Liverpool are experiencing one of the most unsettling starts to a campaign in their recent history. After opening the Premier League with five straight wins and entering the season as defending champions, Arne Slot’s team has collapsed in dramatic fashion: five losses in their last six matches, already surpassing their total number of defeats during the entire title-winning run in 2023-24.

The latest blow was brutal — a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City — leaving the Reds eight points behind leaders Arsenal and sinking to eighth place in the table. At this stage last season, Liverpool weren’t just leading the league: they had accumulated 28 points, ten more than they have today. The drop-off has become so steep that the numbers now fall into historic territory.

A Champion That No Longer Resembles One

The collapse goes far beyond statistics. Liverpool have lost stability, cutting edge, and their competitive identity. Defensive fragility has become impossible to ignore: 18 goals conceded in 11 league matches, only three clean sheets, and an alarming inability to hold results away from home.

Even worse, the Reds have suffered four consecutive Premier League away defeats, something not seen since 2012, under Kenny Dalglish.

The contrast with the early days of Arne Slot is dramatic. In his first 21 away matches, the Dutch coach lost only three times. Now, in just the last four away fixtures, he has matched — and surpassed — that total.

A Massive Transfer Window That Isn’t Delivering

Liverpool spent over €370 million this summer aiming to revitalize and diversify their attack. But the reality isn’t matching the plan:

• Alexander Isak, the marquee signing, injured for the last five matches, has just one goal and one assist.
• Florian Wirtz has yet to contribute a goal or assist in the Premier League.
• Hugo Ekitiké is the lone bright spot so far, with five goals and one assist.

Add to this the sharp decline of Mohamed Salah, who carried last season’s title run with 29 goals and 18 assists. Today, he has only five goals, and his impact is fading fast — against City, he didn’t register a single shot on target and was repeatedly caught offside.

A Brutal Calendar Accelerating the Collapse

The downturn began after the Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace. Although the team responded with seven consecutive wins across competitions, the walls came crashing down all at once:

• Four straight defeats (three in the league, one in the Champions League)
• Elimination from the League Cup at the hands of Crystal Palace
• Another league setback vs Brentford
• And the recent 3-0 loss to Manchester City, complete with controversy over Van Dijk’s disallowed goal

Inconsistency has resurfaced even after big nights — like the 5-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt or the away victory against Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Can Liverpool Recover?

Arne Slot didn’t mince words:
“The margin still exists, but we have to react now.”

He knows the next matches will define the season. After the international break, Liverpool face Nottingham Forest, then West Ham, with a crucial Champions League meeting against PSV sandwiched in between.

History, however, offers little comfort: only three teams in more than 100 years have won the English league after losing five of their first 11 matches.

Liverpool still possess talent, squad depth, and a coaching staff capable of rebuilding. But the Premier League is unforgiving — and right now, the defending champions are standing on the edge of a competitive cliff.