Liverpool Tactical Analysis: Another Low Point for Arne Slot at Brentford
A fourth straight Premier League defeat leaves Arne Slot searching for answers as Liverpool’s title defence unravels at Brentford.
Saturday night in London should have been a chance for Liverpool to steady the ship, but instead it brought another setback in what has quickly become a nightmare run of form. Under the lights at the Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford outmuscled, out-thought, and outworked a Liverpool side that looks a shadow of the team that stormed to the Premier League title under Arne Slot just months ago. The 3-2 defeat marked a fourth consecutive league loss, leaving questions about structure, intensity, and mentality.
Set Piece Struggles and Familiar Failings
Once again, the same frailties surfaced. Set pieces, transitions, and poor defensive organisation continue to cost Liverpool dearly. Brentford’s physicality and directness proved too much, exposing the Reds’ soft underbelly in the most basic of areas.
Liverpool conceded 17 shots, 8 on target, and an expected goals (xG) against of 2.55. Brentford registered a 15 percent average chance quality and managed 26 touches inside Liverpool’s penalty area. These numbers tell their own story, one of disorganisation, poor anticipation, and a failure to win key duels in both boxes.
It is not only a question of individual mistakes but of collective dysfunction. Arne Slot admitted in his post match comments that the squad had worked on defending throw ins in the days leading up to the game, yet Brentford’s opening goal arrived from precisely that situation. It is the latest in a long list of moments where preparation and reality have failed to align.
When Momentum Turns Against You
Since the Crystal Palace defeat, Liverpool have conceded first in every league game. That trend has become a psychological burden, forcing them to chase matches, stretch structure, and take unnecessary risks. The stress of always playing from behind is eroding confidence and tactical clarity.
The first Brentford goal came from that fateful throw in. The second arrived after a poor touch by Hugo Ekitike, followed by a clever move from Damsgaard, who drew the counter press before slipping the ball through Liverpool’s central defenders to find Schade. Mamardashvili, normally reliable, could not prevent the shot from creeping in.
Kerkez offered brief hope with a well taken goal, but the optimism was short lived. Van Dijk was penalised for a foul that looked to occur on the very edge of the area. The penalty decision was controversial, and though replays suggested contact outside the box, the referee’s call stood. When it rains, it pours. Salah’s goal brought some relief, yet even his strike could not spark a turnaround. Liverpool finished without creating another clear opening to make it 3-3.
