Steven Gerrard has described the defence that finished Liverpool's 4-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven as 'not a Liverpool back four', intensifying scrutiny on Arne Slot's side. Speaking on TNT Sport, the former Reds captain said the quartet of Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch, Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez 'never will be' a Liverpool back line.
Liverpool conceded three goals after Ibrahima Konate was substituted for Federico Chiesa in the second half, with PSV scoring a fourth in added time. It is the second consecutive match Konate has been withdrawn early, having been replaced ten minutes into the second half against Nottingham Forest, after which Liverpool also conceded.
The defeat marks the first time since September 1992 that Liverpool have conceded three or more goals in three consecutive matches across all competitions, having lost 3-0 to Manchester City before the international break. Gerrard said the team is 'wide open, vulnerable and unstable', calling for 'soul-searching' as pressure mounts.
Slot told TNT Sport: 'The emotion is all very negative and disappointing. I have to be positive about the reaction after going 1-0 down, because until half-time we played a very good game. After another disappointment, we came back.' He added: 'After half-time, we conceded quite early. We still had chances to go 2-2, but then with 10-15 minutes to go, we conceded another goal. It's hard to take.'
Liverpool face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-final second leg on April 14, having already secured their place in the last eight.
