Liverpool and Arne Slot have not performed to the level they were expecting this season, with Arsenal and Man City in the top two positions but neither particularly amazing
18:59, 25 Jan 2026
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta embrace.
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta embrace.(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Michael Carrick, it appears, is at the wheel. And with Liverpool now trailing both Manchester United and Chelsea in the race for the Champions League places, the drop-off that the Reds are experiencing is even clearer.
After losing late on against Bournemouth this weekend, Liverpool offered the chance for the two teams most likely to overtake in the race for the Champions League too much of a carrot. Carrick's side won at Arsenal, while Liam Rosenior's good early results at Chelsea continued with a victory over Crystal Palace.
Liverpool simply has to find a way of being more consistent than the teams above it. Right now, though, last season's champion is struggling to put together a coherent 90 minutes, let alone a strong few weeks.
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It has fallen some way in the last few months. Only in May, Slot and his players were dancing around with the Premier League trophy. Since then, it has long become obvious they won't be doing so again this time around.
One of Arsenal or Manchester City is going to win the title — although Aston Villa won well at Newcastle and remains in contention — and for Liverpool, that should be a kick in the teeth.
Arsenal is on course to finish on 82 points this season at the current rate. Liverpool beat that total last season even when skiving off the last handful of games.
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 24: Arne Slot manager / head coach of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Liverpool at Vitality Stadium on January 24, 2026 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
Arne Slot during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Liverpool at Vitality Stadium on January 24, 2026(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
Manchester City, meanwhile, is only four points behind the Gunners after beating Wolves, and will surely, even with a deficit to overcome, be smelling blood.
Though Liverpool is substantially worse than both teams that could take its crown, it is also true that neither Arsenal nor Manchester City is at the level of some truly exceptional title-winning sides in recent years.
Liverpool came close a number of times under Jurgen Klopp with points totals sometimes high into the 90s not being enough. This time, someone far worse is going to come out on top.
Had Liverpool dropped off only a short amount this season rather than the gulf that has transpired, it would have been there or thereabouts right now.
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Had the Reds been within touching distance at this point in the campaign, they would have fancied their chances.
Even had they not dropped seven points from goals conceded in stoppage time this season, they would have had an outside chance.
Arsenal is a good team, with solid depth and a penchant for set-pieces, but it is not free-flowing or exciting. Mikel Arteta is safety-first and his side lacks some stardust.
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Manchester City, at the same time, is overly reliant on Erling Haaland and showed its flaws midweek in a dire defeat to Bodo-Glimt in the Champions League.
That Liverpool is not only unable to compete but is also having to battle to keep pace with the next rung down of teams is a brutal reminder of how far it has fallen.