The recent sight of Mohamed Salah, typically 'The Egyptian King' revered for his match-saving magic, trudging off the pitch as Liverpool desperately sought an equaliser against Manchester United, served as a stark and ominous symbol of the club's escalating struggles. This moment, occurring just after Harry Maguire headed in what proved to be Manchester United's 84th-minute winner in a 2-1 triumph – their first at Anfield in over a decade – highlighted the depth of Liverpool's current crisis.

This defeat marked Liverpool’s fourth successive loss, a sequence not witnessed since 2014 under Brendan Rodgers. What initially might have been dismissed as a temporary blip has now evolved into a more profound concern, especially when measured against the sky-high standards established under head coach Arne Slot during his triumphant first title-winning season. Slot himself acknowledged the gravity of the situation, telling Match of the Day, "If you lose four times in a row, you need to be concerned. We know how it works in football. If we keep bringing in these performances we will have a fair chance of winning more football games. Losing four times in a row definitely does something with the team." The stakes are set to rise further, as a fifth consecutive loss against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League on Wednesday would be a historical low, a fate Liverpool has not suffered since September 1953.

Mohamed Salah's substitution, with Liverpool still pushing for a point, underscored the 33-year-old's apparent dip in form and confidence. His unconvincing slash at a golden opportunity during the match further extended his run without a non-penalty goal to seven games. This recent form has seen him left out of crucial matches, including the Champions League defeat by Galatasaray in Istanbul, indicating a significant concern for a player who has been the spearhead of all Liverpool's recent successes.

Against Manchester United, Liverpool faced moments of ill-luck, with Cody Gakpo notably striking the woodwork three times before eventually scoring the equaliser in the 78th minute. However, these flashes of promise were overshadowed by ponderous build-up play and a discernible shortage of ideas to break down United's unyielding defence. This tactical frustration was palpable, leading to occasions where even their own supporters voiced discontent, reflecting a growing unease surrounding the team's direction and performance during this challenging period.