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Arne Slot has been cautioned that Liverpool players have violated a fundamental rule by never suffering consecutive defeats.
The Dutchman flourished during his inaugural campaign at Anfield, claiming the Premier League crown last season. Nevertheless, the 2025-26 season has presented an entirely different scenario, with the Reds losing six of their last seven games in all competitions.
Currently, Slot's players find themselves languishing in seventh place in the Premier League table following four straight defeats against Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Brentford. Liverpool was also knocked out of the Carabao Cup in midweek, as Crystal Palace won 3-0 at Anfield.
According to Arsenal legend Nigel Winterburn, Liverpool's players may now be questioning themselves at a crucial moment when unity is essential for recovery.
Speaking to Mirror Football via Casino.org, Winterburn commented: "I think you'll find managers have got a belief in what they do, the way they want to play. We've seen that with [Ruben] Amorim at Man United.
"Slot's come off the back of winning a title with Liverpool, so I think people would say he deserves a lot of credit.
"I don't know. They brought some players in, and you would think should really, really strengthen the team. But it's as open, I think, as I've seen Liverpool for a long, long time.
"They look like they can concede goals, which I always think of Liverpool as quick, fast attacking, but fairly secure defensively, and they just seem to be way too open at the back now. I don't know whether that's a slight change in style of play.
"Obviously, [Andy] Robertson's come out of the team, and then also Trent Alexander-Arnold has moved on, and then they've brought in a couple of other players. It just feels as if things are not clicking and there's a little bit of nervousness now around.
"Shouldn't need me to tell you when players lose confidence, it disappears pretty quickly and it's hard to get back."
Winterburn also highlighted that Liverpool has neglected to follow a golden rule that he would consistently emphasize to players and squads.
He added: "That's why I always say to people, 'It's never okay to lose a game, but everybody loses a game. But what you don't want to do is lose a second game, and then the third game, and then the fourth game' - because that drains the confidence of the players, as good as they are."
Liverpool now faces the challenging fixture of welcoming Aston Villa to Anfield on Saturday in the Premier League before entertaining Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday.
The Reds then return to league duties on Sunday, November 9, when they travel to the Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City.
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