As Manchester City supporters briefly shifted their focus from the game to indulge in their iconic Poznan dance, the 7,600 Liverpool fans perched in the away section decided to mimic the move.

They turned around and made their way towards the exits, opting for an early departure. This strategic retreat was to catch a train ahead of the crowd, ease the journey home, or perhaps enjoy a quick pint in the Northern Quarter before the bars overflowed with jubilant locals.

The traveling Kop made their statement by walking away, both literally and figuratively. These devoted followers, who invest their time and money to support the team across the nation, felt let down once again by the performance on the field.

This week was touted as crucial for Liverpool’s season, especially with a challenging clash against the European champions Paris Saint-Germain looming on Wednesday. However, the campaign’s pivotal phase couldn’t have had a more disastrous start after suffering a demoralizing 4-0 defeat.

As Luis Enrique’s squad prepares for the upcoming match, they must be eager to face a Liverpool side that seems to have lost its formidable edge since being knocked out by them a year ago. A heavy defeat in Paris could mark the end of Liverpool’s hopes this season.

This week was billed as a season-defining period for the Reds, who now go to European champions Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday and it could not have started much worse

The Liverpool fans headed for an early exit during their 4-0 drubbing against City on Saturday

It’s notable that this season commenced with Liverpool investing a significant £450 million in new talent, after clinching the league title. The notion of a ‘transition’ year doesn’t hold water, as this was meant to be the era of establishing a lasting legacy.

They were the best team in the land and were meant to only get better. Instead, they got worse. And they are still plunging lower now. There has been the odd glimmer of hope and then it is blown away. The FA Cup is not top priority but it was the manner of this defeat that was most worrying.

Where was the fight? Where was the belief? Where were the signs of hope, even in defeat, that fans could cling on as they trudged back across the East Lancashire Road?

Slot turned for the home straight of the season wanting to show the doubters wrong, aiming to silence the dissenters, trying to earn back some trust with fans and demonstrate why he is the man to lead this team forward.

All he did was add fuel to the flames as said backing in him eroded even further, from the stands at least. He is now sleepwalking dangerously at the cliff edge.

Liverpool’s hierarchy are behind Slot but how long can that last?

There are plenty of mitigating circumstances for this rotten campaign, not least the passing of Diogo Jota and the incalculable impact that must still have on the team every day, a factor we must never ignore.

Injuries and not putting chances away are also top of the list of on-pitch excuses.

Hugo Ekitike giving Rayan Cherki his shirt before the game had even ended has wound up fans

Injuries and not putting chances away are also top of the list of on-pitch excuses for Liverpool’s poor performances this season

But it is hard to see how Slot turns this around now. It is tough to envisage how this loyal and understanding fan base changes their mind on him. In the eyes of many, he was already past the point of no return but this week, a loss in Manchester followed by who knows what in Paris, could seal that.

Whatever happens, he will still bow out a league-winner and that will never be taken away from him, like a music artist who has a best-selling first album followed up by a letdown second record. The early hits will still be remembered fondly but this year? The less said, the better.

A Premier League champion, he is trying his best and should not be disrespected with undeserved insults but it is fair for fans to question him.

Slot may wear a smile on his face but he looks like a politician who knows the voters are turning against him. The walls are caving in and nothing he tries is working. Like the Prime Minister, the damage is done now and whatever he does will not win back those who have already decided his government is doomed, especially when better candidates in their eyes (no names) may be available.

This was the lowest ebb of a season full of demoralising moments. It was the third defeat to City but this would have hurt fans more. They were not just beaten but embarrassed as Liverpool were left to chase shadows.

‘Ole, ole, ole’ was the cry that greeted every pass as the Reds were suffocated in a bruising second half. ‘You’re getting sacked in the morning,’ sang the home fans, getting one back on their modern rivals for chanting the same at Pep Guardiola last year.

Remembering that day, when Liverpool were a class above City, should give dejected fans reasons to be cheerful given how quickly the tables have turned this season. Football is cyclical so why can’t Liverpool soon be back on top again?

Well, there have been umpteen episodes this year to demonstrate the gaping gap between Slot’s men and the elite teams such as Arsenal, City and Wednesday’s opponents PSG.

Liverpool were not just beaten by City but embarrassed by them – and left to chase shadows

Mohamed Salah, who is starting his farewell tour, seems devoid of confidence as City keeper James Trafford denied him multiple times, once from the penalty spot 

Slot is not the only man to blame, of course. This squad is brimming with talent but none have performed to the standards they set last year. Some incidents, like Hugo Ekitike giving Rayan Cherki his shirt or Dominik Szoboszlai appearing to be annoyed at fans leaving, are not a great look.

Mohamed Salah, who is starting his farewell tour, seems devoid of confidence as City keeper James Trafford denied him multiple times, once from the penalty spot. The defence wilted and City played through the Liverpool midfield like a hot knife through butter.

But the buck ultimately stops with Slot, who has overseen 12 months of stinking performances, starting with the Carabao Cup final last spring. Does he have the answers to change the trajectory of this team? Right now, it does not seem like he does.

The hierarchy at Anfield are measured and not trigger-happy so may retain backing of Slot right now. But as they watched 7,000 fans voting with their feet by turning their backs to leave early, is it time for the head coach’s position to be seriously scrutinised?