Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has criticised Arne Slot for admitting that his Liverpool side can't handle two specific aspects of the game, after his team's 3-2 defeat at Brentford. Speaking post-match, Slot claimed the Reds are yet to find an answer for teams utilising long balls and low blocks.

The Dutchman spoke openly about opponents sitting deep and going direct in the build-up to the fixture at the Gtech Community Stadium, which ended in a fourth successive defeat for the Reds in the Premier League. And Slot's men were punished via the same avenues against the Bees.

Dango Ouattara's opener came following a long throw from Michael Kayode, while Brentford played 64 long passes on the evening, their highest tally of the season so far. "Quite a few things," Slot said in his press conference after the game, when asked what was the cause for Liverpool's recent struggles.