Liverpool's season has taken a dramatic turn for the worse, with the club now staring at the grim prospect of missing out on an automatic spot in the Champions League knockout stages. This potential failure marks a significant blow for manager Arne Slot, who identified securing a direct route as a critical objective.
Anfield Defeat Extends Woeful Run
The full extent of the crisis became clear following a 4-1 home defeat to Dutch side PSV Eindhoven at Anfield. This result is part of a deeply concerning pattern for the Reds, who have now lost a staggering nine of their last 12 matches across all competitions. The team's current trajectory places them well outside the positions needed for a straightforward progression in Europe's premier club tournament.
Analysing the group stage standings reveals the scale of the challenge. Liverpool currently languish in 13th place, with only the top eight teams advancing directly to the last-16. While mathematical hope remains with three group games left—against Inter Milan, Marseille, and Qarabag—the odds are now stacked against them.
Supercomputer Predicts Playoff Peril
According to the latest projections from Opta's supercomputer, Liverpool are most likely to finish 11th when the league stage concludes. This outcome would condemn them to a high-stakes playoff round for a chance to reach the round of 16.
Falling into the playoffs opens up a nightmare scenario for Slot's squad. The potential draw is fraught with danger, with European heavyweights like Barcelona, Bayer Leverkusen, Tottenham, Newcastle, Galatasaray, Juventus, and Napoli all anticipated to be among the teams contesting the same round.
This predicted fate is a world away from the club's performance just last season. Under previous management, Liverpool topped their Champions League group, securing seven wins from eight games. The stark contrast highlights the dramatic shift in fortunes at Anfield.
Defensive Frailty at the Heart of the Problem
A primary factor in this season's struggles appears to be a collapse in defensive solidity. Last campaign, the Merseysiders were a fortress, conceding just five goals and keeping five clean sheets during the Champions League group phase. This time around, they have already let in eight goals, a statistic that underscores their vulnerability.
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has been vocal in his criticism, pinpointing the defence as the core issue. He stated, "No it's not [acceptable], they're conceding too many goals, they're wide open, they're vulnerable and unstable." Gerrard also noted the telling sight of empty seats at Anfield, suggesting a growing disillusionment among the fanbase.
The pressure is mounting on Arne Slot to find solutions quickly. With the spectre of a difficult playoff tie looming and domestic form in tatters, the Dutch manager faces a defining period in his tenure at one of football's most demanding clubs.
