Liverpool in Crisis Mode: 4-1 Defeat to PSV Marks Ninth Loss in 12 — What’s Going Wrong at Anfield

What Happened: Another Defeat, Another Worry

On November 26, 2025, Liverpool FC were humiliated 4–1 at home by PSV Eindhoven in the UEFA Champions League — marking their ninth loss in their last 12 games across all competitions, and sending shockwaves through the club. 

The result deepens a slump widely regarded as Liverpool’s worst since the 1953-54 season. 

What’s Going Wrong: Key Issues Undermining the Reds

According to analyses, several intertwined problems explain the crisis: 

• Defensive Collapse & Leadership in Decline

Veteran defender Virgil van Dijk was at fault early on — conceding a handball-penalty that set the tone for a disastrous night. 

His partner Ibrahima Konaté also struggled badly, failing to deal with a simple forward pass that led to PSV’s third goal — one of many critical defensive lapses. 

The left-back slot hasn't helped: Miloš Kerkez, given a recent opportunity, looked overmatched — repeatedly beaten, nervous in build-up defence, and ultimately exposed in both full-back and centre-back coordination. 

• Midfield/Right-Side Vulnerabilities & Poor Press Responsibility

On the right flank, attackers including Mohamed Salah offered almost nothing defensively. With limited support behind him, PSV repeatedly exploited spaces, especially for their second goal — a failure of both tactical setup and individual commitment. 

The team’s press collapsed midway, especially after a substitution forced by injury. The lack of pressing allowed PSV time and space to build dominant second-half play. 

• Attackers Not Delivering, Fresh Signings Yet to Make Impact

New acquisition Alexander Isak — meant to spearhead the attack — came on as substitute but offered little threat. His lack of presence and pressing meant he wasn’t able to shift the momentum. 

With attacks failing and defence leaking, the entire balance of the team is off. As one pundit described it, the performance was “100% worse than the already-bad result at Forest.” 

Response from Inside: Manager and Players React

After the loss, manager Arne Slot admitted the mood was “bleak” and described the defeat as “very disappointing.” He insisted the only way forward was to “face reality and fight really hard.” 

He also acknowledged that despite a decent first-half response to going 0-1 down, the second half exposed deeper structural problems in defending and pressing dynamics. 

Even longtime squad members looked shaken. Midfielder Curtis Jones, a club fan at heart, admitted the downturn is painful but vowed to fight for the badge. 

What This Means for Liverpool’s Season & What Must Change

Tactical overhaul is needed. Defensive pairings are failing, full-back support weak — simply tweaking lineup won’t suffice; structural defense and pressing strategy need rework.

Fresh signings must deliver, but accountability is key. New attackers like Isak must offer energy — pressing, movement — not just name value.

Balance between attack and defence must be restored. Relying on frontline brilliance while ignoring team defensive work is proving unsustainable.

Mental readiness and leadership must return. Players like van Dijk have to recapture leadership by performance, not just presence; younger players must step up under pressure.

 What’s Next: Crucial Matches and Pressure Points

Liverpool’s upcoming matches will be critical. Fan patience appears thin after three successive three-goal defeats, home–and–away. Former players like Steven Gerrard have urged urgency — warning that continued collapse could turn “unacceptable.” 

Good performances, especially defensively, and improved cohesion are now essential if the Reds hope to salvage Europe ambitions, stabilize domestic league standing, and restore confidence at Anfield.

Conclusion

The 4–1 loss to PSV isn’t just another bad result — it reflects a deeper institutional crisis at Liverpool. Defensive fragility, tactical misfires, and underperforming signings are combining into what may be one of the worst spells in the club’s modern history. For Arne Slot and the squad, it’s time for bold decisions — because the price of complacency may be far higher than just another defeat.