As Liverpool's slide continues, Man United finally finds its rhythm

LONDON — Liverpool manager Arne Slot said opponents have identified a winning strategy against his Premier League champion and he needs to find a solution fast, after a 3-2 defeat at Brentford on Saturday made it four league losses in a row.

Its title defense had begun well, but defeats at Crystal Palace, Chelsea and Brentford, as well as last week's 2-1 home defeat to Manchester United, have knocked the Dutchman's side off the rails.

Slot said the loss at Brentford was arguably the worst performance in Liverpool's slump, as the Reds were deservedly beaten by a side that ruthlessly exploited their fragility.

"I've said this many times already, that teams have a certain playing style against us, which is a very good strategy to play, and we haven't found an answer yet," Slot told reporters.

"Also going 1-0 down after five minutes doesn't really help either. But, even today, when we don't play well, we're able to score two goals and create more chances from open play."

Liverpool has conceded early goals in each of its four Premier League defeats, and went behind at Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League on Wednesday before storming back to win 5-1.

The way it conceded the first goal to Brentford after five minutes was especially frustrating for Slot, who said his side had spent Friday preparing for Brentford's long throws.

It could not deal with Michael Kayode's delivery, however, and when Kristoffer Ajer flicked the ball on, Dango Ouattara reacted superbly to hook his volley past Giorgi Mamardashvili.

"They won more duels than us, they won more second balls than us, and, if you come here and you know if you are going to concede goals, then one of them may be a set-piece, The counterattack is also one of their biggest strengths, and that's how we conceded two goals," Slot said.

Liverpool has lost four of its opening nine games, as many as it did in the whole of last season.

"If you change quite a lot during the summer, then I think it's not a surprise that it can go a bit like this, but I didn't expect it to go with four losses in a row," Slot said.

"It's always a bit of a bumpy road, but four losses in a row? We've also played five of the last six games away from home, which is not helpful when we are in the run of form we are."

Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, impressive once again for Brentford in midfield, said he expected his old club to pull out of its slump.

"I know there's been results of late that haven't been great for them, but, for me, they're still top players and a top, top team. It's a matter of time before they get in a rhythm and get going," he said.

Positive signs for Amorim

The crisis is over for Manchester United. For now, at least.

United is heading in the opposite direction to Liverpool, with a 4-2 win against Brighton moving Ruben Amorim's team up to the heady heights of the top five.

A third straight win for United extended Amorim's best league run since he was appointed as coach last November, and provided a sense of momentum not felt for a long time at Old Trafford.

"I think we are improving in the bad moments," he said. "We can respond in a different way, and we feel that we can solve anything. It's so hard, and in football, everything can change in one week, so let's enjoy today and focus on the next one."

It was the first time United had won three league games in a row in the same season since February 2024.

Victory also ended Brighton's winning streak in this fixture, which dated back three seasons.

It is still too early to tell if Amorim has turned a corner after such a wretched start to his tenure, including the 20-time champion's worst-ever season in the Premier League last term.

But, coming on the heels of last week's morale-boosting win at Liverpool, the signs are positive, even if Brighton sparked a fightback to make it a nervy finish for the home fans.

A prime source of encouragement for Amorim is the manner in which his summer signings have added a new dimension.

Brazil forward Matheus Cunha scored his first goal for the club with a curling shot from outside the area to give United a 24th-minute lead.

Another new signing, Bryan Mbeumo, also got on the scoresheet, scoring twice in the second half, making it three in his last two games, after Casemiro had doubled the lead with a deflected effort before the break.

"The money was well invested," Brighton coach Fabian Hurzeler said.

Meanwhile, Sunderland continues to provide the season's most unexpected narrative after a stunning comeback to win 2-1 at Chelsea saw it climb to second.

Agencies