Published: 02:00, 26 October 2025 | Updated: 02:00, 26 October 2025

This could have been the game that got Liverpool back on track in their defence of their Premier League title. Instead, it was the match that almost took it our of their reach.

Arne Slot's side lost just four times as they stormed to the title of champions just five months ago, and they have already hit that number this season. And all four of those defeats have come in a row.

The direct ball that has come to be Slot's nemesis reared its head again just five minutes into the game when Michael Kayode's long throw wasn't dealt with by the Reds, and Dango Ouattara opened the scoring.

Kevin Schade and Igor Thiago also scored before the hour, and strikes from Milos Kerkez and Mohamed Salah weren't enough for Liverpool to take anything back to Merseyside.

While the Reds are now stuck in a crisis, meanwhile, the Bees are looking up under Keith Andrews, having now hit their stride under their former set piece coach.

Daily Mail Sport's LEWIS STEELE was at...