ARNE SLOT ADMITS LIVERPOOL’S PERFORMANCE DROP FAR WORSE THAN EXPECTED

Liverpool's slump continues with a 3-2 loss to Brentford, their fourth straight defeat. Manager Arne Slot admits concern over the team's decline and inability to handle opponent tactics as title hopes fade.

Arne Slot admits Liverpool’s performance drop far worse than expected
Arne Slot has lost five of his last six matches as Liverpool head coach - COURTESY/PHOTO

Following their fourth consecutive loss, Arne Slot said that he did not anticipate Liverpool's concerning decline in play.

Igor Thiago, Kevin Schade, and Dango Ouattara all scored goals as the Reds lost 3-2 at Brentford, shattering their hopes of winning the Premier League title.

Although Mohamed Salah stopped his current goal drought and Milos Kerkez grabbed one back, the champs are still in a slump and might fall seven points behind leaders Arsenal by the end of the weekend.

"Again, disappointing," Reds manager Slot remarked. "I was anticipating and hoping for a stronger performance. It was not at all like what we usually experience. Our performances were superior to tonight's, even when we had been losing.

We have not discovered a solution yet, but teams appear to use a particular style of play against us, which is a really smart tactic to employ.

You are unable to compete, which is something we do not do at present because we give up too many goals.

"I think it is not surprising that it can go somewhat like this if you change a lot during the summer. That is absolutely another factor. To be clear, though, I did not anticipate it to follow four consecutive losses.

Slot acknowledged that Brentford's long throws posed a threat, claiming that they practised them all on Friday. Despite this, Liverpool was unable to contain them, falling behind after just five minutes.

Kristoffer Ajer nodded on Michael Kayode's delivery at the near post, and Ouattara beat Kerkez to hook the ball in.

The second goal came in the 45th minute, shortly after Cody Gakpo's compelling penalty claim was denied after Nathan Collins challenged him.

Mikkel Damsgaard made the ideal defence-splitting pass to Schade after Florian Wirtz lost the ball in midfield. Schade then gave Ibrahima Konate a clean pair of heels before finishing past Giorgi Mamardashvili.

But when teammate full-back Kerkez hammered home Conor Bradley's cross in stoppage time, Liverpool had a lifeline.

Referee Tim Robinson awarded a free kick after Ouattara was clipped by Virgil Van Dijk on the box's edge following the interval.

Thiago took care of the rest after a VAR check revealed that contact was on the line and a penalty was given

Slot believed that both penalty calls went against his team. "It is a soft penalty to concede, but it is not an excuse," he stated.

And the second before it was 2-0 was a pivotal moment. You demonstrate the penalty, and if I had to administer one at that time, it would be to Cody.

Ajer's hesitancy allowed Dominic Szoboszlai to sneak in a cross, but the equaliser would not arrive. With two minutes left, Salah scored his first goal in seven games with a brilliantly struck finish.

After losing manager Thomas Frank and several key players, the Bees were predicted to struggle this season. However, after three straight victories, they are suddenly in 10th place.

"The importance for me was that we took the game to that point," head coach Keith Andrews stated.

"It is evident that the team is expanding. We seem to be seeing a variety of performances these days. We deserved it, in my opinion. I am quite pleased with the way things are going.

ALISSON "OPEN" TO LIVERPOOL EXIT AS JUVENTUS PREPARE MASSIVE SWAP DEAL OFFER

With Alisson Becker open to a Juventus move, Liverpool is scouring the market for a replacement ahead of a major summer rebuild.

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Juventus offer Alisson Becker a contract until 2028 - Photo Credit: Getty Images

Liverpool isn’t just sitting around; it’s actively searching for someone to take Alisson Becker’s spot since Juventus looks serious about making a bid for their veteran keeper. Even though Alisson’s got a year left on his deal after the club triggered an extension back in March, he might leave this summer.

He’s been Liverpool’s go-to guy in goal since he arrived from Roma in 2018; he’s played 332 games, cost £67 million, and for years, he was untouchable. But injuries have piled up during the 2025/26 season, and it’s starting to look like his time at Anfield could be coming to an end.

