The last time Liverpool suffered a three-game losing streak, their situation was vastly different from the present.
That was back in April 2023. After a humiliating 1-4 defeat to the dominant Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, Jurgen Klopp sadly admitted that the team was drifting further away from next season’s Champions League qualification. Back then, the Reds were an aging squad showing obvious signs of fatigue and in urgent need of a revamp, requiring a complete midfield overhaul that summer.
However, after last weekend’s stoppage-time winner at Stamford Bridge dealt another blow, pessimistic narratives seemed to predict yet another season collapse. In today’s trend-following world of football, last season’s "team of the world" has suddenly become a thing of the past. More and more people overlook the fine line between victory and defeat, as black-and-white anger has replaced rational thinking.
Following Estevão’s winning goal at Stamford Bridge last Saturday – which inflicted another heavy setback on Liverpool – the international break could not have come at a better time for the defending Premier League champions, as there was no positive momentum to interrupt in the first place.
The next two weeks will give Arne Slot the chance to reflect and figure out how to pull Liverpool out of the hole they have dug themselves into. Early in the season, results helped mask subpar performances, but over the frustrating past week, this "fig leaf" has been abruptly torn away, exposing their weaknesses for all to see.
While Slot does need to address numerous issues – evident from the defeats to Crystal Palace, Galatasaray, and Chelsea – there are strong reasons to believe this slump will not worsen.
Consider the opponents Liverpool has already faced: in the first seven Premier League games, Slot’s side has taken on five teams currently in the top eight. Compared to their record at the same stage last season, they have even picked up one more point. In contrast, Arsenal, who currently top the standings, have only faced two teams in the current top eight and earned just one point against Liverpool and Manchester City.
Furthermore, despite the club’s inconsistent performances, Liverpool came agonizingly close to taking points at both Selhurst Park and Stamford Bridge. Their away defeat to Galatasaray also involved a controversial penalty decision. Claims that the Reds’ record-breaking summer spending would allow them to easily overwhelm opponents have ignored the inevitable adjustment period that follows a major squad overhaul.
Critics of the new signings seem to have forgotten that Roberto Firmino, Andrew Robertson, and Fabinho all struggled when they first arrived at Anfield, only to eventually become cornerstones of championship-winning teams. Alexander Isak, the £125 million last-minute signing, missed most pre-season preparations due to refusing to train, and the club had already expected to see him at his best only around mid-to-late October. His involvement in Sweden’s World Cup qualifiers during this international break presents the perfect opportunity to regain match rhythm.
As for Florian Wirtz, although he has not yet fully adapted to the pace of the Premier League, Opta statistics show that no player in Europe's top five leagues has created more chances (22) in all competitions this season. Those within the club believe the €116 million man’s talent is destined to shine in the coming months. Looking ahead to Manchester United’s visit to Anfield on October 19, Mohamed Salah – who has often wasted chances recently – tends to rise to the occasion; he has scored 16 goals in 17 appearances for the Reds against the Red Devils.
Giorgi Mamardashvili’s solid debut against Chelsea demonstrated that even with Alisson sidelined for a month with a hamstring injury, the goalkeeper position remains reassuring. Virgil van Dijk’s leadership is also key to turning the tide; the experienced captain will never allow the dressing room to wallow in self-pity.
Slot’s achievement of leading the team to a title immediately after taking over the legendary role is itself a testament to his tactical acumen and managerial wisdom. Despite a turbulent summer, Liverpool is currently only one point behind the league leaders. The growing pains of a transitional period are inevitable, but the quality of the dressing room and the competence of the decision-makers all suggest that the dark clouds will eventually lift.
