Peter Crouch has branded Liverpool’s latest capitulation against PSV Eindhoven as “woeful” and believes there are “deep-rooted problems” at his former club.
The Champions League annihilation was the Reds’ ninth defeat in 12, while the team has now lost three consecutive matches by three goals. The pressure is understandably mounting on Arne Slot, who could find his side in 14th by the time Liverpool kicks off at the London Stadium on Sunday.
Perhaps most alarming is the manner of Liverpool’s abject defeats, which have been riddled by defensive fragilities, an underlying timidity, and an inability to break down structured defenses.
Crouch worries about the habits currently on display from even the most senior squad members.
“Defensively, woeful. It just didn't look like them at all. They weren't getting up to people, there was no tracking back,” the ex-Liverpool striker told Paddy Power.
“[Mohamed] Salah is guilty of that, but I don't think there's anyone in a Liverpool shirt right now who can hold their hands up and say they've been playing well. A real frustration for all Liverpool fans.”
Former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch
Crouch has expressed his concern at the nature of Liverpool's displays (Image: Getty Images)
Crouch is not the only former player to call out Salah in recent weeks. So too as Jamie Carragher, who felt the Egyptian should have fronted up after the latest defeat.
Instead, it was Curtis Jones who spoke to the media in the aftermath of the 4-1 loss at Anfield on Wednesday.
The midfielder and boyhood Red claimed he was “passed being angry” in an X-rated post-match interview.
"I saw Curtis Jones' interview saying it’s the hardest time of his career at the club. You can lose a couple of games, that's bad enough,” said Crouch.
ISTANBUL, TURKEY - SEPTEMBER 30: Curtis Jones of Liverpool speaks to the media following the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between Galatasaray A.S. and Liverpool FC at Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi on September 30, 2025 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Ahmad Mora - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Jones spoke of his frustration in midweek (Image: Getty Images)
“But to lose to them in that manner, I remember playing PSV and they're a decent team, but Liverpool should be putting them away.
“These things can happen but it's happened too regularly and it's clear there is a deep-rooted problem there.”
Liverpool heads to West Ham United this weekend knowing a defeat could prove terminal for Slot’s managerial reign.
Alarmingly, the Hammers have improved of late, picking up seven points its last three matches under Nuno Espirito Santo.
The former Nottingham Forest coach also confirmed in Friday’s press conference that Konstantinos Mavropanos and Crysencio Summerville could be available again following recent injuries.