It's officially safe to say that the Reds have lost their way.
Liverpool’s 4–1 Champions League battering at the hands of Dutch side PSV on Wednesday was yet another miserable performance, emblematic of the main issues that have plagued the club all season long.
A calamitous showing from the back line and a glaring lack of attacking creativity from anyone not named Dominik Szoboszlai was to blame once again.
In fact, Szoboszlai was only one of three Reds in the green on SofaScore’s player ratings from the match — and even Gravenberch and Salah’s marks feel quite generous — underscoring just how abysmal a night it was for the team.
Back where he needs to be
The Hungarian, wisely restored to midfield after another stint at right back against Forest, once again proved that playing higher up the pitch is where he belongs, as he scored Liverpool’s lone goal and showed more fight than anyone else in a red shirt on the night.
Granted, he may never score an easier goal — via a rebounded shot that fell perfectly into his path — but his good positioning was rewarded, and seeing his name on the scoresheet was fully deserved.
The No. 8 led the team in shots on target (3), covered ground everywhere in a desperate attempt to pull Liverpool back into the match, and likely should have recorded an assist after Cody Gakpo turned a free header he created wide.
His strong mentality deserves recognition as well. After seeing his World Cup dreams with Hungary collapse in heartbreaking fashion following a late loss to the Republic of Ireland, Szoboszlai clearly put his head down and got straight back to work in England. The same cannot be said for virtually all of his teammates.
When a convincing win against PSV felt like the only antidote to Saturday’s humiliating 3–0 loss to Forest, Liverpool somehow delivered a performance that felt even worse—one that unraveled almost immediately thanks to defensive catastrophes in the opening five minutes.
Virgil van Dijk — once the picture of composure — set the tone for disaster with a baffling handball that gifted Ivan Perišić a penalty and PSV an early 1–0 lead.
To make matters worse, he picked up a needless yellow card in the 17th minute while off the pitch, forcing himself to defend on eggshells for the rest of the night.
VVD's partner was somehow even poorer. Ibrahima Konaté, who has looked mentally checked out since the start of the season, was repeatedly twisted inside out by wave after wave of PSV attacks.
By the 77th minute he was finally hooked, and it felt more like mercy for the fans than for the player.
Additionally, with Arne Slot needing Szoboszlai higher up the pitch with both fullbacks Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley sidelined by injury, Curtis Jones was forced to deputize at right back — and looked completely lost in the role.
It’s a position Szobo has covered with competence before, but Jones struggled badly, only compounding an already disastrous night for the defense.
The attack offered little relief, either. Mo Salah continues to look invisible this season after dismantling defenses last year, and while Gakpo and Hugo Ekitike showed flashes of urgency, the front three never generated enough danger to trouble a PSV side that clearly arrived at Anfield with no fear — fully aware of Liverpool’s fragile form.
I’ve long believed that Dom is a player of immense quality, but I never imagined he would be the only one showing up in games like this.
If Liverpool are to reverse their dreadful run of form—which feels more daunting by the day—Szoboszlai’s teammates should be looking to him for inspiration.