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How Liverpool’s fortunes have unravelled and why another defeat against Nottingham Forest today is simply unthinkable
The Christmas decorations have not even gone up yet and it already feels as though Liverpool’s hopes of retaining their Premier League title are over.
The Reds were crowned champions of England for the 20th time in Arne Slot’s first season in charge last term, but now lag eight points behind leaders Arsenal.
Ahead of today’s home clash with lowly Nottingham Forest, DAZN News’ Ross Heppenstall assesses where it has all gone wrong for Liverpool this season.
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Huge summer spending spree has not worked
One of the secrets of Liverpool’s success in the good old days was following a league title with a huge summer signing.
It made a champion team even stronger and was a policy Sir Alex Ferguson adopted during his legendary spell in charge of hated rivals Manchester United.
Liverpool spent a staggering £415million – the biggest summer spending spree in European football history – on the likes of Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Few, though, have proved a success in the opening months of the season and Isak did not even make it off the bench when Liverpool were humbled 3-0 at Manchester City last time out.
Out went the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez and Caoimhín Kelleher for around £210million in what represented a major overhaul of a squad who had just been crowned champions.
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Devastating loss of Diogo Jota being keenly felt
Do not underestimate how deeply the death of Jota has affected many of Liverpool’s players.
The Portugal winger was killed in a car crash in July at the age of 28.
Left-back Andy Robertson spoke with raw emotion about Jota’s loss after Scotland beat Denmark 4-2 to qualify for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday night.
Robertson, who was particularly close to Jota, said: “I couldn't get my mate Diogo Jota out of my head today.
“We spoke so much about going to the World Cup because he missed the last one with Portugal and I did with Scotland. I know he'll be smiling over me today.”
His tragic death also left Liverpool without one of their most talismanic players. Do not overlook that either.
Slot said: “I saw the interview [with Robertson] live and I know that it is an issue for us, which is completely normal.
“At this moment in time, I always think how must it feel for his wife and his children?
“It is so, so, so much harder for them than it is for us. But that we will miss the player and the person is completely clear.”
Mohamed Salah has looked out of sorts at times this season, perhaps also a legacy of Jota’s death, but there can be no doubt his passing cast a huge shadow over the entire squad.
New signings yet to make themselves at home
For all the eye-watering sums that Liverpool lavished on new players during the summer, few have yet to justify their price tags.
Isak has struggled with injuries and scored just once, Kerkez has been hit and miss, while Wirtz has been the biggest disappointment of all.
Ekitike has, at least, shown some hugely promising signs and weighed in with a few goals too.
But overall, the new signings have yet to deliver and Slot will hope that changes quickly.
Certainly, Isak, a £125million British transfer record signing, must surely find his fitness and form at some point.
He is proven in English football and earned a reputation as one of Europe’s most feared strikers during his time at Newcastle.
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Defensive shortcomings exposed
Captain Virgil van Dijk has come under fire at times this season, even clashing with former Everton and Manchester United striker-turned-pundit Wayne Rooney over his form.
Kerkez has also come in for criticism but Ibrahima Konaté’s displays have perhaps been the biggest cause for concern.
The whole defence, though, has wobbled alarmingly in too many games. That cannot be denied.
Liverpool tried and failed to sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi during the summer but with his contract due to expire at the end of the season, could the Eagles cash in on him in January?
Slot certainly needs defensive reinforcements for the second half of the season.
Where do Liverpool go from here?
A club that exists to win trophies may have blown their chances of retaining the Premier League title, but all is not lost. Far from it.
Slot’s men are more than capable of finishing in the top four and still have two major cup competitions to go for.
They are progressing nicely in the Champions League with three wins from their first four games and have the FA Cup to look forward to in January.
After a horror run of seven defeats in their last 10 games in all competitions, it is time for some serious progress.
Liverpool simply must beat Nottingham Forest – who won at Anfield last season – at home today and will expect to send PSV home empty-handed in next Wednesday's Champions League clash.
Then come games against West Ham, Sunderland and Leeds United.
All opportunities, theoretically at least, for Slot’s side to pick up maximum points and start climbing the table.
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