Overview
- A 3-2 defeat at Brentford made it four straight Premier League losses and five defeats in six across all competitions, leaving the champions seventh.
- Wayne Rooney criticised Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk’s leadership and body language, while Alan Shearer condemned the Van Dijk–Ibrahima Konate partnership.
- Analysis highlights defensive frailties at full-back with Jeremie Frimpong’s fitness issues and Milos Kerkez’s form, plus recurring problems defending set pieces and conceding first.
- Former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson urged sporting director Richard Hughes to move for Marc Guehi after a failed deadline‑day pursuit, with reports pointing to January as a potential opportunity despite pre‑contract options next summer.
- Injury strain is driving rotation, with talkSPORT reporting Arne Slot is likely to hand a debut to goalkeeper Freddie Woodman against Crystal Palace and consider recalling Calvin Ramsay, as Alisson Becker and others remain out.