Liverpool told they're in 'crisis' after fourth Premier League defeat in a row to Brentford as club legend Jamie Carragher pinpoints £450m summer transfer spend

Goals from Dango Ouattara, Kevin Schade and Igor Thiago sealed a famous win for the Bees, despite strikes from Milos Kerkez and Mohamed Salah threatening a comeback. The result piled further pressure on Slot, who suddenly finds himself under the scanner after inspiring the Reds to a record-equalling 20th Premier League title in May. Looking at their performance against Brentford, Carragher didn’t hold back, warning that the issues at Liverpool run far deeper than form.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher said: "I don't think they've got enough [physicality]. To lose four games in a row for a team like Brentford, or a team battling relegation, would be a disaster. To see the champions lose four games in a row, with the expenditure in the summer, I think we're in crisis time. There will be a lot of serious questions being asked of everyone, the playing staff, and the manager. When they've looked at what they've spent, they'll be looking for a lot more. Liverpool have to look at the physicality and height within their team because, right now, I don’t think they have enough."

Slot also admitted post-match that his team’s performance was one of the worst of his tenure. The Dutchman appeared visibly dejected as he faced the media and said: "Disappointing, again. You are always hoping if you win a game of football during the week, although it is only two days' rest when you come over here, of course you are hoping for a better result, but I was also hoping and expecting a better performance, because the performance was far from what we are used to. Even if we are losing, our performances have been better than tonight."

Slot believes Liverpool must reinvent themselves as their Premier League rivals have chalked up a blueprint to beat them. Their defensive problems have been laid bare, and the Dutch manager must go back to the tactics board to conjure a new plan for his troops. 

"I have said many times already, teams have a certain playing style against us, which is a very good strategy to play and we haven't found an answer yet," he admitted. "Every time going 1-0 down doesn't really help as well after five minutes. It's a bit of that, that teams know which strategy to play against us. We are still, even today when we don't play well, able to score two goals and create more chances than only the two we scored from open play. But you cannot even compete, which we don't do at the moment, we don't compete up there because we simply concede too many goals and that is not something I only look at our defence [for], that's something we do with 11 players together."

Slot also pointed to the disruption caused by Liverpool’s busy summer overhaul. The club signed several high-profile names, including Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, in an effort to refresh the squad. However, the new arrivals are still struggling to adapt to Slot’s system.

"Yes, it definitely also has to do with if you change quite a lot in the summer then I think it's not a surprise that it can go a bit like this," he said. "But I didn't expect it to go with four losses in a row, let that be clear. That it is always a bit of a bumpy road if you change, that is not so surprising, but four losses in a row and I don't know if that has been as an excuse but from the last six games we have played, there have been five away. So, sometimes this is also not really helpful if you are on the run of form that we are."

Slot faces a crucial test in the coming days as he looks to stop the rot. Liverpool return to Anfield on Wednesday for a Carabao Cup clash against Crystal Palace, who have beaten the Reds twice already this season. After that, the fixtures don’t get any easier as Aston Villa and Manchester City await in the league. Failure to turn things around quickly could see Liverpool’s season unravel even before Christmas.