Liverpool Faces Historic Struggles in Title Defense

Liverpool invested £450 million in new signings this summer to solidify their status as England’s preeminent force following their 20th league championship last season. However, after 12 tumultuous games in their title defense, Arne Slot’s squad is on track to become the Premier League’s most disappointing defending champions.

Initially regarded as the ideal successor to Jürgen Klopp, Slot has struggled to maintain the momentum of the previous season, facing a daunting challenge this year. The 47-year-old manager finds himself in a precarious position, with his team potentially facing historic setbacks.

Star player Mohamed Salah has seen a decline in his scoring form, while high-profile summer signings Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz—both exceeding £100 million—have proven to be costly missteps. Ibrahima Konaté exemplifies a broader defensive crisis, as Liverpool has conceded more league goals than it has scored.

The aura of invincibility surrounding the defending champions has been shattered, even at Anfield. A recent 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest marked the first time Liverpool has lost consecutive league matches by three goals since 1965. This disheartening stretch includes six losses in their last seven league games, causing the team to plummet from the top of the table to 11th position.

Liverpool’s current plight mirrors only that of José Mourinho’s Chelsea in the 2014-15 season, who also began their title defense with seven defeats in their first 12 matches. This poor performance led to Mourinho’s dismissal in December 2015, just months after securing the championship. Blackburn Rovers and Leicester City are the only other teams to have suffered six defeats in their initial 12 games as defending champions. Blackburn managed to stabilize and finish seventh, while Leicester, following the mid-season firing of Claudio Ranieri, ended their season in 12th place, marking the worst finish for a Premier League champion.

Are Liverpool destined for a similarly dismal outcome this season? Or can Slot reverse the trend and steer his team back toward a successful campaign?

There are indications that Liverpool could emerge from their current slump and secure a top-four finish. However, it is crucial to note that previous champions like Chelsea, Blackburn, and Leicester have all faced similarly rapid declines. The pressure is mounting on Slot to effect a swift turnaround.

“Of course there is a way out, especially with the quality players we have,” Slot stated following the defeat against Forest. “But I want to emphasize that I am responsible for the current losses. You are accountable when you win as well as when you lose. I cannot provide enough excuses for our results, which are far from acceptable. I bear responsibility for that.”

Captain Virgil van Dijk provided a more critical perspective, asserting that players must share the blame and questioning whether all team members are fully committed. “As champions, we cannot be in this situation, but it is a reality. What will we do about it? We need to strive to turn it around, and that’s the mentality everyone should adopt. The key is that everyone must take responsibility. Are they doing that? I’m not sure. But they need to.”

Slot faces numerous challenges, but the most pressing issue is identifying where to begin, as many of the problems do not have straightforward solutions. Defensively, alongside Van Dijk, Konaté’s form has faltered, leaving Slot with no viable alternatives. The inability to secure a late transfer for Crystal Palace’s Marc Guéhi looms large over Liverpool.

Additionally, Liverpool’s backup option, Giovanni Leoni, an 18-year-old signed from Parma, suffered a cruciate ligament injury in September and will be sidelined until next season. Konaté’s decline has also adversely affected Van Dijk, compounded by the absence of goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who returned to action only recently after a lengthy injury layoff.

In the left back position, Slot has been slow to recognize that Milos Kerkez lacks the experience to fill Andy Robertson’s shoes. Meanwhile, the loss of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid continues to impact the team. Liverpool has often resorted to utilizing midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai in the right back role.

With a defense that has become increasingly unreliable, Liverpool’s midfielders are struggling to manage the demands of their roles, particularly when Wirtz is included in the lineup. The German international has failed to contribute a single goal or assist in 11 Premier League appearances, although he has managed two assists in four UEFA Champions League matches. He has consistently struggled with the pace and physicality of the English game, a fact that opponents are keenly exploiting.

In the attacking third, nothing seems to be clicking, which is particularly striking given the talent at Slot’s disposal. Isak has yet to score in the league since his arrival from Newcastle United, leading to visible frustration among the Liverpool fanbase. Salah, last season’s Footballer of the Year, appears to be performing as if he regrets not pursuing a transfer in the summer, despite signing a new two-year contract. Hugo Ekitike, another anticipated signing, has mustered only one goal in nine appearances, with no Premier League goals in over two months.

Salah’s upcoming departure to the Africa Cup of Nations may provide Slot with an opportunity to reconfigure the attack, potentially allowing Isak, Wirtz, and Ekitike to step up in his absence. However, none have yet demonstrated the capability to rise to the occasion.

Ultimately, it falls to Slot to navigate this challenging situation and ensure that Liverpool does not finish this season as the worst defending champions in Premier League history.