Liverpool's grip on a Champions League place loosened after a 2-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, their tenth Premier League loss of the season. The result leaves Arne Slot's side fifth in the table, six points behind third-placed Manchester United.
Danny Welbeck scored both goals for Brighton, with Milos Kerkez netting Liverpool's consolation. The Reds played over 90 minutes without striker Hugo Ekitike, who was forced off early with an injury.
With Chelsea and Aston Villa yet to play this weekend, Liverpool could drop to sixth. The Blues face Everton on Saturday evening, while Villa take on West Ham on Sunday.
After the international break, Liverpool face a daunting run of fixtures. They travel to Manchester City in the FA Cup and Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, both away from home. The first Merseyside derby at the Hill Dickinson Stadium is also less than a month away.
The Reds are now winless in three games and will need to improve to maintain their top-four challenge.
