LIVERPOOL manager Arne Slot has admitted that opponents have found a way to beat his English Premier League champions and he needs a quick solution after a 3-2 defeat at Brentford last night made it four league defeats in a row.
Super Eagles midfielder Frank Onyeka was a late substitute at the Gtech Community Stadium as Brentford stunned last season’s champions.
Liverpool’s title defence had begun well but defeats at Crystal Palace, Chelsea and Brentford, as well as last week’s 2-1 home loss to Manchester United, have left the Dutchman’s side in a slump.
Slot said the loss at Brentford was arguably the worst performance in their dip in form as Liverpool were deservedly beaten by a side who ruthlessly exploited their fragility.
“I’ve said this many times already that teams have a certain playing style against us, which is a very good strategy to play, and we haven’t found an answer yet,” Slot told reporters.
“Also going 1-0 down doesn’t really help as well after five minutes. But even today, when we don’t play well, we’re able to score two goals and create more chances from open play.”
Liverpool have conceded early goals in each of their four Premier League defeats and went behind at Eintracht Frankfurt in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday before storming back to win 5-1.
The way they conceded the first goal to Brentford after five minutes was especially frustrating for Slot who said they had spent Friday preparing for Brentford’s long throws.
They could not deal with Italy international with Nigerian heritage Michael Kayode’s delivery, however, and when Kristoffer Ajer flicked the ball on, Dango Ouattara reacted superbly to hook his volley past Giorgi Mamardashvili.
“They won more duels than us, they won more second balls than us and if you come here and you know if you are going to concede goals then one of them may be a set-piece and a counter-attack is also one of their biggest strengths and that’s how we conceded two goals,” Slot explained.
Liverpool spent more than £400 million in the summer transfer window on Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez and Alexander Isak but have looked a shadow of the side that won the club’s record-equalling 20th league title in Slot’s first season.
They have lost four of their opening nine games, as many as they did in the whole of last season.
“If you change quite a lot during the summer, then I think it’s not a surprise that it can go a bit like this, but I didn’t expect it to go with four losses in a row,” Slot said.
“It’s always a bit of a bumpy road, but four losses in a row. We’ve also played five of the last six games away from home which is not helpful when we are in the run of form we are.”