Brentford defeat a new nadir for Liverpool, claims Slot

Arne Slot believes Saturday's 3-2 defeat to Brentford was the most disappointing result Liverpool have suffered during their four-game Premier League losing streak.

Liverpool's title defence is already on the ropes after just nine matches. After starting the season with five straight victories, they have now lost their last four in the competition. 

The Reds lost to Crystal Palace and Chelsea prior to the international break, and they have gone down to Manchester United and Brentford since the hiatus, either side of a dominant 5-1 Champions League win at Eintracht Frankfurt.

Only Leicester City (five in 2016-17), Liverpool themselves in 2020-21 and Manchester City last season have ever lost four straight Premier League matches as reigning champions.

And after watching his team fail to defend a flurry of long Michael Kayode throw-ins and rapid Brentford counter-attacks, Slot said Liverpool were as bad as they had been all season.

"You cannot compare all of them, but the most concerning thing is that you lose four times in a row," he told TNT Sports.

"Afterwards, you can judge the performances and today was the worst, in my opinion. Again, conceding a set-piece and not scoring one makes it hard to win a game of football."

Asked why Saturday's defeat was the most disappointing, Slot added: "We didn't do the basics right in the first half and parts of the second. 

"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, one of them may be a set-piece and a counter-attack is also one of their biggest strengths. That's how we conceded two goals. 

"After going 3-1 down we tried, but if I am completely honest, them scoring at that moment in time was more likely than us making it 3-2."

Liverpool's former title-winning captain Jordan Henderson was an impressive performer in the Brentford midfield, completing more passes (23) than any of his team-mates and winning possession six times.

Asked if it was strange to face the club he called home for 12 years, Henderson told TNT Sports: "I think a little bit, because I'd been at Liverpool for so long. 

"It was my life for 12 years. It was a little bit strange, but having said that, I knew when the whistle went it was business as usual and I was focused and ready to go."

Asked if he could explain his old club's malaise, Henderson said: "They're all quality players. I don't really see a weakness in the team. 

"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 team, and it's a matter of time before they get into a rhythm and get going. It was always going to be difficult, but I thought the lads dug deep, stuck together and caused them some problems on the counter."