Liverpool’s Premier League title defence took another major hit on Saturday as they slumped to a 3-2 defeat against Brentford, marking their fourth consecutive league loss and fifth defeat in six games across all competitions.

Goals from Dango Ouattara, Kevin Schade, and Igor Thiago secured victory for the Bees, who climbed to 10th in the table, while the Reds slipped to sixth and could fall further behind leaders Arsenal by Sunday.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has struggled to find answers despite a record summer spending spree of nearly £450 million ($600 million).

His side looked disjointed once again, particularly in defence, as Brentford capitalised on set pieces and long throws.

The home side took the lead when Michael Kayode’s long throw was flicked on by Kristoffer Ajer, allowing Ouattara to volley home. Brentford doubled their lead when Mikkel Damsgaard’s clever through ball found Schade, who finished calmly past Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Liverpool briefly rallied, with Milos Kerkez converting Conor Bradley’s cross in first-half stoppage time, but Brentford restored their two-goal advantage after a VAR-awarded penalty. Replays showed Virgil van Dijk fouled Ouattara just inside the box, and Igor Thiago made no mistake from the spot.

Mohamed Salah ended his six-game goal drought with a superb late strike in the 89th minute, smashing Dominik Szoboszlai’s cross in off the bar, but it proved too late to rescue a point.