Arne Slot admitted that Saturday’s defeat to Brentford was “up there” as perhaps the most disappointed he has been in his time as Liverpool manager, and acknowledged that opponents seem to have worked out how to play against them.

“Teams have a certain playing style against us, which is a very good strategy to play,” said Slot, “and we haven’t found an answer yet, and that every time going 1-0 down doesn’t really help as well.”

After last week’s defeat to Manchester United, Slot seemed mildly outraged that Ruben Amorim’s side had been so direct. This Saturday, there was a marked change of tone but the problem was the same. “They’re a very good team in winning duels and second balls,” he said, “and you have to give them credit for that. It’s also difficult to win a game of football if the set-piece balance is in their favour.”

Brentford’s opening goal stemmed from a long throw from Michael Kayode, an increasingly familiar weapon. Long thows, Slot said, were “the only thing we did yesterday on the training pitch, preparing for that. And the meeting today. Brentford are also known...