Liverpool Faces Historic Struggles After Heavy Investment

omidbasir- Liverpool has invested a staggering £450 million in new signings this summer to solidify its position as England’s premier football club, following a triumphant 20th league championship last season. However, after 12 matches in a tumultuous title defense, the team, under the leadership of Arne Slot, is on track to become the worst defending champions in Premier League history.

Initially seen as the ideal successor to Jürgen Klopp, Slot successfully guided Liverpool into a new era with minimal changes last season. This year, however, he faces a far more daunting challenge. At 47 years old, Slot is struggling, with his team poised to make unwanted history.

Mohamed Salah has seen a decline in his scoring form, while high-profile summer acquisitions Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz—both exceeding £100 million—have not met expectations. Additionally, Ibrahima Konaté’s poor performance has highlighted a defensive frailty that has led to the team conceding more goals than they have scored in the league.

The team’s previously unassailable reputation has crumbled, even at Anfield. A 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest marked the first instance since 1965 that Liverpool has lost consecutive league matches by three goals. This dismal streak has resulted in six losses in their last seven league games, causing the team to plummet from first to 11th place.

Only José Mourinho’s Chelsea managed a worse start to their title defense in the 2014-15 season, recording seven defeats in the first 12 matches—a performance that ultimately led to Mourinho’s dismissal just months after clinching the title.

Historically, Blackburn Rovers (1994-95) and Leicester City (2015-16) are the only other teams to achieve six defeats in their initial 12 games as defending champions. While Blackburn stabilized to finish seventh in 1995-96, Leicester, despite dismissing their title-winning coach Claudio Ranieri in February 2017, ended the season in 12th place, the lowest finish ever for a Premier League champion.

Will Liverpool face a similar fate to Leicester by finishing in the bottom half? Or can Slot reverse the current trend and steer his team back toward success this season?

All signs suggest that Liverpool could emerge from their losing streak and secure a top-four finish eventually. However, the rapid declines experienced by Chelsea, Blackburn, and Leicester serve as cautionary tales. The pressure mounts on Slot to rectify the situation swiftly.

“There is a way out, especially considering the quality of players we have,” Slot remarked following the defeat to Forest. “But I must stress that I bear responsibility for the current losses. You are accountable when you win, and you are equally accountable when you lose. I cannot justify our results; they are entirely unacceptable, and I take responsibility for that.”

Slot’s captain, Virgil van Dijk, offered a stark assessment of the team’s shortcomings, emphasizing that the players must accept their share of the blame and questioning their commitment.

“As defending champions, we cannot be in this situation; it is a fact,” stated the center-back. “What are we going to do about it? We need to work on turning it around, and that mentality must be universal within the squad. It’s crucial that everyone takes responsibility. Are they doing that? I can’t say for sure. But that’s what needs to happen.”

Slot faces numerous challenges, but the question remains where to begin, as some issues appear insurmountable. Defensively, alongside Van Dijk, Konaté’s form has waned, and Slot lacks an alternative since failing to secure Crystal Palace defender Marc Guéhi on deadline day.

An overlooked aspect is the injury to Liverpool’s backup defender, Giovanni Leoni, an 18-year-old signed from Parma, who is out for the season due to a cruciate ligament injury. Konaté’s poor performance has negatively impacted Van Dijk, compounded by the prolonged absence of goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who only returned to action against Forest after a long layoff.

On the left flank, Slot has been slow to recognize that Milos Kerkez is too inexperienced to replace Andy Robertson. The loss of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid is also keenly felt, particularly at right back, where midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has occasionally filled in.

With a defense that has become increasingly erratic, Liverpool’s midfield is struggling to meet the demands placed upon them. Wirtz, in particular, has yet to register a goal or assist in 11 Premier League appearances, though he has managed two assists in four UEFA Champions League matches. The 22-year-old has consistently struggled to adapt to the pace and physicality of the English game, with opponents exploiting his weaknesses.

Up front, Liverpool’s attacking options are faltering, which is surprising given the depth of talent available. Isak has failed to score a league goal since joining from Newcastle United, leading to growing frustration among the supporters. Meanwhile, Salah, the previous season’s Footballer of the Year, is performing as though he regrets not seeking a transfer instead of signing a new two-year contract. Hugo Ekitike, once viewed as a promising signing, has netted only one goal in nine appearances, with no league goals for over two months.

Salah’s impending departure for the Africa Cup of Nations next month could present an opportunity for Slot, allowing him to field Isak, Wirtz, and Ekitike with the expectation that they must rise to the occasion. However, none of these players have shown the capability to fulfill that challenge thus far.

Ultimately, it falls to Slot to navigate the team out of this predicament and ensure that Liverpool does not end the season as the worst defending champions in Premier League history.