Judging Liverpool at present is tough. It’s difficult to make a definitive assessment on where this team is at.
On one hand, it is undeniably the best in the land; a quick glance at the table tells you that. Liverpool made it to the Carabao Cup final, pushed a magnificent Paris Saint-Germain team all the way in the Champions League and, until Sunday, had gone 26 Premier League matches unbeaten.
And yet, the Reds have been questioned in recent weeks after timid displays against Fulham and Newcastle United have coincided with underwhelming 45-minute showings against Southampton and Wolverhampton Wanders of late, plus an abject showing in Paris where somehow Liverpool managed to come away with a victory.
Arne Slot and Virgil van Dijk rightly bristled when asked whether “just” winning the Premier League title should be deemed a successful season. This has been an incredible debut campaign for Slot, but there’s a sense his side’s levels have subsided as the season has progressed.
The stats back that up. Since the turn of the year, Liverpool has failed to win 10 of its 22 games, losing six. That might not seem concerning, but in comparison, Liverpool slipped up just three times in the final 22 games of 2024 and didn’t lose once. Draw your own conclusions.
Perhaps those standards were always going to be tough to maintain, especially with injuries and fatigue building, but the rate at which things have declined should have alarm bells ringing.
A blase post-match chat at Craven Cottage about the worst performances of the season so far also summed things up. Away at PSG? The first half against Southampton? Or the Carabao Cup final? All are worthy candidates, but the performance at Fulham is another frontrunner.
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Liverpool were overawed by Marco Silva’s team, dominated for an hour either side of half-time, with a sense of frantic chaos evident that hasn’t been witnessed before this season. Defensively, it was almost certainly the nadir of the campaign to date. All three goals were gifted to Fulham and each member of the starting back five can hold their hands up in apology for at least one goal.
The decline in individual performance levels is also disquieting. Ibrahima Konate was replaced in the second half at Fulham, concluding a disastrous display just days after he was bullied by Beto at Goodison Park. That Konate also endured a turgid international break for France is further cause for concern.
Van Dijk, uncharacteristically, had moments to forget against Fulham and Everton. Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai and Diogo Jota also struggled on Sunday, but it’s the drop off in Mohamed Salah’s standards that is most stark. No goals in four and none in seven from open play is staggering for a player who couldn’t stop scoring just a few weeks ago. The record for most goals in a single Premier League season is surely gone, while the assists record is also under threat now.
Unsurprisingly there were signs of frustration from Curtis Jones when the Egyptian didn’t track back at Craven Cottage, while Van Dijk slamming the ball to the ground and Slot almost running from the dugout at half-time indicated how furious Liverpool was beneath the surface on Sunday.
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There were some positives though, including the Luis Diaz-propeled fightback at the end, and Conor Bradley‘s return from injury. The two combined in the second period to net what proved to be an insignificant second goal, but at the time it appeared to be the first signs of a possible comeback.
It didn’t materialize and, instead, Liverpool was left to reflect on a third defeat in four in all competitions. It’s not good – but it won’t dampen or derail the season.
Liverpool will want to get a handle on things, though, and end the season strongly. Heading into what increasingly feels like an important summer transfer window on a positive note could be crucial. Getting Van Dijk and Salah to pen new deals would also help – that’s not a verdict based on performances over the last few weeks.
Finish strongly. Sort the contracts. Strengthen the squad this summer. It’s easier said than done. But Slot needs all three if Liverpool is to establish itself long term as the country’s best side.
