Seven consecutive victories at the start of the campaign, Liverpool seemed poised to mount a strong title defense in the Premier League and make a deep run in the Champions League. Now they are in the middle of what is their worst run in 71 years after suffering a humiliating 4-1 defeat to PSV at Anfield. Liverpool have lost nine of their past 12 matches for the first time since the 1953-54 season, losing their last three in all competitions by a combined score of three goals for and five against in five days at their usually impregnable home fortress, Merseyside. "I don't have answers, honestly I don't," Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones told RTE. "I'm beyond being angry inside. I'm now at the point where I just don't have words."

Liverpool fans' statistics are horrifying, having been in dreamland after winning the Premier League title under Arne Slot's guidance in his first season, but now questioning if he is still the right man for the job. The Dutch manager is under increasing pressure as he struggles to find a solution that is quickly becoming a serious problem. "Currently everything is not working and everything is very difficult," former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock told BBC Sport. "The defeats are just piling up and everything is getting worse and worse. "Is it overconfidence? I actually don't know why and it's very strange. But it seems there's a lack of fight, which is very hard to watch."

Slot's future is under threat with 'no answers and no stability' Liverpool's brilliant start was followed by a seven-game losing streak, raising concerns and talk of a crisis. Things seemed to be turning around in early November, with wins against Aston Villa and Real Madrid boosting morale and giving hope of a return to form in the Champions League. But those proved to be not a permanent change in their fortunes, but a brief respite. A 3-0 loss to Manchester City before the international break was tough, but can be forgiven against Pep Guardiola's team. But a 3-0 defeat by Sean Dyches' Nottingham Forest left them 12th in the Premier League, and that has now been followed by this humiliating loss to PSV - only their second home defeat in 26 Champions League group stage matches since Atalanta beat them in 2020. That leaves Slot with a huge task to get his team back into the top half of the Premier League and keep them in the top eight in the Champions League, as they have now slipped to 13th. "I don't think there should be an impulsive reaction, I think this is a very difficult moment for Liverpool for one reason or another, but one thing I will say is that things weren't all right at the start of the season when they were winning," Warnock added. Managers being sacked at the first sign of trouble is not a tactic Liverpool often uses. Let's not forget that last year Slot oversaw the best run - eight wins in his first 10 Premier League games - by a Liverpool boss who had just replaced Jurgen Klopp. But his summer signings are not working, putting him under pressure. Record signing Alexander Isak has yet to score, German playmaker Florian Wirtz is currently injured and left-back Milos Kerkez is still struggling. However, on Wednesday Slot made only two changes when his team was losing. One was Isak for fellow new signing Hugo Ekitik, who appeared to be injured, and the other was Italian striker Federico Chiesa for Ibrahima Konate for another difficult night. "This run is a shock for everyone," Slot admitted. "For the players, for me. I don't get shocked easily and it's very unexpected. We can all do better individually, but it's about everyone, including myself."

The brightest spark may have been Dominik Szoboszlai. Restored to a central midfield role against PSV, he not only scored but also provided energy and attacking threat, showing there is a significantly better use for him than as a backup right-back. "Each defeat is closer to a crisis," former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard told TNT Sports. "I don't think Liverpool is there yet - crisis is too strong. "There is no excuse for this level of performance at this football club. "I can't deny that the team is struggling badly, their confidence is at an all-time low, they are wide open. "If the manager can't find answers and stability in his team, then this situation will continue."

However, PSV would never have been an easy match for Slot to try to get his players back on track. The former Feyenoord boss has only won one of his eight matches against them in all competitions, and has never lost more matches against any team than he has against them in the Eredivisie. Slot says he is currently not thinking about his future at the club and is instead focused on turning things around. "I must do better, that's what I try to do every day to improve the team, and that's where my main focus is," the 47-year-old added. "The bigger picture" and what's next? Liverpool had been doing well in the Champions League with three wins from four matches. That defeat has left them one point off the top eight, but they have tough games coming up against Inter Milan and Marseille. But first, there is a trip to West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday. "Every Liverpool player needs to go back to basics right now, because every player is struggling and needs improvement," Warnock said. "Morale needs to be lifted, but that's very difficult. Right now, there are no easy games for Liverpool."

While Liverpool's results were impressive at the start, problems were evident with new signings struggling to settle and players who had excelled the previous season not offering the same quality and contribution. The impact of Portuguese forward Diego Jota's departure in July cannot be ignored. "I think there is a bigger picture of what is happening around the club," Warnock added. "There is a lot going on at the club compared to last year. However, this is an industry based on results and right now Liverpool is losing heavily and there are no signs that they are changing - there is no improvement. "But, what are you putting it down to? Is it down to the manager? Is it what happened with Jota? I think it's a very difficult situation for the club to look at because it's surrounded by everything."

For those who support the club, there is desperate need for a solution, but questions remain about what that will be - and how quickly it can be found before this becomes a memorable season.