Liverpool’s director, Arne Slot, is facing mounting pressure after a shocking 1- 4 home defeat to PSV Eindhoven, a collapse the club hasn’t seen in 72 years.
At the centre of the disaster was captain Virgil van Dijk, whose protective crimes left suckers and pundits likewise questioning whether niche can undergird the boat.
Liverpool’s Defensive Collapse Puts Slot Under Pressure
The titleholders League match on 27th November (KST) saw Liverpool’s three-game winning streak come to an abrupt halt.
The Reds now sit 13th in the group with three triumphs and two losses (nine points), while PSV climbed to 15th with eight points after two triumphs, two draws, and one loss.
This defeat marked Liverpool’s third successive loss by three pretensions, a script the club hasn’t endured since 1953.
Just before Eindhoven, Liverpool suffered 0-3 defeats to Manchester City away and Nottingham Forest at home in the Premier League.
Across their last 12 matches in all competitions, the Reds have managed just three wins against nine losses, a shocking slump for a team that lifted last season’s Premier League trophy.
The result has fans questioning the stability of Slot’s tenure, though the club continues to publicly back him. Yet the mood around Anfield is tense, and repeated defensive collapses and poor squad motivation could quickly change that.
Van Dijk’s Errors Expose Liverpool’s Backline
Liverpool’s nightmare started just six minutes in when Virgil van Dijk made a baffling error. Stretching out his arm while jumping to intercept a ball that sailed over his head, he inadvertently gave away a penalty.
British outlet Court of Offside described the moment as a “hand gesture reminiscent of Michael Jordan.”
Virgil van Dijk (3) has conceded more penalties than any other Premier League player across all competitions this season pic.twitter.com/tRU7U21OXS
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 26, 2025
Ivan Perišić converted the penalty, putting PSV ahead. This marks the third penalty van Dijk has conceded this season, the most of any Premier League defender.
Court of Offside didn’t hold back, stating: “The newly signed players and Slot are being blamed, but in fact the legendary Liverpool captain himself may be the player most responsible for prompting the manager’s dismissal,” and adding that “the pregame message that read ‘everything starts with the basics’ became a mockery.”
Van Dijk’s defensive partner, Ibrahima Konaté, also struggled. In the 73rd minute, with Liverpool trailing 1-2, he miskicked a pass, allowing PSV’s Kouhybe Driooshi to score.
The outlet went further, saying: “He seems to want to end his Liverpool career in disgrace,” and suggesting that he is putting off potential interest from Real Madrid in a free transfer next summer.
Liverpool’s left side was equally shaky. Fullback Milos Kerkez failed to track PSV attacker Whistill, who drifted dangerously inside.
Watching the defensive chaos, Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard told, “It’s a crime. A defender standing on the opposite side of the attacker is criminal play.”
Local media have labelled the 1-4 defeat “a decisive warning for the Slot era,” with some arguing that it is the players’ mistakes, rather than the manager, pushing calls for change.
Fans are now left asking hard questions, and with Van Dijk’s errors taking centre stage, Liverpool’s Premier League captain is under intense scrutiny.
The pressure is on Slot and his backline to rediscover their form before further damage is done in both domestic and European competitions.
