Liverpool Faces Historic Struggles in Title Defense

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

Initially regarded as the ideal successor to Jürgen Klopp, Slot successfully transitioned Liverpool into a new era with minimal upheaval last season. This season, however, he faces a starkly different challenge. The 47-year-old is struggling, with his team at risk of making history for all the wrong reasons.

Star player Mohamed Salah has seen a decline in his scoring form, while major summer acquisitions Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz—each costing over £100 million—have been underwhelming. Ibrahima Konaté’s poor defensive performances reflect a broader trend, as the team has now conceded more league goals than it has scored.

The former champions’ aura of invincibility has been shattered, even at their home ground, Anfield. The recent 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest marked the first instance since 1965 that Liverpool lost two consecutive league matches by three goals. This dismal run, comprising six losses in seven league games dating back to September 27, has seen the team plummet from first to 11th in the standings.

Historically, only José Mourinho’s Chelsea in the 2014-15 season have started a title defense worse, with seven defeats in their first 12 matches. That poor performance led to Mourinho’s dismissal just seven months after winning the title for the third time. Other teams, such as Blackburn Rovers (1994-95 champions) and Leicester City (2015-16 champions), also recorded six defeats in their first 12 games, but both managed different outcomes; Blackburn finished seventh, while Leicester ended up 12th after firing their title-winning coach.

Fans now wonder if Liverpool is headed for a similar bottom-half finish, or if Slot can reverse their fortunes and guide the team toward success this season. Despite the current challenges, there remain signs that Liverpool may eventually recover and secure a top-four finish. However, the stark realities of football suggest that the precedents set by Chelsea, Blackburn, and Leicester are not easily ignored. The urgency is mounting for Slot to address the situation promptly.

“Of course, there is a way out, particularly with the quality players we have,” Slot stated after the loss to Forest. “However, I want to stress that I am accountable for the current setbacks. Responsibility comes with both victories and defeats. I cannot find enough excuses for the results we’ve had; they are simply not acceptable.”

Captain Virgil van Dijk offered a more incisive critique, asserting that players must also shoulder their share of the blame. He questioned whether all teammates are fully committed to turning the situation around. “As champions, we cannot find ourselves in this predicament, but reality dictates otherwise. The main focus must be on taking responsibility. Are all of us doing that? I am uncertain. But that is the expectation.”

Slot is confronted with multiple challenges, and determining where to begin is complex, as some issues lack straightforward solutions. Konaté’s decline in form has compounded Liverpool’s defensive issues, and the failure to finalize a deadline-day transfer for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guéhi now looms large. Additionally, the injury to 18-year-old backup Giovanni Leoni, who signed from Parma, has left the squad with limited options.

The defensive struggles have adversely affected midfield performance, especially with Wirtz’s underwhelming contributions. The German international has yet to register a goal or assist in 11 Premier League appearances, despite having two assists in four Champions League matches. His challenges with the pace and physicality of English football are becoming increasingly evident to opponents.

Up front, Liverpool’s attacking strategies have faltered, given the wealth of talent at Slot’s disposal. Isak has not scored a league goal since joining from Newcastle United, causing frustration among supporters. Meanwhile, Salah, last season’s Footballer of the Year, has struggled to find his form and appears disenchanted after extending his contract rather than seeking a move elsewhere. Hugo Ekitike, a promising signing, has also fallen short with only one goal in nine appearances and no league goals in over two months.

Salah’s upcoming participation in the Africa Cup of Nations might provide Slot with an opportunity to field Isak, Wirtz, and Ekitike as primary forwards. However, none of these players have demonstrated readiness to seize the opportunity thus far.

Ultimately, the onus is on Slot to navigate these challenges and ensure that Liverpool does not conclude this season as the worst defending champions in Premier League history.