Liverpool succumbed to yet another deserved defeat, their seventh in the last 10, and the title defence has been deemed over as Arne Slot‘s side were bullied once more.
After two mood-lifting Anfield victories, the trip to Man City offered the opportunity to move second in the Premier League table – but the lack of physicality made sure that was never in the cards.
Slot’s side were outfought and outclassed by Pep Guardiola’s men; that they had their first and only shot on target in the 76th minute underlined the lack of quality.
A controversial offside denied Virgil van Dijk a timely equaliser, but that was ultimately redundant as City bullied Liverpool on and off the ball.
It left supporters accepting that the title defence is over, with faith in Liverpool’s ability to put a consistent run of results together all but gone after another abject showing…
As for Liverpool’s performance – it’s everything Wednesday wasn’t. There’s no intensity, no energy and desperately lacking any quality both on and off the ball. Just letting the game happen to them. Awful and abject.
— Leanne Prescott (@_lfcleanne) November 9, 2025
We look like a team that has played the same XI in three games on the bounce.
— Sam McGuire (@SamMcGuire90) November 9, 2025
Saw a lot of talk about Liverpool getting themselves into the title race by winning today but the fact is this team just isn’t close to good enough. Issues with build-up, physical duels, and pressing all on show today, and now an eight-point gap to the summit. Title defence over.
— David Lynch (@davidlynchlfc) November 9, 2025
Top management isn’t only about tactics and selections. It’s about motivation, inspiration, man-management to get players to play their best.
There wasn’t much wrong with the starting XI. The same XI outplayed Madrid. But the players seemed to be playing with nerves.
— Red (@TaintlessRed) November 9, 2025
We are far too negative these days. When we play front foot we look like our old selves. Then we drop off, allow opponents to dictate the game and pass the ball sideways and never forward. Dreadful.
— Alan Gould (@alanjgould) November 9, 2025
“Shocking decisions, yes, but no excuse!
Abysmal performance, no hunger, focus, seriousness no desire all which could be pointed down to the coaching influence and some players attitude in recent times.” – Emmatoins in TIA comments.
“How on earth we put in that performance after Madrid? City totally deserved the win despite van Dijk’s goal wrongfully disallowed. We had 5 days rest and very little travel time. No excuses for the level of performance. Slot needs to own it.” – Lamda Pi in TIA comments.
Another miserable performance to add to a growing list for Liverpool over the past 12 months. They too often look either tired, lost or simply disinterested.
— The Tactical Times (@Tactical_Times) November 9, 2025
As much as half of these players haven’t been worth a carrot this season.. why is Slot setting us up like we are a League 1 team playing one of the big boys with everyone behind the ball in that 1st half? We’ve worried far more about them than focusing on ourselves. Shite.
— LB (@LBLFC_) November 9, 2025
Can imagine people will be going for Slot’s head tonight, but I don’t think you can put the blame solely or mainly on him today
He played the team everyone wanted to see, those players just haven’t wanted it today, made too many silly individual errors, and lacked fight
— Tom Little (@TomL1ttle_) November 9, 2025
Outclassed by City. This is not a bad Liverpool side (I’ve seen plenty of those) but it is playing well below its means.
Does Slot have what it takes to turn things around? Run of games after int’l break will give him an opportunity. He needs an improvement.
— Paul Grech (@paul_grech) November 9, 2025
Just felt like Liverpool didn’t fancy it today, having been given a glimmer by Arsenal yesterday.
Think that sums up why they won’t be retaining their title this season.
A lifeless performance that I can’t really explain. They look tired and lost time and time again.
— Henry Jackson (@HenryJackson87) November 9, 2025
Second title in a row seems impossible for any Liverpool team. Motivating a team to defend their championship is very different to getting them to win their first and most of the team look like they couldn’t give a fuck
— Jack Moore (@Jack_Moore7) November 9, 2025
We are absolutely shite, just come and be physical lads and bully us. It’s an easy win
— Chloe bloxam (@ChloeBloxam) November 9, 2025
Let’s not get it twisted, we’ve been awful and don’t deserve anything from the game. But both their goals have had an element of luck & the decision to rule out the equaliser is a joke. It’s fine margins at this level.
Hopefully we can go on a run after the international break.
— Biggies Malls 2.0 (@Biggies_MaIIs) November 9, 2025
If you were looking for any positive, it was Szoboszlai (again)
When Liverpool have been good, Dominik Szoboszlai is the golden thread. When they’re bad, he still is a cut above; trying everything, covering everywhere. Special player, special attitude.
— Melissa Reddy (@MelissaReddy_) November 9, 2025
Every week its the same thing, Szoboszlai gives his all and the rest look levels below him
— Connor (@Connor_LFC8) November 9, 2025
Szoboszlai the only Liverpool player that has put in a shift imo
— Sara ? (@saraxafc) November 9, 2025
Szoboszlai is single handedly trying to save our season
— Sebastian ‘Tino’ (@TinoKillingbeck) November 9, 2025
Yet another international break comes off the back of a disappointing performance and result, with more questions to be asked of Slot despite what appeared to be the start of a turnaround.
The same issues continue to plague Liverpool and although the disallowed equaliser was unjust, Slot’s side did not deserve to return to Merseyside with points.
Back to the drawing board…again.