Liverpool's catastrophic run of form plummeted to a new low on Saturday as they were soundly beaten 3-0 by Nottingham Forest at Anfield, a result that leaves manager Arne Slot facing a monumental task to revive the reigning champions.
A Defensive Nightmare Laid Bare
The defeat marks an astonishing six losses in Liverpool's last seven Premier League fixtures, a statistic that has sent shockwaves through the club's support. The performance was a carbon copy of the 3-0 loss to Manchester City before the international break, highlighting a deep-seated and persistent problem.
Club legend John Aldridge did not mince his words in his assessment, taking to social media platform X to label the team's defensive record as "absolutely minging." The former striker pointed out that the Reds have now conceded 20 league goals this season, a figure that tells the story of their struggles.
Van Dijk Admits to Serious Problems
The gravity of the situation was acknowledged by captain Virgil van Dijk in his post-match comments. The Dutch defender confessed that the team's performance was subpar across the board.
"We concede too many easy goals," Van Dijk stated. "They scored obviously from a set piece again... We were not good in terms of battles, challenges, the fight. We tried to rush things and that's human when you're in a difficult moment. It's a very difficult situation at the moment."
His frank admission underscores the crisis of confidence currently gripping the squad. The nervousness was palpable at Anfield, with Aldridge noting that the number of fans leaving early was reminiscent of the famous 7-0 victory over Manchester United, but for all the wrong reasons.
Table Position and False Dawns
The immediate consequences of this dismal run are stark. Liverpool are currently languishing in 11th place in the Premier League table. Should Arsenal win their North London derby against Tottenham on Sunday, the gap between the Reds and the summit could stretch to a daunting 11 points.
Aldridge also lamented that the promising victories over Aston Villa and Real Madrid several weeks ago now appear to have been a "false dawn" for Slot's team. The brief flicker of hope has been extinguished by a return to defensive frailty and a lack of fight, leaving the club and its supporters in a state of profound concern about the direction of the season.
