The warning signs that had been visible in recent weeks surfaced again as Liverpool stumbled in Istanbul, repeating many of the same frailties they showed at Selhurst Park. Costly defensive errors, lapses in concentration, and now a worrying injury list – with both Alisson Becker and Hugo Ekitike forced off – compounded an already fragile situation.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher did not hold back in his assessment, insisting the Reds no longer resemble a top side.
"This isn’t football at the top level," he said. "Liverpool are playing end-to-end basketball, and that’s not how elite teams operate. They look disorganized, wide open, and far too easy to play against."

Carragher pointed out that the balance Jurgen Klopp once perfected – and which Arne Slot inherited in his first season – has been lost. The team that looked solid and structured last year now appears scattered, with flashy new signings failing to provide stability.

Record signing Florian Wirtz, in particular, has drawn criticism. The German playmaker is still adapting to the Premier League and Champions League, but Carragher believes his inclusion has disrupted Liverpool’s rhythm.
"He’s just not at the races," Carragher explained. "Wirtz will have a future here, no doubt, but right now Liverpool need to go back to basics. Last season’s formula worked – energy, discipline, compactness. Bring that back, restore some defensive solidity, and confidence will follow."

The statistics support Carragher’s concerns. Liverpool conceded seven big chances against Crystal Palace – more than any other team in a single Premier League game this season – and were outplayed by 10-man Newcastle earlier in the campaign. Such numbers are hardly fitting for defending champions.

Slot’s first year may have been smooth, crowned by a title, but the real test begins now. Liverpool have spent heavily, yet they look weaker in the areas that once defined them. For Carragher, the solution is clear: simplify, stabilize, and stop the chaos.
"It’s not just about losing matches," he concluded. "This decline has been coming since day one of the season. The manager now has to show he can fix it."