The 2025-2026 season is gradually closing with Liverpool in a state of half hope, half doubt. Under coach Arne Slot, the Merseyside team still shows certain rays of light, but at the same time also reveals a series of systemic problems. This is what makes the belief in a complete revival still very fragile.
It is undeniable that Liverpool once had a strong "sprint" tradition in the late season under coach Jurgen Klopp. In the 2020-2021 season, they won 8/10 final matches to win tickets to the UEFA Champions League, and two years later also had an impressive winning streak to create momentum for the next season. However, that scenario does not seem to repeat itself at present. Despite impressive victories, Liverpool still lacks the necessary stability to create a real breakthrough.
The recent defeat to Manchester United is clear evidence of inherent problems. Slot's team not only started slowly but also often collapsed at decisive moments. They conceded up to 17 goals from set pieces - the worst number in the club's Premier League era. At the same time, conceding up to 16 goals in the last 15 minutes of the match shows a big problem in both fitness and competitive psychology.
One of the deeper causes lies in the force situation. Continuous injuries have caused Liverpool's squad to be constantly disrupted, forcing key players to work overloaded. Even expensive contracts like Alexander Isak cannot contribute stably due to fitness issues, raising doubts about the club's transfer strategy.
In midfield, the imbalance becomes even more apparent. Dominik Szoboszlai is a rare bright spot with stable form, while Alexis Mac Allister disappointed when his form declined. His mistakes in the match against Man United even directly contributed to the goals conceded. This makes Liverpool lack a true "shield" in front of the defense.
The Kop's defense is also not much better. Besides Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, Liverpool almost does not have any more strong players in aerial duels. This makes them easily exploited in set pieces - a weakness that has been thoroughly exploited by many opponents throughout the season.
Not only is it a professional issue, the fighting spirit is also a big question mark for the Anfield home team. Losing many matches in injury time shows that Liverpool lacks bravery in crucial moments. Captain Van Dijk even admitted that losing too many matches as the defending champion is unacceptable.
In that context, Slot still believes that next season will be better. The reason he gave is that the new players will adapt better and the team will minimize injuries. But this belief is not really convincing, because the current problems are not only in personnel factors but also in squad structure and tactical operation.
Liverpool clearly needs a strong reform. They must add a quality defensive midfielder, increase the depth of the squad and find replacements for key players who may leave such as Mohamed Salah or Andy Robertson. Otherwise, the gap with opponents like Arsenal or Manchester City will widen.
In short, Liverpool is currently still a team with great potential but lacks perfection. What they show this season is more like an unfinished sketch than a complete picture. If core issues are not thoroughly resolved, the prospect of returning to the top like the Klopp era may still be far away.
The gap between whether we win or lose in a match like this is not too big. I know quite well what Liverpool needs to improve. Not many things can change throughout the season. Of course, tactically, we can change a few things. That is quite clear and we will improve it next season" - Slot shared.
