Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has delivered his verdict on the team's alarming decline after witnessing their humiliating 4-1 defeat to PSV at Anfield on Wednesday night.
Worst Run in Seven Decades
The 45-year-old club icon, working as a pundit for TNT Sports, reflected on what represents Liverpool's worst run of form since 1953 - a staggering 72-year low for the historic club. When directly questioned whether Arne Slot's team faces a genuine crisis, Gerrard offered a measured but concerning assessment.
"Crisis is a very strong and disrespectful word for some of the players who have delivered for this football club, and for the coach who only arrived three months ago," Gerrard stated. "If it had been six months, a year, and we were further from that success, perhaps that word could be used. But you cannot deny the team is struggling massively, they're on a terrible run, confidence is at its lowest and they keep bleeding."
The former captain delivered a stark warning to Liverpool's management, adding: "Unless the decision-makers can find answers and stability in the team, this is going to continue."
Defensive Woes and Individual Criticism
Gerrard singled out summer signing Milos Kerkez for particular criticism after what he described as a "criminal" defensive performance from the £40 million acquisition. The Liverpool legend didn't hold back in his analysis of the defender's positioning throughout the match.
"No matter if it's Mo Salah or anyone, you cannot be beaten in a dribble in this situation," Gerrard explained. "For me, Kerkez is out of position for most of the match. It's criminal to be on that side of the attacker. He has to be inside. He doesn't give himself any chance."
Despite the team's overall struggles, Gerrard defended the decision to keep faith with Mohamed Salah, insisting the Egyptian forward remains essential to any potential recovery. "Whoever is leading Liverpool right now would choose Mo Salah," he asserted. "Liverpool needs all their good players on the pitch to try to find some stability."
Anfield Exodus and Managerial Pressure
The scale of Liverpool's collapse was visibly demonstrated by the emptying of Anfield long before the final whistle, with seats vacated just ten minutes from time after PSV's third goal effectively ended the contest. Gerrard highlighted the team's defensive vulnerability as a fundamental concern.
"They're conceding too many goals, they're very open in transition," he observed. "They look very vulnerable and unstable when they lose the ball."
The statistics paint a grim picture for Slot's side, who have now lost their last three matches by three-goal margins and suffered defeat in nine of their previous twelve outings. Manager Arne Slot faces mounting pressure after what he described as an emotionally negative and disappointing performance.
"The emotions are very negative and disappointing," Slot reflected post-match. "The way we conceded the 1-0. I want to be positive about the players' reaction when we were losing 1-0. We got back into the game and had chances to go 2-1 up. I don't think anyone thought we were going to lose 4-1."
He acknowledged the difficult reality facing his squad: "The only way is to move on now. We have to face where we are and fight very hard."
With Liverpool's problems deepening and pressure intensifying, Gerrard's analysis suggests the club faces a period of serious introspection as they attempt to halt their worst run in living memory.
