Liverpool’s recent slump has sparked widespread criticism across the football community, with both Mohamed Salah and manager Arne Slot facing intense scrutiny following another disappointing defeat — this time at the hands of Brentford.
Despite Salah ending his goal drought, the 33-year-old’s overall performance once again fell short of expectations. The Egyptian forward has struggled to rediscover the record-breaking form he displayed last season, prompting criticism from pundits including Gary Neville.
However, former Sky Sports reporter Melissa Reddy believes the backlash directed at Salah and Slot has been excessive. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Reddy wrote:
“It’s beyond bad right now, but there is an unwarranted level of disrespect — aimed at Mo Salah and Arne Slot in particular — plus a rash writing off of signings already.”
Brentford’s Subtle Dig at Arne Slot
Following the match, Brentford appeared to mock Slot in a social media post referencing his recent comments about opposition tactics. Earlier in the season, the Liverpool boss suggested teams often change their approach when facing the Reds, citing Manchester United’s decision to drop Benjamin Sesko as an example.
Slot said at the time:
“We’ve seen Sesko play the last three, four, five or six times, but they go to Liverpool and they change the line-up. That’s not the first team we’ve faced that has done that.”
He further explained that United’s low defensive block and reliance on long balls made it difficult for Liverpool to break through.
After Brentford’s 2–0 victory, the club’s official X account posted a subtle dig reading, “Must have been that unchanged team,” referencing Slot’s earlier remarks.
Slow Starts and Lingering Problems
Liverpool’s latest defeat has only added to a worrying trend of slow starts. The Reds have consistently conceded early goals, allowing opponents to gain momentum and control matches from the outset.
The problem first surfaced at Selhurst Park, where Ismaila Sarr’s ninth-minute strike gave Crystal Palace the lead. The following week, Moisés Caicedo put Chelsea ahead inside 14 minutes, before Bryan Mbeumo scored for Brentford just two minutes into their clash.
At the Gtech Community Stadium, Liverpool’s defensive fragility was again exposed as Dango Ouattara found the net within the opening five minutes. According to football data editor Michael Reid, this marks the first time since January 1996 that Liverpool have conceded within the first 15 minutes in four consecutive league matches — an alarming statistic for the reigning champions.
As the pressure mounts on Arne Slot, the Dutch manager has described the Brentford defeat as “the worst loss of my career.” With fans voicing their frustrations and chants calling for his dismissal growing louder, Liverpool’s upcoming fixtures could prove decisive for both Slot’s future and the team’s season
