Liverpool: Champions League humiliation puts pressure on Arne Slott as Reds need a solution to their struggles

Liverpool’s brilliant start was followed by a series of defeats in seven matches that sparked concern and talk of a crisis.

Things started to look up earlier in November, with wins over Aston Villa and Real Madrid lifting morale and giving hope of a return to form.

But they ultimately proved that they did not offer a permanent change in their fortunes, but rather a temporary respite.

The 3-0 defeat to Manchester City just before the international break was tough, but it can happen against Pep Guardiola’s side.

But a setback by the same scoreline against Sean Dyche’s Nottingham Forest left them 12th in the Premier League, and this has now been followed by this embarrassing loss to PSV Eindhoven – only their second at Anfield in their last 26 pre-knockout matches in this competition.

Slot has been left with a huge task to get his team back into the top half of the Premier League and remain in the hunt for eighth place in the Champions League stage, after falling to 13th.

Warnock added: “I don’t think there should be a knee-jerk reaction. I think this is a very difficult moment at Liverpool for one reason or another, but the only thing I would say is that things weren’t good at the beginning of the season either, when they were winning.”

Firing managers at the first sign of trouble is not a tactic Liverpool employ frequently. Let’s also not forget that last year Slott oversaw the best start ever – eight wins in his first 10 league games – by a Reds boss, having just replaced Jurgen Klopp.

But his summer signings did not work out, putting him under pressure.

Record move Alexander Isak is still not out of the woods, German playmaker Florian Wirtz is currently out injured, and left-back Milos Kerkez continues to struggle.

However, on Wednesday, Slott only made two substitutions with his team trailing. One was Isaac for new teammate Hugo Ekitike, who appeared to have picked up an injury, while the other was Italian striker Federico Chiesa for Ibrahima Konate during another difficult evening for the French defender.

“This race is a shock to everyone,” Slott admitted.

“For the players, for me. I don’t get shocked easily and this is very unexpected. We can all do better individually, but that applies to everyone, including me.”

Perhaps the brightest spark was Dominik Szoboszlai.

Reclaiming his central midfield role against PSV Eindhoven, he not only provided a goal, but energy and attacking threat, while going some way to proving that there are far better uses for him than as a back-up right-back.

“With every defeat, it gets closer to turning into a crisis,” former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard told TNT Sports. “I don’t think Liverpool have reached this level [yet] – The crisis is very strong.

“There are no excuses for a performance like this at this football club

“You can’t deny that the team is struggling hugely, they’re in poor form, their confidence is at an all-time low, they’re wide open.

He added: “If the coach is unable to find solutions and stability in his team, this situation will continue.”

However, PSV was never an easy match for Slottl to try and get his players back on track.

The former Feyenoord coach has won just one of his past eight matches against the Eredivisie side in all competitions (D3 L4), and no team has suffered more defeats in his managerial career.

Slott says he is not worried about his future at the club and is instead focused on turning things around.

The 47-year-old added: “I need to do better. This is what I try to do every day to improve the team and this is my main focus.”