Liverpool’s Struggles: A Title Defense in Crisis

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

Initially seen as the ideal successor to Jürgen Klopp, Slot has been confronted with a significant challenge this season. The 47-year-old is struggling to navigate his squad through a dire situation, with the team now at risk of making history for all the wrong reasons.

Mohamed Salah has experienced a notable decline in form, while high-profile summer acquisitions Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz—each costing over £100 million—have yet to deliver on their promises. Additionally, Ibrahima Konaté’s lackluster performances have been symptomatic of a defensive crisis, as the club has conceded more league goals than it has scored.

The champions’ once unassailable aura has been shattered, even on home turf. Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest marked the first time Liverpool has lost consecutive league games by three goals since 1965. This defeat was part of a troubling run of six losses in seven league matches, a streak that has seen them tumble from first to 11th place since September 27.

Liverpool is now only one defeat away from tying the record for the worst start by a defending champion, a title previously held by José Mourinho’s Chelsea, who lost seven of their first 12 games in 2014-15. That dismal performance led to Mourinho’s dismissal just seven months after he had led Chelsea to the title.

Only Blackburn Rovers (1994-95) and Leicester City (2015-16) have similarly recorded six losses in their first 12 games as defending champions. Blackburn managed to stabilize their season to finish seventh, while Leicester, following the firing of their title-winning coach Claudio Ranieri, ended up in 12th place, the lowest finish for a Premier League champion.

Are Liverpool on a trajectory towards a similarly disappointing outcome? Or can Slot reverse the trend and steer his team towards some semblance of success?

Despite the current struggles, there are indications that Liverpool could reclaim a top-four finish. However, the experiences of Chelsea, Blackburn, and Leicester illustrate how quickly fortunes can change in football. The pressure is mounting on Slot to rectify the situation swiftly.

“Of course there is a way out, especially with the quality players we have,” Slot stated after the defeat against Forest. “But I want to emphasize I am responsible for the current losses. You are responsible when you are winning, but also when you are losing. I cannot provide enough excuses for our results; they are far from good enough, and I take responsibility for that.”

Captain Virgil van Dijk provided a stark analysis of the team’s shortcomings, suggesting that the players must share accountability while questioning whether all teammates are fully committed to improving their performance.

“As the champions, we cannot be in the situation we find ourselves in, but it is a fact,” the center-back remarked. “What are we going to do about it? We will try to turn it around, and that is the mentality everyone should adopt. The main issue for me is that everyone must take responsibility. Are people doing that? I don’t know, but it is essential.”

Slot faces numerous challenges, yet it is unclear where to begin addressing them, as many lack straightforward solutions.

In defense, alongside Van Dijk, Konaté has faltered, with no immediate alternative available to Slot. The failure to secure a deadline-day deal for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guéhi now looms large over the club’s predicament. Additionally, Liverpool’s backup option, 18-year-old Giovanni Leoni, suffered a cruciate ligament injury in September and will be sidelined until next season.

Konaté’s struggles have also affected Van Dijk, compounded by the extended absence of goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who only returned to action against Forest after an injury layoff since September 30.

On the left flank, Slot has been slow to recognize that Milos Kerkez is not yet ready to replace Andy Robertson. Meanwhile, the exit of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid is increasingly felt at right back, prompting Liverpool to field midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai in that position.

With an inconsistent and unreliable defense, Liverpool’s midfielders are finding it challenging to meet the demands placed upon them, particularly when Wirtz is included in the lineup. The German international has yet to contribute a goal or assist in 11 Premier League matches and has only managed two assists in four UEFA Champions League games, frequently struggling against the pace and physicality of the English game.

In attack, the situation is equally dire, marking a notable failure from Slot and his squad considering their depth of talent. Isak has not yet found the back of the net in league play since his transfer from Newcastle, and visible frustration is mounting among fans regarding his work rate. Conversely, Salah, last season’s Footballer of the Year, appears to be playing as if he wishes he had pursued other opportunities during the summer rather than extending his contract.

As for Hugo Ekitike, heralded as a success story from the summer window, he has only notched one goal in nine appearances, with no league goals in over two months.

Salah’s upcoming participation in the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt might provide Slot with a fresh strategy, potentially allowing him to field Isak, Wirtz, and Ekitike with the understanding that it is time for them to step up. However, none of them have exhibited the form that suggests they are ready to meet that challenge.

Ultimately, it falls upon Slot to extricate his team from this predicament and prevent Liverpool from concluding the season as the Premier League’s worst defending champions.