Liverpool fans were celebrating just last season as Arne Slot, the manager who replaced the legendary Jürgen Klopp, led them to a shock Premier League title in his debut year! The feeling was electric: a new era, same success. Fast forward to the current Liverpool 2025/26 season, and the mood at Anfield is very different. The defending champions have hit a major roadblock, suffering four straight league defeats and sinking to 7th place in the table.
What is happening? Why has the machine that Slot built to perfection suddenly broken down? Fans are asking: what’s wrong with Liverpool? This blog post will break down the difficult start to the season and analyze the tactical changes under Slot.
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Expectations vs Reality under Arne Slot
The expectation after winning the title was simple: challenge for it again. Slot was praised for bringing in a new, more controlled style of play—a "Controlled Symphony" replacing Klopp's "Heavy Metal" football—which led to great success.
Reality has been tough. After starting the season with five straight wins, the team has lost its way, especially in recent league matches. The wins have stopped, and the goals are being conceded too easily. The team looks nervous, and the consistency that was their strength is now completely gone.
Tactical Changes: The Shift from Chaos to Control
One of the main reasons for the ups and downs is the big Arne Slot tactics shift.
- From High Press to Smart Press: Klopp’s famous Gegenpressing was constant and wild, designed to win the ball back high up the field immediately. Slot's system, however, uses a more trigger-based pressing. The team only presses hard when an opponent makes a mistake or is trapped near the touchline. This is meant to save energy and maintain structure, but it seems to have confused the players, making the press less effective overall.
- The Midfield Puzzle: Slot changed the core midfield. He moved away from using Dominik Szoboszlai as a direct attacking midfielder, placing him deeper, often in a "double pivot" role alongside players like Ryan Gravenberch. While this gives the team more control in passing, it has also made it harder for Liverpool to break down teams that defend with all players behind the ball.
- Full-Backs and the Backline: Under Klopp, Trent Alexander-Arnold (now departed) played a unique role. Slot has signed new full-backs like Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez. These players are asked to move inside (inverted) when attacking, forming a back-three to build up play. This is a very complex tactical move that leaves Liverpool vulnerable to quick counter-attacks down the flanks, which is exactly how opponents are scoring against them.
Key Players and Their Current Form
The form of key players is a major concern, explaining part of the Liverpool poor form.
- Mohamed Salah: The Egyptian King has struggled to find his best form in open play, though he recently ended a goal drought. He is still a threat, but he isn't dominating games as he once did.
- Alexander Isak (New Signing): Signed for a British record fee, the striker's integration has been slow. He missed most of pre-season and has struggled with fitness, recently picking up a groin injury. The team needs its star striker to be fit and firing.
- Defensive Leaders: Even world-class players like Captain Virgil van Dijk and defender Ibrahima Konaté have made costly mistakes. The whole defense looks shaky, failing to keep a clean sheet for several games.
Current Stats: A Worrying Trend
After nine games in the Premier League, the Liverpool Premier League performance is poor:
| Metric | Detail | Position |
| Record | 5 Wins, 0 Draws, 4 Losses | 7th |
| Goals Scored | 16 | (1.78 per game) |
| Goals Conceded | 14 | (1.56 per game) |
| Goal Difference | +2 |
The four straight losses are a shocking return for the defending champions. They are now seven points behind the league leaders, showing their attempts to retain the title are facing an early end.
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Injury Concerns and Squad Depth
Injuries are not helping Slot's cause. Important new signings like Alexander Isak and Jeremie Frimpong have both faced time on the sidelines. The sad and unexpected loss of Diogo Jota earlier in the year was a huge emotional blow to the squad and removed a vital, versatile attacking option.
Slot has been criticized for trying to fit too many new players, like Florian Wirtz, into the team all at once instead of sticking to a clear plan.
Comparison to Klopp’s Last Season
The contrast with Klopp's final season (2024-25, which Slot won) is stark. Last season, the team was built on passion, energy, and a solid defense (second-best in the league). This year, under the same manager, the team lacks that defensive reliability. Slot himself admitted, "We simply concede too many goals," and the team is struggling with "the basics," like defending long throws and set pieces.
Fans’ and Pundits’ Reactions
The pressure is building. Pundits on Sky Sports and BBC are highlighting the defensive issues and the confusion in midfield. The manager, Arne Slot, has been open about the struggle, saying the defeat to Brentford was one of his most disappointing moments. He suggests opponents have "worked out" how to play against his team—by hitting them on the counter-attack and exploiting space quickly—and Liverpool has "not found an answer yet."
Can Arne Slot Turn Things Around?
The Liverpool 2025/26 season has become a painful experience. The problem is not the quality of the players—Liverpool spent heavily on talent like Isak and Wirtz—but rather the transition to a new tactical identity. Slot is trying to change the team's style while winning, which is always difficult.
Can Arne Slot turn things around? Yes, but it will require him to simplify his tactics, decide on a clear starting eleven, and ensure the players focus on the basics of defending. If the losing streak continues, the club may have to accept that this season is not a title challenge but a necessary rebuild. Slot needs the backing of the fans and the board, because the move away from Klopp's style will always be a "bumpy road." For now, the championship-winning joy has been replaced by difficult questions.
If you want to hear the manager's immediate reaction after the latest loss, check out this video: Arne Slot’s Reaction to Brentford 3-2 Liverpool.
This video is a YouTube clip of Arne Slot’s post-match press conference following one of Liverpool's recent defeats, which highlights his frustration with the team's current defensive struggles.