Opinion: Liverpool set unwanted records with “poor” defeat to rivals

Recurring defensive lapses once again proved decisive. Liverpool’s inability to manage key moments has become a defining flaw this season. Slot was candid in his assessment: “There is a pattern that we concede ridiculous goals. That we have more influence on, so I should focus much more on that rather than these referee decisions.”

Pearce echoed that sentiment, stressing that this was “certainly no hard luck story”. The statistics underline the concern. Liverpool have now suffered 18 defeats in all competitions this season, a tally rarely seen in the club’s modern era. Only a handful of campaigns since 1962 have produced worse figures.

The manner of United’s goals will particularly trouble Slot. Slow starts have plagued Liverpool all season, and once again they were caught cold. “If you concede after six minutes in this stadium, you always know you are going to face a period of struggle afterwards,” Slot admitted.

Even more concerning is their vulnerability late in matches. Liverpool have conceded 16 league goals in the final 15 minutes this season, a trend that suggests both tactical fragility and lapses in concentration.

Tactical Calls and Selection Under Scrutiny

Slot’s team selection raised eyebrows, particularly the absence of a clear focal point in attack during the first half. Deploying Cody Gakpo wide and using Florian Wirtz alongside Dominik Szoboszlai in advanced roles left Liverpool lacking presence through the middle.

Pearce highlighted that Liverpool’s attacking threat was “non-existent” before the interval. The shift after the break, with Gakpo moving centrally, sparked improvement and a comeback from 2-0 down to 2-2.

Szoboszlai’s contribution stood out. His goal and assist took him to 13 goals and 10 assists for the season, making him the first Liverpool midfielder since Steven Gerrard in 2013-14 to reach double figures in both categories.

However, just as Liverpool appeared to seize control, familiar weaknesses resurfaced. The decisive goal, created by a lapse in defensive organisation and poor ball retention, summed up a side still struggling for consistency.

Champions League Target Remains Within Reach

Despite the disappointment, Liverpool’s Champions League ambitions remain firmly intact. Fixtures against Aston Villa, Chelsea and Brentford provide a clear pathway to securing a top-four finish.

Pearce pointed out that Liverpool’s position says as much about their rivals as it does about their own progress. “The fact they still look destined to secure Champions League football says far more about the inadequacies of the chasing pack rather than any signs of Liverpool progressing.”

For Slot, the closing weeks of the campaign now carry added importance. Beyond results, there is a need to demonstrate tangible improvement and restore confidence among a divided fanbase.

The Dutchman acknowledged the scale of the task: “Everything we have done before deserves a lot of criticism.” It was a stark but accurate reflection of a performance that exposed lingering issues.

Liverpool may yet achieve their primary objective, but as the original source analysis makes clear, this defeat has reignited questions about direction, resilience and whether Slot can deliver the consistency required at the highest level.