Liverpool’s Premier League Title Defence Among All-Time Lows

Liverpool Premier League title defence is rapidly becoming one of the most disappointing in the league’s history, as Arne Slot’s side struggles to find form only months after their championship triumph. With the club languishing in 11th place, fans and pundits alike are drawing comparisons to some of the most infamous title defence collapses in Premier League history.

Liverpool’s Nightmare Title Defence: What Went Wrong?

The 2025/26 season began with optimism for Liverpool after their second Premier League victory under Arne Slot. However, a disastrous run of form has seen the club lose six of their first 12 matches, falling 11 points behind leaders Arsenal. This dramatic downturn is even more shocking considering the Reds topped the table in September. A 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace sparked a collapse, with a demoralizing 3-0 loss at home to Nottingham Forest highlighting their struggles.

Despite a record-breaking £450 million summer spend, new signings like Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, and Milos Kerkez have yet to deliver, while the departure of academy star Trent Alexander-Arnold has disrupted the squad’s balance. The tragic passing of Diogo Jota has also impacted team morale, further compounding on-field woes.

Historical Perspective: Worst Premier League Title Defences

This season’s Liverpool Premier League title defence ranks among the most disappointing, but they are not alone. Several past champions have endured similarly difficult campaigns:

6. Liverpool 2020-21

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool followed up their 99-point title win in 2019-20 with a third-place finish after major injuries and a behind-closed-doors season. Key players like Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah missed extended periods, and a mid-season slump saw the Reds lose six straight home games.

5. Blackburn Rovers 1995-96

After their fairy-tale title in 1994-95, Blackburn’s defence faltered. Poor early results left them near the relegation zone, and while a late-season rally saw them finish seventh, they missed out on Europe and sold star striker Alan Shearer soon after.

4. Leicester City 2016-17

Leicester’s miraculous 2015-16 title campaign was followed by a struggle to avoid relegation. The loss of N’Golo Kante and internal turmoil saw them battling at the wrong end of the table for much of the season, leading to the sacking of Claudio Ranieri and a 12th-place finish.

3. Leeds United 1992-93

Though technically not defending a Premier League title, Leeds started as reigning English champions but slumped to 17th, just two points clear of relegation, after a season of turmoil and the mid-year sale of Eric Cantona to rivals Manchester United.

2. Chelsea 2015-16

Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea, champions by 13 points the previous year, plummeted to 16th before Mourinho’s sacking amid dressing room unrest and high-profile controversies. Interim boss Guus Hiddink steadied the ship for a mid-table finish, but the damage was done.

1. Manchester United 2013-14

David Moyes’ ill-fated tenure saw United fall from champions to seventh, failing to qualify for Europe and posting their worst Premier League points total. The club has not lifted the trophy since, highlighting the long-term impact of a poor title defence.

Can Liverpool Recover This Season?

While Manchester United once managed to recover from a poor start to retain their title in 1996-97, the historical trend suggests that Liverpool face a monumental challenge if they hope to mount a comeback this season. The scale of the current crisis, combined with a lack of cohesion in the new-look squad, means that matching or even approaching last year’s heights looks increasingly unlikely.

Liverpool Premier League Title Defence and the Lessons of History

The Reds’ current plight offers a cautionary tale about the difficulties of sustaining success in the Premier League. With so many examples of champions faltering when defending their crown, the pressures of expectation, squad changes, and off-field tragedies can be overwhelming. Liverpool’s season may not be beyond saving, but they must act quickly to avoid being remembered for one of the worst title defences in history.

Opinion: Slot Faces The Ultimate Test

In my view, Arne Slot stands at a crossroads. The weight of expectation at Anfield is immense, and history shows how quickly fortunes can change. While the challenges are significant, decisive leadership and unity could still turn Liverpool’s fortunes around. For now, however, their Liverpool Premier League title defence is a stark reminder that retaining success in English football is never guaranteed.

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