Liverpool’s ninth in their past 12 matches leaves the Premier League champions facing uncomfortable questions about their direction under Slot, who delivered the title in his debut campaign but has overseen a dramatic and unexpected collapse in recent weeks.

Liverpool has now suffered three successive defeats by a margin of three goals, something not seen at Anfield since December 1953. They have conceded seven goals in two home games, and their early-season momentum has evaporated as quickly as it was built.

Midfielder Curtis Jones, speaking after the match, admitted the team was struggling for answers.

“I’m past being angry, I’m just lost for words now,” he told BBC Sport. “This isn’t acceptable for any of us.”

Liverpool opened the season with seven straight Premier League wins, creating belief that another title challenge was emerging under their new manager. But a run of six defeats in seven first sparked unease, and a promising spell earlier this month including wins over Aston Villa and Real Madrid has now proven to be a false dawn.

The 3–0 loss to Manchester City before the international break was concerning. The 3–0 defeat to Nottingham Forest that followed was alarming. Wednesday night’s capitulation to PSV, however, has intensified scrutiny on Slot’s methods, selections and summer recruitment.

Former Liverpool full-back Stephen Warnock told BBC Sport the team’s struggles appear deeper than poor finishing or confidence.

“The defeats are snowballing,” he said. “There’s a lack of fight, which is the hardest thing for fans to watch. Nothing is clicking.”

Liverpool owners have historically avoided knee-jerk managerial decisions, and Slot’s strong start to life at Anfield still buys him credit. But big-money signings who were expected to transform the team have yet to deliver.

Record signing Alexander Isak remains without a goal, Florian Wirtz is sidelined, and full-back Milos Kerkez has struggled to adapt. Against PSV, Slot made only two changes despite the game slipping away a decision widely questioned after another disjointed performance.

The brightest spark was Dominik Szoboszlai, who scored and injected energy from midfield, but even his influence wasn’t enough to prevent another heavy defeat.

Former captain Steven Gerrard, speaking on TNT Sports, said the club is not yet in “crisis territory” but warned that the situation will worsen without immediate solutions.

“Confidence is gone, they’re wide open defensively, and they’re not showing the intensity you expect from Liverpool,” he said. “The manager needs answers fast.”

Liverpool had been well-placed in the Champions League with three wins from four, but their defeat leaves them outside the top-eight threshold ahead of crucial matches against Inter Milan and Marseille.

Before that, Slot must try to stabilize his side in the Premier League, starting with Sunday’s trip to West Ham a match that now carries significant weight.

Warnock believes every player must “go back to basics” to stop the slide.

“Morale is on the floor,” he said. “There are no easy games for them at the moment.”

While the early results masked deeper issues including key departures and unsettled signings the scale and speed of Liverpool’s decline has shocked supporters. Slot insists he will not focus on speculation about his future.

“I need to do better, and I know that,” he said. “All I can do is work every day to improve the team.”

For Liverpool, the challenge now is halting a run that is threatening to derail their season entirely and preventing a difficult spell from becoming historically disastrous.