Liverpool ‘crumbled’ after Villa setback: Ray Houghton

He added: “Tonight I thought it was a bit similar that way, but then when you get back to 1-1 at the start of the second half, you’re thinking, yeah, they could kick on and win this.”

That is what made the collapse so frustrating.

Virgil van Dijk had dragged Liverpool level, Rio Ngumoha then hit the post and there was a brief spell where it felt like Slot’s side might actually take control.

Instead, Dominik Szoboszlai slipped, Ollie Watkins scored and the game moved away from us far too quickly.

Houghton said: “The worry for the manager will certainly be going 2-1 down and then they crumbled.”

Liverpool players owe Salah and Robertson

That word feels especially damning because Liverpool have conceded 52 Premier League goals this season, with only five teams in the division letting in more.

John Aldridge has already said he was “flabbergasted” by how easy we’ve made it for teams to play against us, while Robertson admitted the Villa performance was “a long way short of the levels of this club.”

Houghton now believes the squad must respond properly against Brentford, especially with Salah and Robertson leaving.

He said: “I think the players owe them two when you look at what they’ve done for the club.”

That should be the minimum now.

Liverpool need a result, but they also need to show some pride for two players who deserve far better than a nervous, flat farewell.