Liverpool were convincingly beaten by Manchester City - and Arne Slot's decision to not bring on Alexander Isak has been slammed.
The Reds suffered another blow to their Premier League title defence with a 3-0 defeat away to rivals Manchester City on Sunday.
How can you!? Alex Crook slams Arne Slot for 'bizarre' decision to not bring on Alexander Isak against Manchester City!
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 9: Alexander Isak of Liverpool during the pre-match warm-up during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on November 9, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images)
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Isak did not play a single minute in the defeat to CityCredit: Getty
Erling Haaland opened the scoring for City before later goals from Nico Gonzalez and Jeremy Doku made it a comfortable victory.
Isak, who has struggled to stay fit since his British record £125million transfer from Newcastle in the summer, was named as a substitute.
And despite trailing by three goals with just under half an hour still to play, Liverpool head coach Slot chose to keep him on the bench.
Cody Gakpo, Milos Kerkez, Curtis Jones, Federico Chiesa and Joe Gomez were all brought on instead.
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It's a decision that left talkSPORT's Alex Crook baffled as the reigning champions suffered their fifth league defeat of the season.
"I find it bizarre, Sam," Crook said live on talkSPORT. "This is the most expensive player in the history of English football.
"Surely he can't be so unfit, Alexander Isak. I know he's just back from injury, but they're chasing a game, Liverpool.
"They've been chasing it basically from the first minute because City have been so dominant and he's not brought him on. I mean, how can you?
"I know he didn't train with Newcastle in the summer, but how as a professional athlete in 2025 can you enable yourself to get so unfit that your manager can't bring you on in a game of this magnitude?"
Liverpool set to lose Premier League crown
Having stormed to the title last season, Liverpool are now all-but out of the title race with just 11 matches played.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 9: Liverpool Manager Arne Slot during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on November 9, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images)
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Slot's decision to not play the £125m man caused confusionCredit: Getty
City ran away with all three points in a deserved win
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City ran away with all three points in a deserved winCredit: AFP
They are eight points off leaders Arsenal and have won just one of their last six Premier League fixtures, with the other five being losses.
Liverpool's five defeats also spells bad news for their title hopes, if there are any remaining after Sunday's result.
The last team to win a Premier League title with five defeats during a season were Manchester United in the 2012/13 campaign.
Liverpool would now have to go unbeaten across their remaining 27 league fixtures to equal this.
But this looks unlikely, with Slot now set to face further questions over their surprise decline this season and a lack of impact from Isak.
What next for Isak?
Across eight appearances for Liverpool, Isak has scored just one goal.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 09: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Alexander Isak of Liverpool looks on prior to the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on November 09, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Isak hasn't played in the Premier League since October 19Credit: Getty
The Swedish striker may have played on 429 minutes of football, but he has still made six starts in all competitions.
Hugo Ekitike, who also signed in the summer for £79million from Eintracht Frankfurt, has been much more successful in front of goal.
He has netted six times in 16 outings, although he hasn't scored since October 22 against his former club in the Champions League.
Isak and Ekitike have only played alongside each other for Liverpool in three matches this season.
The duo would start for any team in the world on paper, but Slot is yet to get the very best out of them at the same time.
Florian Wirtz, the £116.5m arrival, is also without a goal or assist in 11 Premier League appearances for the Reds.
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Premier League table after 11 matches.
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The Premier League title may already be out of reach for Liverpool
Liverpool will now mull over another defeat in the international break and question whether or not back-to-back titles are out of sight.
Nottingham Forest await them on their return at Anfield in what is now the first of many must-win matches.