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The champions' high-wire act has been filled with peril throughout this term and the Premier League champions have now lost their composure spectacularly to drop from the summit of the standings.

Arne Slot's defending title holders grabbed wins with late goals in the early stages of the protection of their title, relying on thrilling conclusions to secure wins while disguising form that has shown mixed since the campaign began.

The Turning Tide

The Cherries, Newcastle United, The Gunners, Burnley and The Spanish side all fell to injury-time goals – but it was a high-risk unmaintainable strategy, particularly with Liverpool distant from peak form.

Currently they have tasted a bitter taste of their own medicine twice in a week's span.

Recent Defeats

The Blues' deserved 2-1 victory was delivered by Estevao Willian's 95th-minute goal, while Liverpool's first Premier League loss of the term was caused by Eddie Nketiah's 97th-minute finish for the Eagles.

In between these defeats, The Turkish club beat the Merseysiders 1-0 in the unique atmosphere of the Turkish city's impressive stadium, with Slot suffering three successive fixtures for the first time in his coaching career.

Manager's Outlook

"Last week, same as the current week, the fine margins haven't fallen in our benefit," the Dutch tactician informed media.

"Across both matches we've produced greater opportunities than the opponent we encountered - but the truth is that we've merely netted once in the two fixtures and our opponent has netted twice."

Numerical Analysis

Small details certainly - but it's undeniable the incredible change in fortunes. A staggering ten strikes have been netted following the 80th-minute mark in the team's eleven fixtures up to now this term.

The majority of those strikes have altered the result of the fixture.

Liverpool's Late Goals - For and Against

The successes...

• The Merseyside club 4-2 Bournemouth - Federico Chiesa 88' and The Egyptian star 90+4'

• The Magpies 2-3 Liverpool - Rio Ngumoha 90+10'

• The home side 1-0 Arsenal - Dominik Szoboszlai 83'

• Burnley 0-1 Liverpool - Mohamed Salah (pen) 90+3'

• The English side 3-2 Atletico Madrid - Virgil van Dijk 90+2'

• Southampton 1-2 Liverpool - The striker 85'

The losses...

• Crystal Palace 2-1 Liverpool - The winger 87' and The forward 90+7'

• The Blues 2-1 Liverpool - The Brazilian 90+5'

Fundamental Challenges

Late goals or anyway, the brutal truth is that the team have been a pale shadow of the team that strolled to the English title previous campaign.

Liverpool have looked disjointed after an influx of around £450m worth of fresh acquisitions.

Strategic Changes

The manager offered the team a more familiar look by benching Wirtz to restore the title-winning midfield trio of Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai and The Argentine.

Liverpool were not as open, although the midfielder was repositioned to defensive position when Conor Bradley was replaced at the interval.

Personal Difficulties

The Egyptian superstar, among the best players ever to pull on the red jersey, has been representative of their challenges.

Just an idiot would dismiss the experienced player who has been demonstrating moments of brilliance since he joined at the stadium in June 2017.

Future Prospects

After Liverpool reset after the international break, they will understandably expect a lot more from their costly attacking talent.

From a squad looking like they might carry all before it earlier in the season, though despite not being at their best and counting on injury-time finishes, Liverpool presently seem rocky.

This constitutes the toughest stretch for the manager since he replaced his predecessor.

Many complain about the interruption of the national team window – the struggling side are presently facing challenges so severely they might actually welcome the possibility to reset mentally.