The Cracks Were Always There: Liverpool's Season of Déjà Vu

Remember that 2-2 draw at Brighton back in October? Or the 3-3 thriller against Fulham on the opening day? We all saw the goals, the relentless pressing, the beautiful football. But if you were watching closely, you also saw the soft underbelly, the defensive lapses that have plagued Liverpool all season, eventually costing them a shot at the Premier League title. Craig Burley isn't wrong when he says these issues have been consistent. The Reds conceded 41 goals in the league this year, their highest tally since the 2015-16 campaign when they let in 50. That's not just a blip; it's a trend.

Think about the dropped points. Three points squandered at Old Trafford in April after leading 2-1, ultimately drawing 2-2. Then the Merseyside derby, a baffling 2-0 defeat to Everton, where they looked disjointed and lacking bite. That loss effectively ended their title hopes. Those aren't isolated incidents. They're symptoms of a deeper problem, one that revolves around an inability to shut games down. Virgil van Dijk, usually a rock, looked uncharacteristically shaky at times. Trent Alexander-Arnold's defensive vulnerabilities were exploited repeatedly, particularly in big games like the 3-1 loss to Arsenal in February, where Martinelli ran riot. The midfield, despite the summer overhaul bringing in Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, never quite provided the consistent screen needed.

The Klopp Farewell Tour ran out of steam, and frankly, some of it was self-inflicted.

**The Familiar Narrative of Stumbles**

Here’s the thing: you can't point to one specific moment. This wasn't a sudden collapse. It was a slow, agonizing bleed of points, often in situations where Liverpool should have dominated. Against West Ham in April, they again dropped points, drawing 2-2 after leading. That’s five points dropped in draws against Fulham, Brighton, Manchester United, and West Ham—all games they arguably should have won, or at least held onto a lead. Those marginal gains, or losses in this case, are what separate champions from contenders. Manchester City, by contrast, rarely faltered when ahead. They just kept grinding out wins, like their 1-0 victory over Chelsea in February or their professional 2-0 win against Nottingham Forest in April.

Liverpool's xG conceded, according to FBref, was 44.5, meaning they actually *overperformed* defensively by allowing fewer goals than expected. That sounds good, but it also suggests Alisson Becker was bailing them out more often than not. When the Brazilian was injured, Caoimhin Kelleher stepped in, and while he had some bright moments, the defense often looked less assured. The lack of a truly dominant defensive midfielder, a proper Fabinho replacement, proved costly. Wataru Endo, while a valiant effort, isn't that player for 90 minutes against top-tier opposition.

My hot take? Liverpool's biggest mistake wasn't in the transfer market, but in their tactical inflexibility. Klopp stuck to his guns, and while it brought incredible success, it also made them predictable in their vulnerabilities. The high line, the aggressive press – brilliant when it works, suicidal when it doesn't.

Arne Slot has a massive job on his hands. He needs to find a way to make this team defensively robust without sacrificing their attacking flair. My bold prediction: Slot's first season will see Liverpool finish outside the top three as he rebuilds the defensive spine, leading to a period of adjustment.