Liverpool’s Disappointing Title Defense: A Season of Struggles

Liverpool invested £450 million in new signings this summer to solidify their status as England’s leading football club following their 20th league championship win last season. However, after 12 games into a tumultuous title defense, Arne Slot’s squad is on track to become the Premier League’s least successful defending champions.

After being hailed as the ideal successor to Jürgen Klopp, Slot has encountered a starkly different scenario this season. The 47-year-old coach is grappling with an alarming situation, as his team is on the verge of creating negative history.

Mohamed Salah has seen a decline in his scoring ability, while significant summer acquisitions Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz—each costing over £100 million—have proven to be costly misfires. Additionally, Ibrahima Konaté has exemplified a wider defensive weakness, resulting in the team conceding more goals than it has scored.

The champions’ legendary invincibility has dissipated, even at Anfield, as evidenced by Saturday’s 3-0 home loss to Nottingham Forest. This defeat marked the first time Liverpool has suffered back-to-back league losses by three goals since 1965, contributing to their sixth defeat in seven league matches. The team’s performance has spiraled from first to 11th position since September 27.

Historically, only José Mourinho’s Chelsea in the 2014-15 season began their title defense worse, with seven losses in their first 12 games, ultimately leading to Mourinho’s dismissal just seven months after securing the title.

Liverpool joins Blackburn Rovers (1994-95 champions) and Leicester City (2015-16 champions) as the only other teams to have recorded six defeats within the first 12 matches of their title defense. Blackburn managed to stabilize and finish seventh the following season, whereas Leicester, after dismissing coach Claudio Ranieri in February 2017, ended up in 12th place, marking the lowest finish for a Premier League champion.

The pressing question is whether Liverpool is on a trajectory toward a Leicester-like downfall or if Slot can reverse the trend and guide the team back towards success this season.

Most indications suggest that Liverpool should eventually emerge from their current slump and aim for a top-four finish. However, the swift declines experienced by Chelsea, Blackburn, and Leicester remind us that football can be capricious. The pressure mounts on Slot to rectify the situation promptly.

“There is definitely a way out, especially with the quality players we have,” Slot stated after the defeat against Forest. “However, I must stress that I take responsibility for the current losses. One is accountable in both winning and losing situations. I cannot offer enough excuses for our results, which are simply unacceptable.”

Slot’s captain, Virgil van Dijk, provided a more incisive critique of the team’s shortcomings, insisting that players must acknowledge their accountability while questioning whether all teammates are fully committed.

“As champions, we cannot find ourselves in our current position; it’s a fact,” said the center back. “What are we going to do about it? We need to strive to turn it around, and that mentality is crucial. The key is for everyone to take responsibility. Are they doing that? I cannot say. But it is essential.”

Slot faces numerous issues, each complex and lacking straightforward solutions. Konaté has struggled alongside Van Dijk, yet Slot lacks viable alternatives to the French international. The failure to secure Crystal Palace defender Marc Guéhi on deadline day now looms over Liverpool.

Adding to the challenge, Liverpool’s backup option, Giovanni Leoni, an 18-year-old signed from Parma, suffered a cruciate ligament injury in September, sidelining him until next season. Konaté’s poor form has also affected Van Dijk, compounded by the prolonged absence of goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who resumed play only recently following his injury.

In the left-back position, Slot has been slow to recognize that Milos Kerkez lacks the experience to effectively replace Andy Robertson. Meanwhile, the loss of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid is now felt acutely in the right-back position, forcing Liverpool to often deploy midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai.

With a defense that has proved inconsistent and unreliable, Liverpool’s midfielders are increasingly strained, particularly when Wirtz is selected. The German international has yet to register a goal or assist in 11 Premier League matches, although he has contributed two assists in four UEFA Champions League appearances. His struggles with the pace and physicality of the English game have become apparent, and opponents are exploiting these vulnerabilities.

At the front, Liverpool’s attacking strategy is faltering despite the depth of talent available. Isak has yet to score a league goal since joining from Newcastle United, and his apparent lack of work rate has already begun to frustrate Liverpool supporters. Salah, the previous season’s Footballer of the Year, appears to be performing as though he regrets not transferring to another club over the summer after signing a two-year extension. Meanwhile, Hugo Ekitike, initially viewed as a promising addition, has only netted one goal in nine appearances, with no Premier League goals in over two months.

Salah’s impending departure for the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt may present Slot with an opportunity, possibly allowing him to deploy Isak, Wirtz, and Ekitike more prominently. However, none have demonstrated readiness for this challenge.

Ultimately, the responsibility lies with Slot to navigate the team out of this challenging situation and prevent Liverpool from becoming the worst defending champions in Premier League history.