UK media agree on Liverpool chances as 'grim reality' for Arne Slot becomes clear

Liverpool suffered a fourth consecutive Premier League defeat following a 3-2 loss to Brentford on Saturday, and could be 10 points behind Arsenal by the time it kicks off against Aston Villa next weekend.

Just as the Reds appeared to have steadied their campaign with a commanding 5-1 Champions League victory over Eintracht Frankfurt, the title holders endured another costly blow.

Here is how the UK national media rounded up the action at the Brentford Community Stadium, with Arne Slot facing yet more questions as the Liverpool boss attempts to find some lasting solutions to various problems all over the field.

BBC Sport: "An emphatic midweek triumph at Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League ended a sequence of four successive defeats in all competitions for the Reds — but it proved to be a false dawn as the weaknesses that have plagued Arne Slot's side this season surfaced yet again.

"Liverpool were desperately trying to snatch an undeserved point as this game went past the 100-minute mark — but there was to be no late smash and grab for the champions, and they did not deserve one either.

"There was talk they were back on track after thrashing Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 in Germany on Wednesday, but this was a grim reality check from a Brentford side that ran them ragged from the first whistle.

"Liverpool captain Van Dijk was just as unsettled as everyone else by the speed and invention of the home side's play, while Slot's decision to recall the struggling Kerkez for Andrew Robertson may have brought a goal, but yet another disappointing defensive performance from the summer signing.

"Mohamed Salah's late goal — his seventh in eight games against the Bees — disguised another poor display, while £116m Florian Wirtz was so ineffective he was replaced by defender Joe Gomez with seven minutes left and Liverpool 3-1 down."

Daily Mail: "When they were kings, when they were rulers of England and Europe, when they carried all before them, Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah, looked to Jordan Henderson as their leader, the captain who drove them with a relentless hunger that never dimmed.

"Van Dijk and Salah have stayed at Anfield and won fresh honours but on Saturday night, the odyssey on which Henderson embarked two years ago brought him up against the friends and team-mates he won titles with for the first time.

"Henderson's travels have taken him to Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia and to the once mighty Ajax of Amsterdam and there were times before he arrived at Brentford in the summer when people thought his career was fast ebbing away.

"But by the time the final whistle blew at the Gtech Community Stadium, Henderson had confirmed his status as a player reborn and his former team-mates looked like men suddenly lost and adrift in a Liverpool crisis that is gathering pace every week.

"How Liverpool could have done with a player of Henderson's composure and experience and leadership in the heart of their midfield here in west London as they were outplayed and, at times, overwhelmed by Brentford."

The Independent: "Liverpool's Premier League title defence already appears in tatters. Liverpool are now down in sixth, behind Bournemouth, Manchester United and Sunderland among others, and could find themselves seven points adrift of leaders Arsenal by the end of the weekend.

"Slot was well aware of Brentford's threat from long throws, but Liverpool still could not handle them as they fell behind after only five minutes. Michael Kayode's delivery was nodded on by Kristoffer Ajer at the near post and Dango Ouattara got ahead of Milos Kerkez to hook the ball home.

"Salah's first chance arrived courtesy of Cody Gakpo's through-ball, but his touch was heavy and former Reds team-mate Caoimhin Kelleher was out quickly to smother the ball at his feet.

"Florian Wirtz should have scored 20 minutes in after Hugo Ekitike's back-heel ricocheted in front of him, but the German screwed his shot wide from 12 yards. Brentford grew more adventurous and Jordan Henderson, playing against the team he captained to the title for the first time since he left in 2023, almost doubled his current side's lead with a 20-yard drive which flew inches wide."

The Mirror: "When Kevin Schade doubled Brentford's lead, Arsenal fans will have been in dreamland. Not only were they set to stay four points clear of Liverpool, but they would have a chance to turn four into seven with a win on Sunday.

"There will have been some nervy moments for those Gunners watching at home, at least for the half-time break and the start of the second period.

"Igor Thiago's penalty helped calm some of those nerves — right up until Salah set up a grandstand finish by making it 3-2 with timing winding down.

"Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola warned others not to count out Liverpool ahead of this weekend's fixtures. Now, though, it's hard to look past City as the biggest threat to Mikel Arteta's side."

The Times: "Having lost only four of their previous 43 games, Liverpool have now lost four in a row in the Premier League conceding at least two goals in six of their nine matches. It feels like a crisis and it looks like one too.

"There was a marked lack of self-belief out on the pitch whereas Brentford were as determined and audacious as they have ever been in the division. This was no smash and grab. Most that was inventive or athletic came from the home team.

"Liverpool are the team under the spotlight like no other right now with the decisions taken by Arne Slot a source of fascination. For the trip to West London the Liverpool head coach brought Mohamed Salah back into the fold after the Egyptian was dropped for the midweek Champions League game away at Frankfurt. With Alexander Isak injured, it was an easy choice to start Hugo Ekitike up front.

"The game began with a flurry of throw-ins from Michael Kayode. So valuable is his skill that the defender jogs across the pitch to take one no matter how far. It felt inevitable one of them would really annoy the visitors and the one that did was flung 40 metres into the penalty area where it was met by Yehor Yarmoliuk who flicked it on for Dango Outtara's quite lovely hooked volley.

"This came just five minutes into the match and not even the most ardent Brentford fan could have anticipated such a fast return from a well known tactic. But then, Liverpool have been porous this season and slow to wake up and teams are starting to expect joy from being adventurous."