The Title They Couldn’t Keep: Liverpool’s Collapse Asks Hard Questions About What Comes Next

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A season which began with the optimism of defending champions ends with Liverpool fans at Anfield booing at full time and a summer of structural reckoning ahead. Twelve months ago, Liverpool were champions of England, Arne Slot’s first season delivering a title that few had genuinely anticipated given the upheaval of Jürgen Klopp’s departure.

Ryan Gravenberch had Liverpool ahead after a sharp early move, only for Enzo Fernandez to level with a free-kick which exposed the passivity that has become Liverpool’s default mode once they concede. The frustration was visible on every player’s face at the final whistle.The Numbers Don’t LieThe statistical picture of Liverpool’s 2025/26 season is damning in its detail.

The season’s top scorer is Erling Haaland, who has plundered 24 league goals for Manchester City, a figure which underlines how Liverpool’s absence of a genuine focal point up front has cost them whenever results demanded something beyond organised possession.Liverpool were unable to defend their Premier League crown, having won their 20th English top-flight title last year. According to the Premier League’s official statistics, set-piece goals have accounted for a growing share of goals across the division in 2025/26, with Liverpool among the sides most consistently punished from dead-ball situations.Wayne Rooney, speaking on Match of the Day after last Saturday’s draw, was direct in his assessment.