Juventus are now right in the mix. Apparently, Alisson isn’t against the idea of leaving Liverpool, and Juventus could even throw their own goalkeeper, Michele Di Gregorio, into the deal for the Brazilian.

Juve are ready to offer Alisson a contract running through the summer of 2028, with an extra year as an option. Sky Sports says Liverpool already knows what’s happening and is getting their ducks in a row before a massive transfer window.

The club’s facing a big summer. Salah and Robertson are going, and now they might need a new keeper too. Giorgi Mamardashvili has stepped up when Alisson was out, playing 18 games across all competitions, but he’s injured himself, leaving Slot with just Freddie Woodman as his only fit option.

Recently, Slot was asked if losing Alisson at the same time as Robertson and Salah would be too much. He said, “The club makes decisions it thinks are right. If this happens, there's a reason behind it, maybe another good reason why we did what we did.”

He pointed out that Liverpool doesn’t make transfers on a whim. Decisions are thought through, with the club’s interests always at heart.

Regarding keeping Alisson for his experience, Slot admitted that’s one argument, but there are others and, ultimately, the club will decide what’s best. Alisson’s contract still has a year left.

When pressed about Juventus, Slot replied, “Ali’s main focus is clear; he wants to get back in goal for Liverpool as soon as possible and then play for Brazil. That’s his short- and mid-term future.”

LIVERPOOL WARNED TO OFFER CURTIS JONES NEW CONTRACT BEFORE 14-MONTH DEADLINE

Analysis: Curtis Jones’ elite passing stats and why Jermaine Pennant believes Liverpool cannot afford to lose the versatile midfielder.

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Several European clubs are monitoring Curtis Jones as contract uncertainty grows at Anfield - Photo Credit: Getty Images

Liverpool really needs to sort out a new contract for Curtis Jones before they make the same mistake it did with Luis Diaz. That’s what the Inside Liverpool panel thinks, especially now that Diaz is lighting up Bayern Munich and making Liverpool’s transfer moves look pretty questionable.

Bayern’s front three, with Diaz in the mix, have racked up 100 goals across all competitions this season – the first time any non-Spanish team has done that. Diaz himself has bagged 26 goals in 46 matches and just scored against PSG in the Champions League semi-final.

Looking back, Liverpool probably wish they hadn’t let Diaz walk for £65 million last summer. Since then, fans at Anfield haven’t seen anyone who brings what he did: that relentless pressing, always looming as a threat on the counter. Sure, they’ve brought in Rio Ngumoha, a teenager, just 17, but Arne Slot, the coach, knows you can’t just expect him to fill those shoes right away.

On talkSPORT’s Inside Liverpool, Jermaine Pennant, who has played for the club, said that Liverpool has to bring in another proven attacker over the summer. Pennant’s point: Diaz was great whether he played in the middle or on the left, and Liverpool needs someone with that kind of flexibility. You don’t want to sign a backup like Hugo Ekitike and then end up overcrowding with too many strikers when the main guy returns.

Now, Jones could end up in the same boat this summer. There’s a lot of uncertainty around his future, and when you look at the numbers, he’s only got 14 months left on his contract. Several clubs in England and Europe are watching, and he’s only started 15 games for Liverpool this season.

Even though he hasn’t played much, Jones is impressing; he’s second only to Rodri in midfielder passes per 90 minutes in the Premier League. He’s also ranked second behind Moises Caicedo for passing accuracy, and right behind Rayan Cherki for carries. Pennant said the club can’t afford to let him go: Jones is so versatile; you can play him anywhere in midfield or even right back. He knows the club, loves it, and helps connect the squad.

Jones has been one of the top performers recently. Pennant thinks Liverpool should offer him a new deal, especially since the squad is thinning out and they’ve already lost Trent Alexander-Arnold. In the end, it’s up to Jones if he wants to stay or move for more game time, but Liverpool has to make the offer while they still can.

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