Liverpool were bullied on and off the ball in their 3-2 defeat to Brentford on Saturday night as their title chances took another huge blow. In nine matches, the Reds have leaked 14 goals and they cannot defend their title with their current form which has seen them drop to 7th place.
Liverpool began the season in fine fashion with five wins in a row in the Premier League, but they have since followed that up with four defeats. Speaking on on the Rest in Football podcast, Shearer singled out two players who he thinks are key to Liverpool’s dire form.
"I think the vast majority of people, the vast majority of pundits - I can't remember any pundits that said Liverpool would have problems defensively.
"But they are so bad all over the pitch. I mean, say what you want about them in midfield and lack of protection up front, the lack of connection between their signings, but defensively, 'Oh my word.' I mean, (Virgil) van Dijk and (Ibrahima) Konate, the two fullbacks, have had a lot of stick and a lot of criticism, and I understand that.
“But the two centre halves, they are all over the place, they've been terrible and they were at Brentford. They were awful, both of them. I mean, Van Dijk and Konate."
Virgil van Dijk has been the Premier League’s best centre-back for the past ten years, but his recent form has been Championship level. Add Konate’s inconsistencies and Liverpool have a recipe for leaking goals under Slot.
Liverpool’s weakness is being preyed upon and Slot must fix his side quick or hand the title to Arsenal who are storming ahead at the top of the table, four points ahead of second place Bournemouth.