It’s fair to say that Arne Slot delivered more than expected in a memorable first season at Anfield. While sections of the fanbase worried about a post-Klopp hangover, the Dutchman set about masterminding a record-equalling 20th top-flight title. In a summer marred by the tragic loss of Diogo Jota, Liverpool’s Fenway Sports Group ownership doubled down on the club’s success with a near £450 million splurge in the transfer market.
Favourites to defend their title with the bookmakers, the Reds were thought to be building a squad that could dominate the game for years to come. As we reach the business end of the 2025/26 campaign, however, things haven’t gone to plan.
Title Defence in Tatters
With seven games remaining, Liverpool sit fifth in the Premier League table, and they are a yawning 21 points adrift of leaders Arsenal. Dreams of a first successful defence since the three-in-a-row of 1983/84 have long since gone up in smoke. Odds of Liverpool winning are now as high as 4500/1 with some sites, and definitely not a wise use of the Betpanda first deposit bonus that seems to be all the talk on the LFC forums.
Having invested so heavily in what was already a winning side, fans have every right to question where it all went wrong. Critics point to Slot’s possession-focused tactics as a reason for the downturn in fortunes, while the injury to £125 million man Alexander Isak and the dramatic drop off from Mo Salah haven’t helped matters.
Poor in the league, Liverpool haven’t been much better in the cups. A 3-0 home loss to Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup and a 4-0 FA Cup thrashing at the Etihad against Manchester City ended all hope of a domestic trophy.
Perhaps the starkest example of the difference between last season and the current campaign came in the home clash with Tottenham Hotspur in March. In 2024/25, that fixture signalled euphoria on Merseyside as Liverpool dismantled Spurs in a 5-1 success to confirm the title. This year, the Reds coughed up a 90th-minute equaliser to ex-Everton man Richarlison as a stunned Anfield watched on in near silence.
There is no doubt that the season so far has fallen way short of expectations. While all is not lost, if Liverpool are to salvage anything, they need to start immediately.
Not Over Yet in the Champions League
Despite their domestic woes, Liverpool have reached the quarter-final stage of the Champions League. However, their hopes now hang by a thread following a 2-0 loss to PSG at the Parc des Princes in the first leg.
While it is no disgrace to lose at the home of the reigning champions, Liverpool’s performance in the French capital has drawn criticism from fans, pundits, and fellow players alike. Lining up with a back five, Slot’s negative approach did little to stem the flow of PSG attacks. But for an uncharacteristically wasteful display from Luis Enrique’s men, the tie would likely be all over bar the shouting. The Reds were no better at the other end of the pitch, with Liverpool recording only 26% possession and failing to register a shot on target in a Champions League tie for the first time since 2020.
Despite all of that, it is still only 2-0, and Liverpool have overcome bigger hurdles in the past. Ahead of the return leg on 14th April, the Reds may look to invoke the spirit of 2019. Looking dead and buried following a 3-0 defeat at the Nou Camp, Liverpool produced a remarkable performance to beat Barcelona 4-0 in the second leg at a rocking Anfield, en route to victory over Spurs in an all-English final.
For those anticipating a similar turnaround in 2026, Liverpool are priced at a general 9/2 to qualify for the semi-finals and a 40/1 chance to claim the Champions League title.
Top 5 Finish in Their Own Hands
With Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Atletico Madrid favourites to progress from their respective quarter-finals, Liverpool will have their work cut out to make it to the final in Hungary on 30th May. If Slot is to achieve the bare minimum objective of Champions League qualification, he is most likely to do so via Liverpool’s league position.
With the English clubs once again faring well in Europe, fifth place will be enough for Champions League qualification. With seven league games remaining, Liverpool occupy that crucial fifth position, lying one point ahead of Liam Rosenior’s ball-respecting Chelsea outfit, two points clear of Brentford, and three points clear of bitter rivals Everton, who are enjoying a resurgent season under David Moyes.
If Liverpool win their remaining fixtures, they will secure fifth position and may even overhaul one or both of Aston Villa and Manchester United to secure a place in the top four. While that all sounds positive, Liverpool face one of the toughest run-ins in the league, with six of their seven remaining games against opposition currently in the top nine in the table:
Liverpool Remaining Premier League Fixtures
- Liverpool vs Fulham – 11th April 2026
- Everton vs Liverpool – 19th April 2026
- Liverpool vs Crystal Palace – 25th April 2026
- Manchester United vs Liverpool – 3rd May 2026
- Liverpool vs Chelsea – 9th May 2026
- Aston Villa vs Liverpool – 17th May 2026
- Liverpool vs Brentford – 24th May 2026
Unlikely to be afforded too many slip-ups, Liverpool’s remaining games are laden with peril. A first derby at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, an always fiery trip to Old Trafford, and a home clash with Chelsea stand out as games which may define Liverpool’s season. Despite that great difficulty level, Liverpool are priced at a general 1/2 to secure a top five finish and 19/10 to break into the top four.
The Price of Failure
Unless the Reds overcome the odds to claim the Champions League trophy, a finish outside the top five may see Slot out of a job – only a year after his spectacular debut season. At a best price of 11/8, Slot is the joint favourite in the “Next Premier League Manager to Leave his Post” market, alongside Oliver Glasner, who has already confirmed that he will leave Crystal Palace in the summer.