Liverpool’s Decline: From Title Holders to Title Contenders

In late August, after Liverpool’s victory over Arsenal at Anfield, the prevailing sentiment was that little had changed during the summer. Despite a shaky defensive start to the season against Bournemouth and Newcastle, the reigning Premier League champions showcased their resilience, securing a late goal to triumph over their main title rivals.

Gary Neville, the former Manchester United right-back, remarked on Sky Sports, “Liverpool possess what Arteta and Arsenal currently lack—a competitive edge and the belief necessary to win crucial matches on the road.” He noted that while Liverpool exudes the confidence to clinch victory, Arsenal appears content with merely avoiding defeat, which may ultimately hinder their progress.

Roy Keane, Neville’s former teammate, echoed this sentiment, stating, “A hallmark of a great team is the ability to secure wins even when not performing at their peak—this is what champions do. It is early in the season, and improvement is to be expected.”

However, Liverpool’s fortunes took a downturn; their title defense had effectively deteriorated by mid-November. The pressing question is how Liverpool found themselves trailing Arsenal by 14 points, a stark contrast to the previous season where they outperformed their rivals through tactical ingenuity and tenacity. The underlying issue seems to stem from a collective failure within the club.

Following their win against Arsenal, Liverpool attempted two significant transfers: a £125 million deal for Newcastle’s Alexander Isak and a £35 million acquisition of Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. Ultimately, only the latter materialized, and notably, not the more impactful signing.

While the decision to pursue Isak—a promising striker—was understandable, the necessity of investing heavily in a forward position, especially after already acquiring Hugo Ekitike for £69 million, is questionable. A more prudent approach would have been to seek a versatile winger like Antoine Semenyo following Luis Diaz’s departure.

Moreover, Liverpool’s efforts to secure Guehi at a low cost were undermined by their procrastination until the transfer deadline, which should have been resolved before the season commenced. With Ibrahima Konate signaling his unreliability and Joe Gomez’s ongoing injury struggles, the recruitment of an experienced center-back was imperative.

A club that invested over £400 million in new signings now finds itself in the unusual position of needing more reinforcements midway through the season, compounded by the likelihood of losing Guehi and Semenyo to Manchester City, further exacerbating their predicament.

Even accounting for transfer missteps and the unfortunate injury to promising talent Giovanni Leoni, there is no justification for Liverpool’s defensive inadequacies this season. Their issues at set-pieces have become clichéd, culminating in the removal of set-piece coach Aaron Briggs after conceding yet another goal from a dead-ball situation.

Currently, no member of the coaching staff appears secure in their roles, including the manager, who has voiced concerns about the team’s ongoing struggles without presenting effective solutions. The decision to exclude Mohamed Salah before his departure for the Africa Cup of Nations has paradoxically made Liverpool harder to beat. After suffering six defeats in seven matches, they have since gone eight games without a loss, yet this record is misleading, characterized by a lackluster performance rather than dominance.

Several key players have notably underperformed this season, with Alexis Mac Allister leading the charge, impacting the team’s ability to exert pressure on opponents. Ryan Gravenberch’s inconsistent form has further diminished Liverpool’s control in critical matches, resulting in conceding four goals after the 90th minute this season, translating into lost points.

The sense of inevitability surrounding Fulham’s equalizer at Craven Cottage underscored Liverpool’s ongoing struggles, particularly in a lackluster first half where they failed to register a single shot on target.

Looking ahead to their clash at the Emirates, Liverpool may find themselves challenged once more. Manager Slot has faced criticism for the team’s perceived dull play but has acknowledged the truth in some of the feedback, albeit with a defense that considers injury absences.

Arsenal, keen to capitalize on Liverpool’s vulnerabilities, will aim to exploit every set-piece opportunity, while Liverpool’s midfield, including Gravenberch, may struggle against Arsenal’s rejuvenated stars like Martin Ødegaard and Declan Rice. With Ekitike’s anticipated absence, Liverpool’s attacking threat could diminish against one of the Premier League’s strongest defenses.

Despite these challenges, Liverpool possesses enough talent to pose a threat to Arsenal. The players, including Van Dijk, appear motivated to demonstrate that while their title defense may be over, their season is not.

Slot emphasized the importance of upcoming fixtures, noting, “We still have a lot to fight for in the league, as well as in the FA Cup and Champions League. These matches are crucial to gauge our progress against formidable opponents like Arsenal.” However, fans remain apprehensive about what the future holds, as their hopes for a title challenge have been replaced by a struggle for a top-four finish, starkly illustrating the champions’ decline.