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Liverpool defender Milos Kerkez is facing criticism for his role in PSV Eindhoven's second goal in the Dutch side's 4-1 win over Liverpool on Wednesday.
The Reds succumbed to a ninth defeat in 12 games at Anfield, despite a first half in which they were largely the better team.
PSV took the lead through an early Ivan Perisic penalty after a brainless handball from Virgil van Dijk in the box, before equalizing through Dominik Szoboszlai after 15 minutes.
Liverpool was the better team from that point until PSV restored its lead through Guus Til, and it was Kerkez's defending for that goal — and it drew criticism from former Liverpool duo Steven Gerrard and Steve McManaman.
Kerkez was caught on the wrong side of Til as the PSV star latched onto a through ball from Mauro Junior before prodding the ball past Giorgi Mamardashvili, who started in the absence of the poorly Alisson.
Left-back Kerkez was also caught up the pitch for PSV's fourth goal, scored by Couhaib Driouech, and the Hungarian copped for criticism for that goal from Gerrard.
"Kerkez is out of position for the majority of the game," Gerrard said. "It is criminal to be on that side of the attacker. You have to be on the inside. Kerkez gives himself no chance to get a challenge in. He is out of position for the fourth goal too."
McManaman added: "Kerkez doesn't do anything to influence the [second] goal. He isn't in position, he doesn't play him (Til) offside, he runs with him but doesn't get a tackle in. He may as well have been free! Kerkez just gets close but close isn't enough."
Arne Slot is under increasing pressure from supporters after a horrendous run of results, but Gerrard stopped short of saying Liverpool is in crisis.
"With each defeat it gets closer to being a crisis," Gerrard said. "Liverpool still have magnificent players, this squad won the league. There is no excuses for a performance like that at this football club.
"You cannot deny the team is struggling massively, they are on a terrible run, their confidence is at an all-time low, they are wide open.
"Unless the manager can find answers and stability in his team, then this situation is going to continue."
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