Liverpool's 4-2 defeat at Aston Villa marked number 20 for the campaign (including the Community Shield penalty shootout defeat to Crystal Palace).
It hasn't been good enough for a long while. Maybe you'd have to trace back to the build-up to the defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in the last 32 of the Champions League last season to find a fluent and sustained run of form under Arne Slot's management.
Relaxing standards toward the end of the 2024/25 season was forgivable. After all, the Reds had barnstormed past their Premier League opponents and were well ahead.
Rodgers vs Slot at Liverpool
Rodgers (14/15)
38
18
8
12
52
48
62 (1.63)
But this season has been inexcusable, and shouts for Slot's sacking are intensifying. Much of the noise is being directed toward the flagging frontline, but the midfielders are at the core of the problem, and changes are expected.
How Liverpool plan to fix their midfield
Alexis Mac Allister has earned his flowers for his title-winning efforts over the past several years at Liverpool, but there's no denying that he has fallen off a proverbial cliff this season, and a summer exit looks likely.
The 27-year-old has been drained of his athleticism and confidence on the ball, and with reports mounting regarding interest from Spanish suitors, FSG need to quickly identify a replacement.
Well, according to TEAMtalk, Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga is at the top of Liverpool's shopping list, though they face rival interest from Manchester United.
The 23-year-old is looking for a fresh challenge amid a mountain of problems at Santiago Bernabeu, with talks already held with both Liverpool and United, the pair having been 'spoken to' by the players' representatives.
Madrid, as per the report, would be looking for a fee of around £50m, if they were to sanction a sale.
Real Madrid's Eduardo Camavinga
Given Liverpool's need for a robust central profile, this is certainly one to keep an eye on.
The France international would be a fantastic addition, someone who is capable of upgrading on Mac Allister and providing Liverpool with some more meat in the centre of the park.
Why Camavinga would be a Mac Allister upgrade for Liverpool
Camavinga hasn't been at the races for Real Madrid this season, but he's still been among the most impressive midfielders in La Liga, proving the likes of analyst Raj Chohan right in developing into a player who is "going to be world-class", as he predicted in 2022.
League Form Comparison (2025/26)
Stats (* per 90)
Matches (starts)
Goals + Assists
Touches*
Accurate passes*
Big chances created
Key passes*
Possession lost*
Succ. dribbles*
Ball recoveries*
Tackles + interceptions*
Clearances*
Duels won*
So crisp and assured on the ball, Camavinga is not as natural a playmaker as Mac Allister, but Liverpool don't need a like-for-like replacement.
Instead, someone of Camavinga's steely quality could bear dividends for an outfit who have been far too brittle and porous this season. The Frenchman has been hailed as "one of the best 6s in world football" by writer Harvey Diamonds.
Mac Allister has not only struggled on an individual level, but had a knock-on effect that has damaged the likes of Ryan Gravenberch, who needs a physical partner to thrive in his deep midfield role, and the backline, who have now conceded 51 top-flight goals this season, the most ever in a single Premier League campaign.
It's no steep statement to assert that Liverpool need to wipe the slate clean this summer, and if they are sticking with Slot, as seems to be FSG's stance, then a midfield rewrite is essential.
Eduardo Camavinga
Camavinga needs a change of scenery, and having already proved himself among the best in the world, instrumental in winning league and Champions League for probably the biggest club in the world.
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Liverpool were dealt a 20th defeat of the season against Aston Villa in the Premier League.