Summary
Troubled Liverpool endured yet another night of frustration as their poor season plunged further with a heavy 4-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Arne Slot’s team fell behind early to Ivan Perisic’s penalty, and even though Dominik Szoboszlai found an equaliser, it failed to spark any real improvement from the Reds.
Second-half goals from Guus Til and a brace from Couhaib Driouech punished Liverpool’s disorganised defending, handing the struggling Premier League champions their ninth loss in 12 matches across all competitions.
This marks Liverpool’s worst run of form since the 1953-54 season, intensifying pressure on Slot as boos echoed around Anfield at full-time.
After a 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest at home just days earlier, Liverpool have now suffered three consecutive defeats, conceding 10 goals in that stretch.
Despite last season’s title success and a significant summer rebuild, the Reds now sit in 12th place ahead of Sunday’s trip to West Ham—their first time in the bottom half of the table in over 10 years.
Their Champions League hopes are also uncertain following their second defeat in five matches, marking their first home loss in the competition’s opening phase in five years. The Reds currently sit 13th in the league phase, where only the top eight secure automatic progression.
Slot admitted on Tuesday that he feels “guilty” about Liverpool’s “ridiculous” slump, but he appears unable to halt the team’s alarming decline—a fact reflected in the empty red seats seen across the stadium late in the game.
Fragile Liverpool
Slot opted to bench British record signing Alexander Isak after another goalless outing, but the decision offered no improvement as Liverpool became the first English club to lose at home to PSV since 2008.
Liverpool looked flat, lost key duels, struggled to penetrate PSV’s low block, and were repeatedly exposed on the counter.
Virgil van Dijk, who urged his teammates to show individual responsibility, was at fault as PSV took the lead in the sixth minute. Instead of clearing a corner, he raised his arm unnecessarily, handling the ball in the process.
Despite Van Dijk insisting he was fouled, Perisic converted the penalty in front of a stunned Kop.
Liverpool equalised 10 minutes later when Cody Gakpo burst into the PSV box and saw his effort pushed out by Matej Kovar, allowing Szoboszlai to guide home from 12 yards.
Van Dijk nearly made up for his earlier mistake with a header that hit the bar from Mohamed Salah’s corner, while Kovar had to react sharply to stop Hugo Ekitike before halftime.
However, Liverpool’s push for a second goal faded, and their defensive weaknesses were exposed again in the 56th minute when Mauro Junior’s clever pass freed Milos Kerkez, who squared for Til to finish with precision.
Gakpo then squandered a clear chance, heading over from Szoboszlai’s cross.
Liverpool’s misery deepened in the 73rd minute when Ibrahima Konate misplayed a pass, allowing Ricardo Pepi to burst through and hit the post, with Driouech tapping in the rebound.
In stoppage time, Sergino Dest broke free down the flank and delivered for Driouech to strike home once more, leaving Slot stunned on the touchline.
What You Should Know
Liverpool’s shocking 4-1 home defeat to PSV highlights a team struggling with form, structure, and confidence.
Their defensive errors, lack of intensity, and inability to convert key chances underline a deeper crisis that extends beyond individual performances.
With pressure mounting on Arne Slot and both Premier League and Champions League hopes fading, Liverpool face a defining moment in their season as they search for stability and answers.
