Liverpool's Familiar Flaw: A Season of Self-Sabotage

Kieran Gibbs hit the nail on the head after Liverpool’s chaotic 2-2 draw with Tottenham. "This is the story of Liverpool's season," he said, and it’s hard to argue. We’re in late April, and the Reds have coughed up 20 points from winning positions in the Premier League. That's a staggering figure, the kind that makes you wonder if they even *want* to be in the Champions League next year.

Think back to just a few weeks ago: April 9th, at home against Arsenal. Liverpool were down 2-0 after 28 minutes, battled back to 2-2, and then Trent Alexander-Arnold nearly won it in stoppage time. Anfield was rocking, the momentum palpable. Two weeks later, they were up 3-1 at West Ham and let the Hammers pull one back, settling for a 2-2 draw. And now, against Spurs, a 3-0 lead became 3-3 in the 93rd minute before Diogo Jota saved their blushes in the 94th. It's a recurring nightmare, a pattern of vulnerability that’s become their calling card.

Real talk: Jürgen Klopp's team isn't bad. Far from it. They've scored 67 goals in the league, only Manchester City and Arsenal have more. Mohamed Salah has 18 league goals, just three behind Erling Haaland. But the defensive lapses, the inability to kill off games, it’s criminal. Liverpool have conceded 42 goals this season, already five more than their entire 2021-22 campaign when they challenged for the quadruple. That’s not just unlucky, that’s a systemic issue.

The Midfield Muddle

Here's the thing: you can point fingers at individual errors, sure. Alisson Becker’s mistake against Wolves in January, or Virgil van Dijk not tracking a runner. But the real problem lies deeper, in the engine room. Fabinho, once the premier defensive midfielder in England, looks a step slow too often. Thiago Alcântara, when fit, offers creativity but not the defensive steel required. Jordan Henderson, bless his heart, can’t cover the ground he once did.

The truth is, Liverpool’s midfield has been crying out for an overhaul for at least two seasons. They’ve relied on the same core for too long, and age catches up to everyone. When you have an attack as potent as Salah, Darwin Núñez, and Cody Gakpo, you need a midfield that can protect your back four and sustain pressure. Instead, they’re getting carved open too easily, forcing their defenders into desperate situations. That 3-0 lead against Tottenham? It evaporated because Spurs waltzed through the middle third with alarming ease.

Look, this isn't just about this season. Liverpool’s recruitment strategy, particularly in midfield, has been baffling since they won the league in 2020. They’ve spent big on forwards like Núñez (€75 million) and Gakpo (€42 million), but relatively little on the crucial midfield rebuild. Compare that to Arsenal, who brought in Declan Rice for £105 million this summer, or even Chelsea with Enzo Fernández (£106 million). You have to pay for quality in the middle, and Liverpool have been hesitant.

This isn't just a blip; it's a trend. And if they don't address it with serious investment this summer, specifically in two top-tier, high-energy midfielders, they won't just miss out on the Champions League next year – they’ll be battling for Europa League spots again. Expect them to finish outside the top four for the first time since 2016.