The past few weeks have shown a Liverpool that is totally different from the team that won the league last campaign. When Arne Slot’s Liverpool began their new era, optimism was high, as the Dutchman was seen as a quality replacement for the energetic Klopp.
Most fans would have thought the performance Liverpool put up against Real Madrid in the Champions League would give the team extra belief and motivation stepping into the Ethiad Stadium, but that wasn’t the case as Arne Slot’s Liverpool were outplayed, outclassed and suffered an embarrassing 3-0 loss to Manchester City in Pep Guardiola’s 1000th game as manager just before the November international break.
Arne Slot’s first season at Liverpool, where he won the league – and the early stages of his second – were filled with promise. Liverpool strung together impressive wins and showcased a brand of fluid, attacking football, and managed to keep key figures like Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, who finished the season with an impressive 28 goals and 18 assists – both productive and content.
The mood around the club was one of renewed belief, as Arne Slot’s Liverpool looked like a side capable of sustaining the standards set by Klopp.
On April 27, 2025 after thrashing Tottenham Hotspur 5-1, they were confirmed Kings of England. In just 11 months in charge, Arne Slot guided Liverpool to the Premier League crown – a victory built largely on the foundation Jurgen Klopp had laid.
Six months on from their league triumph, and with even more quality players added to the squad, Liverpool find themselves sitting eight on the Premier League table, eight points off the leaders Arsenal, after losing seven of their last 10 games in all competitions – their latest defeat coming against Manchester City, whose resurgence appears to have coincided with Liverpool’s loss of form.
And with Liverpool’s current displays raising eyebrows, many are beginning to question the Dutchman, asking if the season he won the league was truly down to his managerial brilliance – or simply the result of him using Jurgen Klopp’s blueprint, maintaining the core of a title-winning squad, and riding the momentum of a system that was already perfected before his arrival.
The Manchester United Defeat Exposed the Cracks
Under Klopp, Liverpool were known for their high-intensity pressing, also known as Gegenpressing – a relentless system where the team hunt in packs to win the ball back seconds after losing it.
And in Arne Slot’s first season at Liverpool, that identity largely remained intact. His team pressed with purpose, controlled possession with greater composure and maintained the same fighting spirit that made Klopp’s side so formidable.
But in his second season, Liverpool’s form has dipped massively and they’ve looked disjointed – the pressing no longer as coordinated, the build-up play slower, the defence sloppy and the transitions less sharp. The once-fluid movement that defined the team’s attack now feels hesitant, and it was made bare in the loss against Manchester United.
Although Cody Gakpo, who played on the wing, struck the post twice – moments that could have completely changed the outcome – but despite that, Arne Slot’s Liverpool’s display told a different story.
Against Manchester United, they hardly resembled a side that had spent a British record £449 million on new players, with more than £300 million of that investment poured into the attacking department alone.
Aspects of Liverpool’s Loss of Form
Defensive Instability and Early Concessions
In the Manchester City vs Liverpool game, the Reds could have gone behind after less than 15 minutes of play, but Haaland, who has been in the form of his life, surprisingly missed the penalty, but made up for it 14 minutes later.
In this campaign, Liverpool have conceded the opening goal within the first 15 minutes in all four of their recent league losses, including a 3-0 thrashing by Crystal Palace at Anfield and a shocking 3-2 defeat at Brentford.
Also, individual errors, such as Virgil van Dijk’s uncharacteristic misjudgments in duels, have compounded issues in a backline that once prided itself on clean sheets. And after just 11 games, Liverpool have already conceded 17 goals.
Attacking Bluntness and Over-Reliance on Ageing Stars
Reigning PFA Player of the Year, Mohamed Salah – now 33 – has scored only four league goals this season, a noticeable drop from his usual high standards. Much of this decline can be attributed to the collective struggles of Arne Slot’s Liverpool, whose inconsistent performances have disrupted their attacking rhythm.
The dip in Salah’s prolific output has raised questions about the team’s creativity, balance, and whether the new tactical approach under Slot has affected the Egyptian’s influence in the final third.
Against City, Liverpool managed just one shot on target throughout the entire game, a stark reflection of their attacking struggles and lack of cutting edge in the final third.
Big-money signing Hugo Ekitike has also endured a goal drought, finding the net just once in eight appearances. Fellow big-money arrival Alexander Isak has likewise struggled to establish himself as a regular starter under Arne Slot, while Florian Wirtz, another high-profile addition, is still searching for his first goal or assist in the league after 11 games.
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New Signings Struggling to Make an Impact
Across social media, eyebrows were raised when Liverpool announced the signing of Alexander Isak from Newcastle. To some, the acquisition of the Swedish international made no sense, given that the club had already secured an exciting striker in Hugo Ekitike.
Both are talented, both came with hefty price tags – but the real question lingered: who would start ahead of whom? Was it a smart investment, or a signing driven by fear of missing out?
So far, it’s Ekitike who has edged ahead, while Isak has struggled to adapt to his new surroundings and has battled a groin injury in recent weeks.
Milo Kerkez, too, has yet to replicate the performances that prompted Liverpool to invest £40 million in him, and Wirtz – who was scouted by Europe’s elite clubs – has been the most disappointing, with his only tangible contribution being two assists in the 5-1 win over Frankfurt.
Despite these early setbacks, it’s clear that Liverpool’s new signings are quality players adjusting to one of the world’s toughest leagues. Given time and patience from the fans, they are likely to find their rhythm, demonstrate their true potential, and eventually make the impact Liverpool had envisioned when bringing them to Anfield.
Is the Absence of Liverpool’s Flying Full-Backs Hurting the Team?
Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was sold to Real Madrid last season, was a key member of the team assembled by Klopp.
During his time at Anfield, the Englishman delivered 18 goals and 64 assists in the league from defence, making him a deadly weapon from set-pieces and even open play. But after his move to Spain, Liverpool sanctioned a deal for Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez, whose only attacking contribution so far this season is the lone goal he scored in his side’s 3-2 loss to Brentford in Gameweek 9.
Also, Andy Robertson, 31, a key figure under Klopp, has struggled to nail down a consistent starting spot in Arne Slot’s Liverpool, as the Dutch manager’s tactical setup often demands more inverted full-backs and positional discipline rather than the overlapping runs that once made the Scottish international so effective.
Conclusion
Next up for Liverpool after the November international break is a home clash against Nottingham Forest, where they will be eager to get back on track and climb higher on the Premier League table.
As the festive period approaches, fixtures will come thick and fast, putting the squad’s depth and resilience to the test. Addressing defensive vulnerabilities that have seen them concede early goals will be crucial, while they will also be hoping their talisman, Mohamed Salah, rediscovers the form that has made him one of the league’s most feared attackers. If Liverpool can tighten at the back and get Salah firing, they will be well-positioned to mount a serious challenge in the months ahead.
Slot’s first-season triumph, built on Klopp’s foundations, now faces its toughest test: Can he galvanise his team into playing with the intensity and attacking flair that they’ve been known for, despite the injuries to their new signings (Frimpong and Isak) and mounting pressure to finally get the Reds’ season back on track?
To achieve this, Liverpool’s new signings will be key, and their ability to adapt to Arne Slot’s system could restore Liverpool’s form and steer the club back into contention for the EPL title.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Action Plus
Recording Date: 09.11.2025
