Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has criticized the club's defensive setup following their 4-1 loss to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.
Gerrard stated that the final back four, which included Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch alongside Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez, will "never be" a working Liverpool backline. The Reds have suffered nine defeats in their last 12 games across all competitions, with each of their last three losses being by a three-goal margin.
The situation is becoming increasingly dire for manager Arne Slot, as they face a potential crisis with their Premier League defence in shambles and Champions League knockout stage qualification hanging in the balance following Wednesday's awful defeat.
Trailing by two goals, Slot substituted Ibrahima Konate for Federico Chiesa, resulting in Gravenberch dropping into the defense and Jones shifting to right-back to allow Dominik Szoboszlai to push up the pitch.
"The substitution of Konate was huge, that sends a story," Gerrard said. "You look at the back four that you finish with: Curtis Jones, Gravenberch, Van Dijk, and Kerkez. That's not a Liverpool back four, never will be."
Following their disappointing performance against Forest on Saturday, Liverpool desperately needed a response, but found itself facing an uphill battle after just five minutes when Van Dijk gave a penalty away for a handball.
Ivan Perisic converted from the spot, sending Giorgi Mamardashvili the wrong way to give the visitors the lead.
A dejected Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool walks off at full time during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between Liverpool FC and PSV Eindhoven at Anfield on November 26, 2025 in Liverpool, England
Ibrahima Koante was subbed off with Liverpool trailing 3-1
The Reds responded through Szoboszlai 10 minutes later, converting the rebound after Cody Gakpo's initial attempt was kept out.
Liverpool appeared stronger after the break and created opportunities to take the lead for the first time in the match.
However, two defensive errors allowed Peter Bosz's team to capitalise. Guus Til found space ahead of Milos Kerkez to score before Ibrahima Konate's momentary loss of concentration enabled Couhaib Driouech to find the net.
The Moroccan winger claimed his first goal of the evening just four minutes after coming on for Perisic. In added time, he struck decisively to seal the victory for the Dutch outfit and pile enormous pressure on the Liverpool manager.
"No it's not [acceptable], they're conceding too many goals, they're wide open, they're vulnerable and unstable," Gerrard said.
"Anfield tells a story, the seats are empty, PSV were excellent, comfortable here tonight and deserve the victory.
"Liverpool's problems become deeper, pressure intensifies even more and there needs to be soul searching for sure."