Anfield feels a little different this January. Last year, the place was a fortress of noise and silverware, but as we look at the Barclays Premier League table Liverpool is currently occupying, the view isn't quite as lofty as it used to be. After 21 matches, the defending champions find themselves sitting in 4th place. It’s a strange spot for a team that dominated the previous campaign.
Honestly, the numbers tell a story of a team struggling for its identity under Arne Slot. They’ve managed 35 points so far. Compare that to Arsenal, who are absolutely flying at the top with 49. Even Manchester City and a surprisingly resilient Aston Villa are eight points clear of the Reds.
Where did the dominance go?
Liverpool’s record is... well, it’s mixed. 10 wins, 5 draws, and 6 losses. For a team with title ambitions, six losses by mid-January is a massive red flag. They’ve scored 32 goals, which sounds okay until you realize City has 45 and Arsenal has 40.
The goal difference is perhaps the most glaring issue. It's sitting at +4. Just four. To put that in perspective, Arsenal and Manchester City are both rocking a +26. If you're a Liverpool fan, seeing that single-digit number next to your name in the Barclays Premier League table Liverpool section is enough to make you reach for the Ibuprofen.
The Slot Machine: Why the Tactics Aren't Clicking
Arne Slot took over the heavy legacy of Jurgen Klopp, and the transition hasn't been a smooth ride. Recently, Slot admitted in a press conference that there’s a level of frustration beneath the surface. He wants more creativity. He knows this version of the squad is falling short of the "Anfield standard."
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The squad looks a bit stagnant. We’re seeing a heavy reliance on a small core of players, and injuries are starting to bite. Conor Bradley is out with a significant knee injury. That's a huge blow for a team that relies so much on its full-backs for width and service.
The New Blood
It’s not all doom and gloom, though. Hugo Ekitike has been a bright spark, leading the scoring with 8 goals in 18 appearances. Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah are chipping in, but they aren't hitting those dizzying heights we've seen in previous seasons.
Then there’s the midfield. Ryan Gravenberch is actually having a stellar season statistically, with a high performance rating and consistent minutes. But a team doesn't win the league on midfield ratings alone. They need that ruthless edge in both boxes, and right now, Liverpool is conceding almost as many as they score—28 goals against. That's more than Brentford.
The Road Ahead for the Barclays Premier League Table Liverpool
The schedule for the rest of January is brutal. Liverpool just came off a 0-0 draw against Arsenal at the Emirates. While a point away at the leaders is usually a "good" result, in the context of a title defense, it felt like two points dropped. They couldn't break the deadlock, and that’s becoming a recurring theme.
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Looking at the upcoming fixtures:
- January 17: Burnley at Anfield. This is a must-win. Period.
- January 24: Away at Bournemouth.
- January 31: Newcastle at home.
If they want to climb back up the Barclays Premier League table Liverpool fans need to see nine points from these three games. Anything less and the gap to the top three might become unbridgeable.
Defending the Crown?
Kinda seems like "defending" is the wrong word lately. It feels more like they're just trying to hang on to a Champions League spot. With Brentford and Newcastle breathing down their necks—sitting just two and three points behind respectively—the margin for error has evaporated.
The Tyne-Wear derby is back this year too, with Sunderland up in 10th and playing surprisingly well. The league is deeper and more competitive than it was five years ago. You can’t just turn up and win on reputation anymore.
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What Needs to Change
Basically, the defense needs to tighten up. You can't be 21 games in with a goal difference of +4 and expect to be taken seriously as a title contender. Arne Slot has to find a way to get the attack firing without leaving the back door wide open.
Maybe the January transfer window will bring a fresh face. There are rumors of a deal with Real Madrid being imminent, though nothing is set in stone yet. A bit of fresh energy in the squad might be exactly what the doctor ordered to shake off this mid-season slump.
Actionable Insights for the Second Half of the Season
To turn this around and move up the Barclays Premier League table Liverpool must focus on these three things:
- Home Form Recovery: Anfield needs to become a "no-go zone" for visitors again. Dropping points to Leeds at home (a 0-0 draw on New Year's Day) is unacceptable for a champion.
- Defensive Solidity: Konaté and Van Dijk need to find that telepathic understanding again. 28 goals conceded is a mid-table stat.
- Secondary Scoring: Ekitike can't do it alone. Players like Wirtz and Szoboszlai need to start contributing more than two goals a season if the Reds are to bridge the gap to Arsenal.
Keep an eye on that February 8th fixture against Manchester City. That game will likely define whether Liverpool is fighting for the title or just fighting to stay in the top four. For now, the table doesn't lie, and it says Liverpool has a mountain to climb.