Steven Gerrard was blunt in his reaction to the Reds’ loss against PSV, naming a defence that he thinks “never will be” a Liverpool back four.
Among the criticisms levelled at Arne Slot this season has been his changes in defence as games have progressed.
Injuries to Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong, along with Joe Gomez‘s fitness issues, have left the head coach with a lack of options.
Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate started the match, with Curtis Jones filling in at right-back and Milos Kerkez playing on the left.
However, with Liverpool trailing, the boss substituted Konate for Federico Chiesa and moved Ryan Gravenberch into defence.
No centre-back has been subbed off more in the Premier League this season (five) than Konate – only Man United‘s Leny Yoro can match that figure.
This left the Reds with a makeshift backline that Gerrard said was “not a Liverpool back four” on TNT Sports.
“The substitution of Konate was huge, that sends a story,” the former Liverpool captain claimed.
“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.”
Analysing PSV’s second goal, Kerkez came in for particular criticism as he let his man, Guus Til, get across him to score.
First, Mauro Junior breezed past Mo Salah on Liverpool’s right as the Egyptian jumped in and showed the midfielder down the line.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, November 26, 2025: Liverpool's Milos Kerkez during the UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool FC and PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“It doesn’t matter whether it’s Mo Salah or anyone, you can’t get beat in a dribble in a one-vs-one across the pitch, especially in this situation,” commented Gerrard.
As Junior drove into the Liverpool final third, Kerkez was on the outside of his man, Til, while the PSV top scorer drifted onto the Hungarian’s inside.
Gerrard added: “He’s out of position for the majority of the game. It’s criminal to be on that side of the attacker; you have to be on the inside.”
“Anfield tells a story,” says Steven Gerrard
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, November 26, 2025: Liverpool supporters look dejected after the UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool FC and PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
While Liverpool made individual mistakes in key moments, there was a general absence of belief in the second period once the visitors had retaken the lead.
Gerrard continued: “It’s not [acceptable], they’re conceding too many goals, they’re wide open, they’re vulnerable and unstable.
“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.”
Steven Gerrard wouldn’t say Liverpool are in ‘crisis’
The former No. 8 stopped short of calling Liverpool’s run of form a crisis, however.
“Each defeat, especially in the manner of the defeat, you become closer to the crisis,” he said.
“I don’t like using that word because to me a crisis is a club that needs years to get back to the top. I don’t think Liverpool are at that point at all.
“They’ve still got magnificent players. This is a squad, or majority of a squad, that won the league four months ago, so I think ‘crisis’ is still strong.”
Pressed further on whether you could define this as a crisis after nine defeats in 12, Gerrard stuck to his guns, adding: “That’s not good enough.
“There are no excuses for that at this football club – I think everyone knows that- but crisis is a very strong word and disrespectful to some of the players that have delivered for this football club, and for the manager that delivered three months ago.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, November 26, 2025: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk reacts to conceeding their side's fourth goal during the UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool FC and PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“If this were six months down the line, a year down the line, and we’re further away from that success, then maybe you could use a word like that.
“I wouldn’t use that word just yet but you can’t deny that this team is struggling massively. They’re on a terrible run. Confidence is at an all-time low and they just keep bleeding, they keep conceding goals.
“They’re wide open and unless the manager can find answers and stability in the team, it’s going to continue.”