IT is never great to lose back-to-back matches, especially when you are the reigning Premier League champions.
While there were contentious moments that led to goals in the defeats to Crystal Palace last weekend and to Galatasaray in the Champions League in midweek, Liverpool will now need to find ways to win again.
The Reds did try, but ultimately they could not break down the defences of both teams.
It is still early days into the season, and the losses should not be too big of a concern for Arne Slot. Well, not yet anyway.
It is now up to Slot to improve things and get back to winning ways, starting with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge today.
The glaring issue currently faced by the Merseyside team is cohesion, or rather a distinct lack of it.
Just how long more will it take before everything clicks and “Slot’s Machine” gets to purr again?
Pressure will start to intensify and eyes will be on Slot and especially his expensive players if they don’t shape up soon.
Florian Wirtz, one of the club’s record signings, still seems to be struggling with the physicality and pace of the league.
No doubt a brilliant player, but questions are starting to be asked when last season’s German men’s Footballer of the Year will start to play like his former self in the Bundesliga.
Another club record signing Alexander Isak, who missed most of pre-season with Newcastle United prior to his switch to Merseyside, is also still finding his feet.
The Swede, a proven goalscorer in the English league, will undoubtedly improve with more matches under his belt.
Others who are also struggling include Jeremie Frimpong who has just returned from an injury suffered earlier in the season, Milos Kerkez who has been inconsistent, and Ibrahima Konate who seems a shadow of his former self.
Mohamed Salah’s game too has been affected, not being able to have much impact on matches as he tries to gel with his new teammates.
Against Chelsea, Giorgi Mamardashvili looks set to be given his Premier League debut after Alisson Becker went out with an injury against Galatasaray.
The big Georgian has already been given a taste of English football and impressed in the Carabao League Cup third round win over Southampton last month.
Konate, despite his form, should be retained in the heart of defence with Virgil van Dijk, with Kerkez and Frimpong on the flanks.
With the injury Hugo Ekitike suffered in midweek, Slot will certainly have much to ponder as to who will make his selection in attack and midfield.
Will Isak replace Ekitike in the central forward role despite his lack of match fitness, or will Cody Gakpo play there instead?
Salah will definitely be on the right wing, while a question mark remains on the left, with the options being Wirtz, Gakpo or Rio Ngumoha.
Federico Chiesa, who is struggling with a minor injury and missed the trip to Istanbul, is in a race against time to prove his fitness.
Chiesa, who is another option on the left, has impressed with the limited game time he has been given, and has two goals and two assists in all competitions.
In midfield, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch should be retained, with the other spot a toss-up between Curtis Jones and Alexis Mac Allister.
As seen from last season, Slot is capable of making good decisions and changes whenever required.
Perhaps he needs to make unpopular decisions by benching some of the current starters to minimise individual errors, and to have better control of matches.
Chelsea meanwhile, will be without key players of their own.
Enzo Maresca will not have the services of Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo, Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana at the back.
Jorrel Hato should be partnering either Josh Acheampong or Benoit Badiashile as the centre back pairing, while flanked by Reece James and Marc Cucurella.
With Cole Palmer, Liam Delap and Andrey Santos all out injured, the midfield and forward line should consist of Romeo Lavia, Moses Caicedo, Pedro Neto, Estevao, Enzo Fernandez and Joao Pedro.
Following their 1-0 win over Benfica in the Champions League in midweek, the Blues should be feeling more confident compared to Liverpool.
Maresca will no doubt be plotting how to take advantage of the Reds’ current problems and figure out how to win today.