Anfield’s roar turned to stunned silence on November 26, 2025, as Liverpool suffered a humiliating 4-1 home defeat to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League—their sixth loss in seven games across all competitions and worst run in 71 years. Arne Slot’s side, who swept the 2024/25 title with 89 points, have now dropped 18 points from winning positions this season, conceding seven goals in five days at fortress Anfield. Curtis Jones’ candid “I’m past being angry” confession captured the despair, while Slot admitted “unacceptable” failures and a lack of answers. With the Reds 11th in the PL (18 points, 8 behind Arsenal) and 13th in UCL league phase (3 points), this “shock for everyone” (Slot) demands introspection—overconfidence, poor recruitment, or deeper malaise?
Key Stats from the PSV Debacle
- Scoreline: Liverpool 1-4 PSV (HT 0-2)
- PSV Goals: De Jong (12′), Veerman (28′), Tillman (55′), Vertessen (72′)
- Liverpool Goal: Szoboszlai (81′)
- Possession: Liverpool 62%—but 0 first-half shots on target
- xG: Liverpool 1.2 vs PSV 2.1
- Attendance: 53,007 (Anfield sell-out)
- Form: 6 losses in 7 (all comps)—equals 58 prior games
- PL Position: 11th (18 pts, 8 behind Arsenal)
PSV’s clinical counters punished Liverpool’s wastefulness, turning dominance into demolition.
The Meltdown Unfolds: Early Promise, Late Collapse
Liverpool started brightly—62% possession, high press—but PSV struck first (De Jong 12′, break). Veerman doubled (28′, corner chaos)—0 shots on target HT.
Slot’s tweaks: Szoboszlai central (Odegaard injury)—lone spark (81′ consolation). Second half: Tillman (55′, counter), Vertessen (72′, tap-in).
Slot: “Started well 30 mins—conceded, no create. Adjustments? Didn’t work. My responsibility.”
Jones (RTE): “Unacceptable—past angry, no words.”
Keown (BBC): “Crisis? Major problem—6/7 defeats unthinkable. Wheels off; £450m worse team.”
Warnock: “Tough—losing heavily; confidence all-time low.”
Gerrard (TNT): “No excuses—struggling massively. Wide open—manager find answers.”
Slot Under Fire: From Title Hero to Crisis Manager
Slot’s 2024/25: 89 points (+61 GD)—maiden title. 2025/26: 18 points, 11th—6 losses = 2014/15 total.
Summer £450m: Isak (£125m, 2 goals/12 PL apps); Wirtz (£116m, 0G/0A, injured); Ekitike (£80m, 1 goal); Kerkez (£35m, adapting).
Slot: “Invested big—quality there. Clinical missing; not perfect win big.”
October award (Manager Month): Fleeting—November 3 losses (City 0-3, Forest 0-3, PSV 1-4).
PSV record: 1 win in 8 vs Slot (D3 L4)—worst any opponent.
Slot: “Shock—difficult. Players/staff better; me too.”
The Bigger Woes: Anfield Fortress Crumbles, CL Hopes Fade
Anfield: 7 goals conceded 5 days—worst since 1953. 2 home losses in 3 (first since 2014/15).
PL: 11th (18 pts)—3 off top 4, but 6 losses = 58 prior.
UCL: 13th league phase (3 pts)—Inter (A, Dec 10), Marseille (H, Dec 17) loom.
Injuries: Odegaard (ankle), Havertz (knee), Gyökeres (hamstring), Martinelli (muscle), Madueke (knee).
Returning: Calafiori, White.
Jota shadow: July passing haunts (Robertson tribute post-Denmark WCQ win).
Warnock: “Bigger picture—Jota loss, overconfidence? Very difficult.”
Road to Redemption: West Ham Test, Slot’s Plea
Sunday: West Ham (A)—crucial for top-half push.
Slot: “Work together—be better. No knee-jerk—tough moment.”
Gerrard: “Find answers—stability needed.”
PL table (post-MD13):
| Pos | Team | Pts | GD |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal | 35 | +25 |
| 2 | Chelsea | 29 | +18 |
| 3 | Aston Villa | 26 | +12 |
| 4 | Man City | 25 | +20 |
| 11 | Liverpool | 18 | -5 |
Verdict: Unacceptable Slump – Slot’s Answers Needed Now
Liverpool 1-4 PSV: Worst run 71 years—6/7 losses, 7 goals conceded 5 days Anfield.
Slot: “Past angry—no words.” £450m crisis; clinical void.
November: West Ham/Inter/Marseille—redemption or ruin?
Anfield ghosts: Klopp roar faded—Slot’s revival urgent.
