Anfield was supposed to be a fortress today. Instead, it felt like a library where everyone had lost their library cards. Honestly, if you watched that 1-1 draw against Burnley, you’ve probably spent the last hour staring at the league table in disbelief.
How does a team have 32 shots and only come away with a single point?
It’s the question haunting every Scouser right now. The latest on Liverpool Football Club isn’t just about a scoreline; it’s about a growing identity crisis under Arne Slot. We’re sitting in January 2026, and the "unbeaten run" narrative is starting to feel like a very thin veil for some deep-rooted problems.
The Burnley Bottling: A Tactical Nightmare
Let’s be real. Drawing 1-1 at home to a 19th-placed Burnley side is a disaster.
Florian Wirtz—who has been a bright spark since joining—scored a absolute screamer in the 42nd minute. You’d think that would open the floodgates. But no. Dominik Szoboszlai’s penalty miss earlier in the game seemed to set a tone of nervousness that the squad just couldn't shake.
Burnley’s Marcus Edwards equalized in the 65th minute with their first real shot on target. One shot. One goal. Liverpool, meanwhile, peppered Martin Dubravka’s goal for 90 minutes with 11 shots on target and nothing to show for it but a collective groan from the Kop.
This result means Liverpool has now failed to beat any of the three promoted sides at Anfield this season. That hasn't happened since the 1980/81 campaign. It’s a stat that makes you want to look away.
Why the "Unbeaten" Tag is a Trap
People keep pointing to the 12-game unbeaten run.
📖 Related: How to watch vikings game online free without the usual headache
Sure, on paper, it looks okay. But look closer. 2026 has been a series of frustrating stalemates.
- 0-0 against Leeds United on New Year's Day.
- 2-2 against Fulham where we conceded a late "rocket" from Harrison Reed.
- 0-0 at the Emirates against Arsenal.
We aren't losing, but we aren't exactly winning either. Arne Slot himself admitted recently that the team's approach has grown "dull." It’s hard to disagree. The football is slow. It’s methodical. Sometimes, it’s just plain boring.
The Injury Ward is Getting Crowded
The squad is stretched thinner than a cheap pair of socks.
Conor Bradley is out for the season with a knee injury. Giovanni Leoni, the January signing we were all excited to see, is also done for the year after a torn ACL on his debut. Then you have Alexander Isak, who is out for "multiple months" after surgery on a broken leg.
Basically, the spine of the team is in the treatment room.
During the Burnley game, Slot made six changes. Alisson, Ibrahima Konate, and Milos Kerkez all returned to the backline. But the lack of chemistry was obvious. Alexis Mac Allister was a late sub after missing some training sessions, and his absence from the starting XI left a hole in the transition play that Curtis Jones tried to fill, but it wasn't quite the same.
The Mo Salah Situation
Everyone is waiting for the King to return.
👉 See also: Liechtenstein National Football Team: Why Their Struggles are Different Than You Think
Mohamed Salah is currently finishing up his AFCON duties with Egypt. He’s got a third-place play-off against Nigeria on Saturday, and then he’s back. Slot has used the word “happy” about three dozen times in recent interviews when talking about Salah’s return.
Can a 33-year-old Salah fix a team that can’t break down a low block? Maybe. He’s done it before. But expecting him to be a magic wand might be a bit much, even for him.
Transfer Window: All Quiet on the Merseyside Front
If you were hoping for a major signing to save the season this January, I’ve got bad news.
The chase for Marc Guehi is officially over. He’s headed to Manchester City for £20 million after Crystal Palace pulled the plug on a Liverpool deal last summer. It’s a bitter pill to swallow.
Instead of a marquee defender, Liverpool has been focusing on "youth prospects."
- Mor Talla Ndiaye: A Senegal youth international from Amitie FC. He’s one for the U21s.
- Ifeanyi Ndukwe: A 17-year-old center-back from Austria Vienna, likely joining in July.
- Givairo Read: Rumors are swirling about the Feyenoord right-back, but don't expect him until the summer.
It feels like the club is playing the long game while the current house is on fire. Sporting director Richard Hughes and Slot are reportedly "in agreement" on this cautious approach, but the fans at Anfield today weren't buying it. There were actual "Slot Out" shouts. That’s how fast things can turn.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Liverpool Side
The common narrative is that we miss Jurgen Klopp’s "heavy metal" football.
✨ Don't miss: Cómo entender la tabla de Copa Oro y por qué los puntos no siempre cuentan la historia completa
But it’s more complex than just a change in tempo. Under Slot, Liverpool actually has more control of the ball. The problem is what they do with it. We’re the best team in the world at passing it around the back for 90 minutes.
We lack the "chaos factor" that used to petrify defenders. Everything is too predictable. When Gakpo or Ekitike get the ball, you know exactly what’s going to happen. There’s no unpredictability.
Moving Forward: The Next Few Weeks are Critical
Liverpool is currently fourth in the Premier League, sitting on 36 points after 22 games. We’re eight points behind Aston Villa and only two points above a surging Manchester United.
The battle for the top four is the only thing that matters domestically right now.
Next Steps for the Club:
- Survive Marseille: We play them in the Champions League on Wednesday. A win there is non-negotiable for morale.
- Integrate Salah Immediately: Slot needs to get Mo back into the XI the second his plane touches down from Morocco.
- Solve the Low Block: If Slot doesn't find a way to break down teams like Burnley and Leeds, Anfield will continue to be a place of frustration rather than celebration.
Honestly, the latest on Liverpool Football Club isn't great, but it isn't a total write-off yet. We’re 11 (now 12) games unbeaten. We’re still in the FA Cup (facing Brighton next). We’re still in Europe. But the vibes? The vibes are off.
Keep an eye on the injury report for Alexis Mac Allister this week. If he’s out for a significant period, that midfield is going to look very lightweight heading into the business end of the season.
Watch the Marseille game on Wednesday. That’s where we’ll see if this team has any fight left, or if they’re just going to keep passing it sideways until May.