Liverpool’s recent performance has been marked by a troubling series of defeats, with the latest setback coming on October 25, 2025, when they fell 3-2 to Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium. After losses to Crystal Palace and Chelsea, head coach Arne Slot finds himself in a challenging position, as excuses become increasingly difficult to justify.
In previous matches, Liverpool could attribute their failures to late goals conceded or missed opportunities. However, against Brentford, their shortcomings were glaring and undeniable. Players repeatedly put the ball out of play under minimal pressure and made basic defensive errors. By the 100th minute, Liverpool’s inability to beat the first man from a corner reflected a lack of urgency, particularly during a dismal 20-minute stretch after halftime where they failed to register a shot on goal while Brentford took charge of the match.
In the wake of the defeat, Slot attempted to clarify his stance during the post-match press conference, insisting he wasn’t making excuses while simultaneously listing several factors that may have contributed to Liverpool’s poor form. He noted, “I don’t know if it’s being seen as an excuse but of the last six games we’ve played there have been five away, something that is not helpful if you’re on the run of form we’re on.” Although it is a fact that the team has played five of their last six matches away, this does not hold much weight given that Liverpool boasts the best away record in the 2024-25 season.
Liverpool has lost four of those matches, including significant defeats at Crystal Palace, Galatasaray, Chelsea, and Brentford. Comparatively, last season they managed to win against Brentford and Palace, demonstrating a stark decline in form. Currently, only one team in Europe’s top five leagues, St Pauli, is experiencing a worse losing streak, underscoring that playing away is not the core issue.
The quick turnaround from their match against Eintracht Frankfurt to facing Brentford on Saturday presented additional challenges. Slot acknowledged this, referencing it as a potential factor affecting performance. Yet, with a deep squad at his disposal, it becomes increasingly difficult to defend the basic errors that have plagued the team. He commented, “It should never be seen as an excuse but if I say it was a soft penalty, I hope you guys aren’t going to tell me that wasn’t soft.”
The penalty awarded to Brentford for a foul by Virgil van Dijk on Dango Ouattara was indeed a marginal call. While Slot highlighted the incident, he may have benefitted from focusing on his captain’s lapse in judgment that led to the foul in the first place. Van Dijk’s performance has been under scrutiny, as he has struggled with consistency in recent matches.
Another contentious moment arose when Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo appeared to be fouled in the box, yet no penalty was awarded. Slot indicated that both incidents could warrant a penalty but noted the difficulty in making such calls. The inconsistency has been a recurring theme, complicating Liverpool’s ability to mount a strong response when trailing.
Addressing the squad’s recent summer changes, Slot remarked that the upheaval might be impacting performance. He expressed surprise at the current streak of four consecutive losses, acknowledging, “It’s always a bit of a bumpy road if you change.” While the departures of senior players like Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez were strategic, the underperformance of new signings has been particularly problematic.
Players like Milos Kerkez and Florian Wirtz have faced challenges adapting to the demands of the Premier League, with Kerkez notably struggling to maintain composure in defensive situations. Wirtz displayed flashes of brilliance but often failed to connect with teammates, highlighting the need for better cohesion within the squad.
Brentford’s strategy relied on physicality and direct play, successfully exploiting Liverpool’s weaknesses. Slot acknowledged their effective tactics and criticized his players for failing to execute fundamental elements of the game. Liverpool’s inability to win second balls and duels in midfield has raised concerns about their overall competitiveness.
As the string of defeats continues, the question remains: how long can Liverpool sustain these excuses? The longer this poor form persists, the more pressing the need for accountability becomes. With a squad filled with talent, the expectation is that Liverpool must rise to the occasion, or risk further diminishing their standing in the league.
