Liverpool’s early season optimism has quickly turned to concern after the reigning Premier League champions suffered their third consecutive defeat, this time falling 2-1 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. It marked the first time since 2023 that the Reds have endured such a run, highlighting the mounting challenges facing manager Arne Slot in his debut season at Anfield.
Moises Caicedo opened the scoring for Chelsea with a stunning long-range strike before Cody Gakpo’s second-half equaliser briefly revived Liverpool’s hopes. However, just like their recent loss to Crystal Palace, the Reds were undone in stoppage time as Brazilian youngster Estevao Willian netted a dramatic late winner.
Liverpool began the season in blistering form with seven straight victories in all competitions, but cracks in their performances were already visible. Many of those wins came through late goals, masking underlying issues in balance and cohesion. The team’s sharp decline — including a midweek Champions League loss to Galatasaray — has now exposed those weaknesses.
Slot admitted his side remain a “work in progress,” pointing to the disruption caused by a busy summer transfer window and the emotional toll of Diogo Jota’s tragic passing. The club spent over £400 million to bring in high-profile names like Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, but both have struggled to adapt to the Dutch coach’s system.
“You are never close to your ideal,” Slot noted. “Players came in at different moments and we’ve had little training time. We need to bring them into our style and reach consistency.”
Against a Chelsea side missing several key defenders, Liverpool were expected to dominate but failed to produce a single shot on target until the 51st minute. Despite creating multiple chances in the second half, their finishing once again let them down.
Sweden’s Isak and Egypt’s Mohamed Salah remain out of sync in attack, but Slot believes their partnership will improve with time. Defensive issues also persist, with Ibrahima Konate substituted due to a quad concern.
Liverpool will now use the international break to regroup before hosting Manchester United in what already feels like a crucial match. For Slot, solving Liverpool’s growing list of problems — from shaky build-up play to disjointed chemistry — will be key to reviving their faltering title defence.
