The post-mortem has already started following Liverpool's latest disappointing result. This time, it was a comprehensive 4-1 thrashing by Dutch outfit PSV at Anfield. The home side found themselves behind within five minutes when Virgil van Dijk was correctly adjudged to have handled the ball in the area, with Ivan Perisic confidently dispatching the spot-kick.
Dominik Szoboszlai's equaliser 10 minutes afterwards provided a glimmer of optimism that the Reds might recover, but a poor second half saw them ship three more goals before the final whistle. This latest blow extends the Reds' miserable sequence to nine losses in their previous 12 matches across all competitions. Victories have proved elusive since late September.
Wins against Eintracht Frankfurt, Aston Villa and Real Madrid have been completely overshadowed by a heavy defeat away at Manchester City, plus recent Anfield losses to Nottingham Forest and, most recently, PSV. Unsurprisingly, there has been considerable discussion about Arne Slot's position and whether the Dutchman can weather this dreadful spell.
With each successive loss, the speculation grows louder, but several pundits have acknowledged it would be highly uncharacteristic of Liverpool to dismiss a title-winning boss. "Liverpool isn't a sacking club," former Reds defender Jamie Carragher said on CBS Sports.
"They are different from almost every top club in European football where the manager is the king. The managers get time. Liverpool have never sacked a manager who has won the league. I couldn't believe after the weekend [defeat to Forest] people were talking about the manager's job, but it's only going to amplify now.
"I've always been in the camp of you stick by the manager. I'm angry with the players."
Former Liverpool stars Steve McManaman and Steven Gerrard both agreed it remains premature to contemplate dismissing the manager, particularly given his recent Premier League triumph. "I think no," McManaman told TNT Sports.
"I think it's far too early [to sack Slot]. What he's achieved and where he is now this year, that's a good run of fixtures.
"I understand the question completely, but with that run of fixtures, Liverpool still fighting in the Champions League, it's far too early to come up with a question like that. They will have to be knocked out of the Champions League and wallowing at the bottom of the league."
Gerrard added: "That's the world we live in, that's football in the modern day. I've been in that position myself.
"You understand that if you're not getting the results, there are going to be serious questions asked, a stewards' inquiry - that comes with the territory, especially at the top end.
"I agree, Macca. From me and you, because we lived through it and suffered. I've been on both sides. It's going to come."
Stephen Warnock noted that it is disheartening to witness Liverpool's decline this season and cautioned against hasty decisions. However, he also pointed out that the Reds' displays have been deteriorating since the campaign began, even during their narrow victories.
"I don't think there should be a knee-jerk reaction. I think this is a very tough moment at Liverpool for one reason or another, but the one thing I'd say is that things weren't right at the start of the season either, when they were winning," Warnock told BBC Sport.
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy shared the view that it might be premature for a managerial change, though he admitted Slot faces a critically important week with fixtures against West Ham and Sunderland - and his side simply cannot afford further setbacks. "Let's hope we don't have to have that conversation," Murphy explained on talkSPORT.
"I like Slot, especially after meeting him - he's got a bit about him. He's bright, he's warm.
"But it doesn't matter what you've done before or if you're liked. It's irrelevant when you're constantly losing games with Liverpool. So he's got a big, big week ahead of him."