Liverpool face brutal title reality as Arne Slot statement left looking hollow

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Echo or go back to LFC Live.

Liverpool Echo IconSportFootballLiverpool FCIan Doyle with the main talking point after Liverpool slumped to a miserable Premier League 2-1 reverse at home to Manchester United on Sunday afternoonIan Doyle has covered Liverpool for more than 20 years, following them across Europe in multiple Champions League and Europa League finals and as far afield as Thailand, Singapore, the United States, Hong Kong and Qatar, and has reported on the Reds winning every major honour. Liverpool may well be pondering that question after a worrying run became a full-blown reason for genuine concern.A dismal defeat to Manchester United sent the Reds tumbling to a fourth successive loss for the first time since November 2014.Those were the dark days that signalled the beginning of the end for then-manager Brendan Rodgers, who had been compelled to rebuild his attack following the departure of Luis Suarez and a serious injury for Daniel Sturridge.READ MORE: Why Michael Oliver made controversial decision to allow Man Utd goal against LiverpoolBut while Rodgers was compelled to bring in Rickie Lambert and Mario Balotelli, the latest revamp of the forward line under incumbent Arne Slot saw Liverpool twice break their club record this summer for striker Alexander Isak and attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz while also spending big on Hugo Ekitike.With last season’s Golden Boot winner Mohamed Salah having penned a new deal, those not entirely paying full attention sat back, rubbed their hands together and awaited the goal glut.It hasn’t happened.

And while much will, quite rightly, be made of Liverpool’s ongoing defensive frailties that allowed Harry Maguire to head in a soft late winner, the reality is the Reds shouldn’t have left themselves in such a position having dominated possession and created sufficient opportunities.Cody Gakpo hit the post three times, Isak shot at United goalkeeper Senne Lammens, Ekitike was close with one shot and Salah snatched at a few efforts.And even after Maguire’s goal, Gakpo – who had equalised Bryan Mbeumo’s controversial opener – sent a free header wide when unmarked.There is, of course, the long-established mitigation of adaptation time, particularly for Isak. The Swede, if now fully fit, continues to look a little lost alongside his new colleagues.But if this, as Slot stated beforehand, was the time from when Liverpool’s new-look forward threat should be judged, the early evidence is they are a long, long away from the standard expected.Losing to United at any time is never good for the Reds.

Everything already points to that now being hugely unlikely.Instead, Liverpool should now just concentrate on winning a game.Liverpool sale knocks 50% off kit and merchThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn moreFanatics has slashed the price of Liverpool kits and merch with more than 50% off select items.