Liverpool’s latest Premier League defeat has prompted one of the country’s leading journalists to speak out against what she’s called an “unwarranted level of disrespect” towards both Mo Salah and Arne Slot.
The Reds’ 3–2 loss to Brentford marked a fourth straight league defeat for the reigning champions, our longest losing run since February 2021.
But for Melissa Reddy, the conversation around our current form has gone too far.
Melissa Reddy defends Salah and Arne Slot after Liverpool’s poor run
Taking to X after the final whistle, Reddy wrote that “Liverpool are stuck in horrid trends,” referencing issues out of possession, conceding early and struggling with set pieces.
Yet she insisted there’s “too much talent and mental fortitude” in this side for things not to improve.
The journalist added: “It’s beyond bad right now, but there is an unwarranted level of disrespect — aimed at Mo Salah and Arne Slot in particular — plus a rash writing off of signings already.”
Reddy urged for “patience, perspective and grace” as the club continues to navigate what she described as a “tricky transition,” referencing the emotional toll of the summer tragedy that saw Diogo Jota lose his life.
Joe Cole discussed his thought, that too much change had taken place too quickly, though the former Sky Sports employee is asking for time.
Liverpool’s problems and the lessons from Klopp’s era
Reddy compared the situation to when Jurgen Klopp once warned of a “self-fulfilling prophecy” – a period when players seemed to fear set pieces and second balls before they’d even been conceded.
Her words hit home for supporters who’ve seen similar frailties resurface this season.
Arne Slot himself has said that teams have found a way to punish his side, now he and the rest of his coaching staff need to find a way to stop conceding so many goals.
We’ve already conceded first in six straight games, despite continuing an impressive run of scoring in 43 consecutive Premier League matches.
But as Reddy put it, honesty about flaws is one thing – writing off a group that won the league just months ago is another.
You can view Reddy’s comments on Liverpool via her X account:
Liverpool are stuck in horrid trends (defective out of possession, conceding early, struggling with setpieces, second-best in duels and just not at it physically in general, inability to effectively build up etc) and they don’t yet look like a collective, but there’s surely too…
— Melissa Reddy (@MelissaReddy_) October 25, 2025
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Reality is LFC is losing games they shouldn’t!! It points first and foremost to a coaching failure or misfiring, secondly, player under performance and or misfiring this season. Liverpol needs a bigger pool of players, or more quality players for rotational play. This is why I fully support the player acquisition drive that FSG has undertaken, right move!! They also need a coach who can quickly integrate the players he has into a cohesive winning unit…Slot has not done that this season, which he should have done by now following last season’s championship winning mentality, run and drive under his management!! He owes Liverpool the retention of the EPL title given the players the club has acquired.
I disagree Oubs, you’re sounding like the bullies Redmist21 and StewBrooken now, as well as contradicting yourself.
You were doing OK until “Liverpool needs “.
Arne has run a rotation. Injuries and fatigue have hampered it somewhat, but there won’t be any new signings until January at the earliest, and then more likely next summer.
Melissa is right, she is just putting it a little more diplomatically than I would in the hope that it’ll get through to a few more aren’t getting what’s going on) that will feel ashamed at a later date (unless they ain’t genuine Reds fans, of course).
Again, too much political play beyond LFC’s control is affecting our game.
Well, Mo is a legend and full respect to him but don’t forget he negotiated new lucrative contract and is the highest paid LFC player. It’s him that we expect the most. As far as Arne Slot is concerned he had enough time to build a new solid team. He’s got a new group of really good talented players that performed perfectly in their previous clubs. No more excuses for Arne Slot.
It’s a little naive to believe Mo’ is paid top dollar just for his football skills, Martin.
Look at the difference in attitude from LFC fans from when a very small number of bigots got the hump over some Muslim fans laying down their prayer mats to observe their faith (and pray for divine help for us -all gratefully accepted), to take the lead and get the ball rolling for better behaviour from fans in general.
Mo’ was essential in that.
Then there’s the bigger picture outside of football and in society in general.
Mo is also an Egyptian ambassador and export. He helps build hospital, schools and other good causes in his home country.
Playing for LFC raises our profile in that part of the world.
That level of political power doesn’t come with every top player.
He’s worth every penny, even when he’s having a dip in form.
Other top earners also get paid for their off-the-pitch work.
When he leaves, he’ll go with our love and gratitude and the principles of Liverpool Football Club to promote in everything he does in the future.
We have 3 strikers in my opinion – Wirtz, Isak ans Salah – and none of them should be on the pitch at the same time because none of them can defend properly. It’s not their game; this is Slot’s issue to resolve immediately. As it stands we have lost the league already. We need to put the best players who can defend and go forward behind these 3 strikers, otherwise there’s too many gaps being taken advantage of by other teams and our defenders are scrambling too much to try cover things up. It’s not fair on the players and the fans and could be looked at as an insult to other teams.
