Liverpool’s thrilling habit of grabbing late winners has finally backfired, leaving the Premier League champions tumbling from the top of the table after a string of painful defeats.
Arne Slot’s side had built their early-season momentum on dramatic last-minute victories, often relying on stoppage-time goals to mask inconsistent performances.
Bournemouth, Newcastle, Arsenal, Burnley, and Atletico Madrid were all undone by Liverpool’s late strikes, a high-risk strategy that has now unraveled.
In the space of seven days, the champions have been on the receiving end of the same heartbreak. Chelsea’s 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge came via Estevao Willian’s 95th-minute goal, while Eddie Nketiah’s 97th-minute strike sealed Crystal Palace’s 2-1 victory at Selhurst Park. Between those defeats, Galatasaray beat Liverpool 1-0 in Istanbul, marking the first time Slot has lost three consecutive games as a coach.
Slot tried to stay upbeat, insisting fine margins were to blame. “In both games we created more chances than the team we faced,” he told BBC Match of the Day.
“But we only scored once in both, while our opponents scored twice.” Still, the pattern is clear: Liverpool’s season has swung wildly, with ten goals scored after the 80th minute in their 11 matches so far most of them decisive.
Since losing the Community Shield to Crystal Palace, Liverpool have struggled to find balance.
Nearly £450 million worth of new signings have disrupted the team’s structure, with £116 million playmaker Florian Wirtz operating behind strikers Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike.
The attacking instincts of new full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez have left the team more vulnerable to counter-attacks.
Slot attempted to steady things against Chelsea by recalling last season’s title-winning midfield trio of Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Alexis Mac Allister.
Liverpool looked more compact but still flat, and despite Cody Gakpo’s equaliser after Moises Caicedo’s opener, Estevao’s stoppage-time finish condemned them again.
“It wasn’t the Liverpool we’re used to watching,” said former England forward Wayne Rooney on Match of the Day. “Chelsea wanted it more. They deserved the win.”
Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin added that Liverpool’s champion status has made them a target for every opponent: “When you’re the team to beat, everyone raises their game. That’s why it’s so hard to retain the title.”
Mohamed Salah, usually Liverpool’s talisman, has epitomised their slump.
The 33-year-old looked out of sorts, repeatedly losing possession and missing key chances, including a glaring second-half opportunity set up by Wirtz.
His finishing was erratic, his confidence visibly shaken.
Isak, still short of fitness, contributed to Gakpo’s goal but missed a clear header and looked drained before being replaced by Ekitike.
Wirtz showed flashes of quality but again drifted on the periphery.
After the international break, Slot will demand far more from his costly attacking options.
Liverpool began the season as late-goal specialists who seemed destined to keep winning, but now they appear fragile and fatigued.
For the Dutch manager, this has been his toughest week since taking over from Jurgen Klopp and with confidence low, even the much-maligned international break might come as a welcome pause.
