PSV Humble Liverpool 4–1 at Anfield as Slot’s Crisis Spirals
Liverpool’s season plunged into deeper chaos after a ruthless PSV side stormed Anfield and left with a commanding 4–1 victory. Despite dominating possession and chances, the Reds collapsed under pressure once again, raising fresh questions over Arne Slot’s leadership.
Arne Slot’s troubles at Liverpool reached a new and worrying depth on a freezing Anfield night, as PSV produced a clinical, chaotic and utterly convincing 4–1 victory that left home supporters stunned and furious in equal measure. It was the kind of collapse that doesn’t just sting—it exposes cracks in a season rapidly falling apart.
Liverpool, for all their possession and chance creation, were carved open repeatedly in a second half that will be replayed endlessly in Dutch football folklore. PSV, brimming with energy and ruthlessness, punished every mistake with chilling precision.
Ivan Perisic set the tone early. When Virgil van Dijk handled a corner with an arm raised inexplicably high, the Croatian stepped up in the sixth minute and stroked the penalty into the bottom corner with veteran calm. Slot’s side had once again sabotaged themselves before the contest had even settled.
To their credit, Liverpool responded. Cody Gakpo forced Kovar into a save, and Dominik Szoboszlai alert and hungry finished the rebound to level matters in the 16th minute. Anfield roared, believing the champions had finally switched on. Possession swung their way, shots flowed, and Van Dijk rattled the crossbar as PSV clung on desperately.
But that’s where Liverpool’s good moments ended. What came next was a second-half collapse dripping with panic, poor decision-making, and growing resignation.
PSV sprang to life in the 56th minute through a move carved straight from training ground dreams. Mauro Junior weaved forward, spotted Guus Til’s perfectly timed run, and threaded a delightful pass behind Liverpool’s back line. Til needed no second invitation lifting a smooth dink over Mamardashvili to restore PSV’s lead and silence Anfield.
From there, it became a nightmare.
Konate’s careless touch in the 73rd minute gifted PSV a breakaway. Pepi’s strike thudded off the post, but substitute Couhaib Driouech followed in ruthlessly, smashing home the rebound to make it 3–1. Slot stood motionless on the touchline hands on head, disbelief etched across his face as his side disintegrated yet again.
The fourth came deep into stoppage time, and it summed Liverpool’s evening perfectly. Sergino Dest burst forward unchecked, surged into the box, and squared for Driouech. The winger’s finish, low into the corner, crowned a stunning PSV performance and underlined just how far Liverpool have fallen from their lofty standards.
The defeat drops Liverpool to 13th in the Champions League standings, while PSV surge upward to 15th. More importantly, the pressure on Slot now feels suffocating. Seven losses in their last ten matches across all competitions paint a picture of a team spiralling with no clear route to stability.
The fixtures ahead do little to ease nerves. Liverpool travel to London to face West Ham later this week a match that suddenly feels season-defining. PSV, riding an 11-game unbeaten streak, return home with confidence to spare as they welcome Volendam in the Eredivisie.
Another bruising night. Another grim chapter in a season threatening to unravel completely.