Salah needs to accept he can’t defend like he used to and that’s fine. I think the fans could accept that; what they won’t accept is Salah, Wirtz and Isak not defending all at the same time and that leads to making other players scrambling all over the pitch and in the end not defending.
It’s a no-brainer. Slot needs to swallow his pride on this one. It’s not FIFA, it’s reality, I’m afraid to say. He’s using the players and squad the wrong way and that;s my opinion on it. This is why fans are getting upset because they can see it too. Everyone can’t be wrong, Slot learning to listen can be hard. If Salah isn;t realistic enough to accept his lack of defensive capability is leaving us exposed, then he’s being untrue to himself and the team. The manager should ɓe the manager and step up and put this right. With anyone in team, if they want to leave that’s fine. Good luck to them.
If we start our next game with Wirtz, Isak and Salah on the pitch at same time or even 2 of them, then Slot is not listening and not doing what’s best for the team and the players
Wirtz upfront with Gakpo left, Ekitike right and the best players we have behind them who can defend where it’s needed and attack to keep tĥose 3 going foward and those 3 must defend when possible. Wirtz is like Firminio, a stylish player who needs to get to grips with doing a defensive job also. We are being pulled from pillar to post and its disheartening the players, Mr Slot
Not a very readable style, Karen.
Poorly expressed in substance too, Ja.
There is no time to explain substance and common sense. Since the PSG game last year when Liverpool were exposed badly by the same tactics and continued to try play the same since then… where’s the substance in that??
If you need that broken down further for you, you need to start actually thinking about your actual response. Common sense, don’t complicate it – that’s the whole problem here
You’re not making any sense, or creating substance, Jk.
No time ? We have all the time in the world.
You’re too nebulous, that’s what’s complicating it.
Jk, your last two posts did make more sense than the post you sent under the karen6 e-mail address though, but under that premise, this whole thread maked no sense.
It’s a wee bit careless to give away one’s e-mail address on these forums, Jk.
Not everyone is as nice and diplomatic on these forums as us genuine LFC fans.
You sound very much from your tone as if you’re after Arne’s job, Karen.
Ordering “Arne to swallow his pride” ?
Do you know the facts as FSG and he does ?
My comments are a suggestion ,, so Arne could perhaps keep his job ,, pointless waisting time I’m sure you would agree ,, this is not about me or you or Arne it’s about the team
….and yet your whole tone says otherwaise.
The backtracking discredits the initial post..
Read you first post again. It comes across as a rant, an ill-informed one at that.
Just an opinion.
Have faith FSG and Arne know the issues, Jk.
Inside and out.
If it was as easy as your suggestion to fix, it would’ve been sorted.
It’s a small blip, it may even cost us a title this season, but so what, LFC can’t win every season.
All will be the perfect football machine in time.
KCACO, jk.
How fickle we can be as LFC supporters. We comment so negatively and forget how great the club is. So many trophies and legendary players, even the Egyptian King. Slot and the Liverpool players will never ever walk alone – and this from a genuine Liverpool supporter for more than 60 years. RIP Jota.
Good on you, Geoff !
We need more like you passing on the good vibes to those who are lost and a ticking off to the bitter and the agent-provocateurs.
YNWA.
How fickle we as LFC supporters are at times. Have we forgotten how great a club we are? Arne Slot and the Liverpool players will never ever walk alone. Once a supporter always a supporter – except for the fickle and soothsayers.
Sadly Geoff, it’s an effect of the nastier kind of banter that some indulge in that hurts people emotionally.
When one invests so much of oneself, especially in a football team, emotions can run high.
It’s OK now, I’m a grown man now, but nothing hurt me more as a kid than losing the ’77 F.A. Cup or the ’89 title, more so after what also happened that year.
Everyone who loves their club has a sore spot.
Apply pressure and they’ll get upset.
Eg. Our Blue brothers and sisters of a certain age get upset over the 80’s Euro ban.
A societal problem that Reds fans got played to take the blame for.
Acting bitterly and sometimes criminally towards innocent Reds has exacerbated issues in our city also.
My father’s a Blue, so we keep it friendly and can watch a derby together.
With a higher emotional intelligence, it makes sense to realise that winning all the time causes arrogance and hubris, and we all should learn that we have to take the rough with the smooth at times…
It all evens out in the end, even if not in our lifetimes.
See my response to Geoff, Geoffrey.😉
You know it makes sense…
Arne has the players that all have proven talent not yet gelling to give the team that we had. That is the supply to the best attacking players but not yet functioning as the ones we know.
It’s so obvious that our defence does not have confidence in each other, leaving us open all the time. Sort out defence and the rest will come!
Can’t do anything until January, jhl.
Waiting until the summer to sort it through signings is probably more likely. Nobody is UCL cup-tied then.
We’ll just have to soldier on for now and it’ll all work out…