Liverpool’s squad have asked supporters for patience after back-to-back losses that followed a bright start to the campaign. The reigning Premier League champions had been fortunate to secure seven successive wins at the beginning of the season, but that run has ended in two difficult outings where their defensive vulnerabilities were exposed.

Fans have expressed concern after the recent displays, and players have been clear in their message: setbacks are part of the sport and response matters. “It’s just part of the game,” said Reds midfielder Jones after the defeat in Istanbul. “I say it all the time, you must be mad if you think you can win every game.

“You’d obviously like to, but the reality is these teams you play are world-class teams and it’s normal if you lose. It’s just how you bounce back. It’s part of it—it’s not fine that we lose but we just have to stay calm and it will all change. Of course it will.”

The tone in the dressing room remained defiant rather than alarmed. Captain Virgil van Dijk also urged composure following European disappointment, pointing out that the team have already shown their title-winning qualities at times this season but must deliver more consistently. “I think we have showed it [our title-winning form] already in many games this season but we haven’t shown it for the full 90 minutes yet unfortunately,” confessed the Liverpool skipper. “It is absolutely normal and nowadays you don’t get the time from the outside world so you have to be strong mentally.

“I am very confident. We have to keep working and sticking together. We had a good start this year in terms of points tally. There shouldn’t be panic, but improvement is needed.”

The immediate focus will be on correcting defensive lapses and finding sharper collective performances as the season progresses. For now, players ask supporters to remain calm and trust that the group will seek a swift response.

Alexis Mac Allister was withdrawn during Liverpool’s 1–0 win over Burnley after a heavy challenge from Ugochukwu, but manager Arne Slot said he is not worried about the midfielder’s availability. Slot explained the substitution was as much about fitness management as the tackle itself.

Slot set out why he chose to remove Mac Allister and how pre-season absence has affected the player’s minutes. “Not tactically, it was a bit of both,” Slot explained. “He missed a lot of pre-season. He is ready for one game a week, maybe 70 to 90 [minutes].

“He played 90 for Argentina and was really tired after 70 so doesn’t have the right buildup to play three games a week, 90 minutes. I was always sure I would take him off after 60 minutes for him to be ready to be back on the pitch on Wednesday and Saturday and I already made one substitution in the first half .

“If I take him off on 60 minutes then I would have to make another one, then if I want to make changes on 75 I can do nothing anymore. That, combined with the tackle that was a tackle that he felt. I’m not surprised by the fact he felt that tackle, by the way.

“It was a combination of both. He said it was fine and good enough to go on although he limped a lot. That’s more his mentality that he could actually perform at his best for 15 minutes longer.”

Goalkeeper Alisson offered a similarly calm assessment. “He’s a very strong man,” Alisson told ESPN . “Nothing’s wrong with him, he was just in a bit of pain. I think he’s fine.”

Slot will hope to have Mac Allister available for Wednesday’s Champions League opener against Atlético Madrid. Record signing Alexander Isak is expected to make his debut for the Reds in that fixture.