Liverpool are still eyeing their first Premier League win of 2026 as they prepare to face Newcastle United.
The Reds hammered Qarabag 6-0 on Wednesday evening to book their place in the last-16 of the Champions League.
However, we have already seen this month that success in Europe does not translate to improved league form.
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Are you confident Liverpool will beat Newcastle United this weekend?
Dominik Szoboszlai during Liverpool v Barnsley - Emirates FA Cup Third Round
Credit: Liverpool FC/Getty Images
We are yet to win a Premier League game in 2026…
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After a good showing against Marseille the week prior, Liverpool were beaten 3-2 by Bournemouth this past Saturday.
The Cherries had won one in 13 before that victory, and the stark contrast between the Reds’ league and European form has become frustrating.
Arne Slot explains Liverpool’s form in the Premier League and Champions League
In turn, Arne Slot was asked about Liverpool’s struggles in the Premier League versus the Champions League in his pre-Newcastle United press conference.
The Dutchman gave a long explanation, pointing towards the quality of English football, the high load his players are facing, set pieces, and the differing styles of play between the two competitions.
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He said: “If you look at the top eight [Champions League table] there are five English clubs, so that tells you a lot about the strength of the Premier League.
“I said before the game what has maybe impacted our results in the Premier League as well is the amount of games we’ve played, mainly the same players, so the load was constantly towards the same players.
“I think we’ve seen that in some games, we struggled with that, especially earlier on in the season. Some players need to adjust to that rhythm. And later on in the season, because we’ve played so many games now, the same players have to play that game during the week, have impacted sometimes parts of our games in the weekend.
“But in general, I think it’s also safe to say there is also a lot more physicality in the Premier League than there is in the Champions League. I did not see one long-throw from Qarabag or Marseille; set pieces are at a different level. Our set pieces against Qarabag, every time we got one, I was expecting us to score. There was always a chance. So that part of the game is much more developed here in England.
“The Premier League has become more of a box game, where in the Champions League it’s a bit more, also play.”
What have you made of Slot’s recent press conferences?
The Dutchman is starting to annoy a LOT of people 😱
Arne Slot speaking to the media after Bournemouth v Liverpool - Premier League
Photo by Shaun Brooks – CameraSport via Getty Images
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Arne Slot may need Premier League to save Liverpool season
While fans must be glad to see the recent European results, unless they win the Champions League, it doesn’t really matter.
The race for the Premier League top-four/five is the biggest factor in saving the season, but Liverpool’s form in the league is worrying Jamie Carragher.
They have already slipped down to 6th in the table behind Manchester United and Chelsea, and are only three points above 11th going into the latest gameweek.
Should Liverpool fail to qualify for next season’s Champions League, it’s hard to see how the current campaign can be classed as anything but a failure.
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