Steven Gerrard is right about latest Liverpool problem and Arne Slot needs major change

Liverpool fell to its 10th defeat of the Premier League season with Danny Welbeck scoring twice, handing Arne Slot another headache in the race for the Champions League places

Steven Gerrard and Arne Slot.(Image: Getty Images)

Defensively capable of making a mistake at any moment and offensively lacking drive and ideas, this was another disappointing outing for Arne Slot's team — a "bad cocktail," to borrow a phrase from the Reds boss.

Giorgi Mamardashvili's lack of sharpness can be explained away by his lack of minutes — he has played a lot more than most second-choice goalkeepers this season, but nowhere near to the same extent as Alisson Becker — but for others, there was less in the way of mitigation.

Ibrahima Konate has a tendency to have games like these, while Jeremie Frimpong was important in allowing Dominik Szoboszlai to stay in midfield, but well below-par individually. They were the worst, but across the board, Liverpool didn't show enough fight or quality.

"It doesn't help when you are missing one of the top goal scorers this league has had in the last five years for the whole season already," Slot said, referring to the absent Alexander Isak.

"The other one that has scored so many goals for the club over the last eight years (Mohamed Salah) was not available as well and then after two minutes, Hugo Ekitike.

"He has shown what a goal scorer he is, has to go out as well — that is a lot for every team and that is not helpful for any team, let alone if you play a good Brighton team."

Liverpool's Dutch manager Arne Slot gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Liverpool at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on March 21, 2026. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /

That, of course, is true, and Steven Gerrard said similar, describing the loss of Ekitike as a major blow to Liverpool's chances of getting something because of the blatant lack of pace that was present without him there.

But at some point, with time fast running out, Liverpool needs to stop finding reasons for dropping points and start putting them on the board.

Everton may have done it a favor by beating Chelsea at the Hill Dickinson Stadium and Manchester United didn't win, but if Liverpool can't start to pick up a few more victories, though, it will struggle to cement its spot regardless.

If Liverpool is to qualify for the Champions League next season, it will be as much down to the limitations of those around it than anything else. At the moment, it is a battle of who can be the least worst.

Though Liverpool is now up to double figures in terms of defeats, the Reds are still sitting fifth.

Even more remarkable than the sheer number of losses that they are experiencing is that Slot's men, somehow, remain in a decent position to achieve their minimum aim.

Last season, Newcastle qualified for the Champions League with 12 defeats, finishing level with Aston Villa, who missed out and had 10. With seven games remaining, though, it would be a surprise if Liverpool went unbeaten from here.

It will be near-impossible to win the Champions League and the FA Cup draw was not kind, but if Liverpool can get itself back into Europe's top competition next year, it can draw a line when the summer comes and reset.

After a positive win midweek in Europe, that scenario feels as far away as ever again, but that has been the story of the season. If the campaign ended today, it would, somehow, be enough, but the reality is that if many more points will mean the Champions League slipping away — and few at Liverpool could complain of that being unjust.