
A Team Out of Ideas
Against United, Liverpool appeared short of inspiration, with fans growing audibly frustrated by the slow build-up and lack of creativity. Cody Gakpo came closest to turning things around, hitting the post three times before finally equalising in the 78th minute. But moments later, Maguire’s header restored United’s lead, and Salah’s substitution soon after symbolised the chaos.
Salah, who once carried Liverpool’s attack almost single-handedly, has now gone seven games without a non-penalty goal. His sharpness and confidence seem to have deserted him — a worrying sign for a player who once thrived in pressure moments.
Cracks in the Champions’ Armour
This Liverpool side bears little resemblance to the ruthless team that stormed to the Premier League title last season. Defensive confusion, wasteful finishing, and poor organisation have become common themes.
Despite a staggering £450 million spent in the summer — including record-breaking signings Florian Wirtz (£116m) and Alexander Isak (£125m) — neither player has justified their price tag. Isak, chosen ahead of the energetic Hugo Ekitike, was again ineffective. Wirtz started on the bench and made little impact when introduced.
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock believes tactical changes are needed. “Szoboszlai looks more effective moving into midfield from right-back, even if it’s not his preferred role,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live. “Frimpong had more influence in ten minutes than Salah did all game, and Ekitike offered more than Isak when he came on.”
Defensive Disarray and Costly Mistakes
Liverpool’s defensive structure has also crumbled. Milos Kerkez endured another poor display, nearly scoring an own goal after deflecting a clearance off his face. Questions were also raised about referee Michael Oliver’s decision to allow play to continue when Alexis Mac Allister lay injured before Bryan Mbeumo capitalised to score.
The statistics tell the story: Liverpool have already conceded five goals from set pieces in just eight league matches — after conceding none in the same stretch last season. They have also looked alarmingly vulnerable to quick counterattacks and balls played in behind.
Searching for Stability
Liverpool now sit fourth in the Premier League, four points behind leaders Arsenal. While they still possess immense quality, Slot faces the urgent task of reigniting the spark that once made this team formidable.
Captain Virgil van Dijk struck a note of resilience after the game. “It’s an important time for us to stick together,” he said. “We need to stay humble, keep working hard, and be there for each other. The season is long — we’ll fight our way back.”
But unless Liverpool rediscover their identity soon, this could become more than just a rough patch, it could be the unraveling of a champion.
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