It would be an understatement to say that Liverpool’s Premier League title defense did not go to plan.
Arne Slott’s side may have stabilized their side with a hard-fought win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday night, but they are still three points behind fourth-placed Manchester United, and that tells you everything you need to know about the current state of play at Anfield.
What are the causes of Liverpool’s collapse? So many things went wrong. The Reds have struggled with a lack of defensive depth this season, but Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate have been in solid form this season.
The same cannot be said for the slot frontline, with Kodi Gakpo finding himself something of a scapegoat for Liverpool’s problems.
What happened to Gakpo?
Gakpo recorded 18 goals and 7 assists in all competitions last season. At Liverpool, he played a key role in the title-winning team.
But this season he’s been too flattering to deceive, too predictable, too one-dimensional. The game against Sunderland was the latest game that divided opinion and resulted in some questionable decisions.
The 26-year-old is a strong finisher and focuses on creating for his teammates, but he is underrated. However, he still failed to attract attention, did not hit the goal as often, and the amount of shots on goal increased.
This is a by-product of his instinct to cut inside from the right and score, something that has been noted by his opponents this season.
The lack of variety is frustrating to watch, especially since the Dutchman should be developing into the best version of himself right now.
Kodi Gakpo in Premier League slot | ||
|---|---|---|
Statistics (* per 90) | 24/25 | 25/26 |
Match (start) | 35(23) | 24(20) |
Goal + Assist | 10+4 | 5+3 |
touch | 27.7 | 39.3 |
Number of shots (on target)* | 1.6 (0.7) | 2.3(0.5) |
Exact path* | 13.1 (84%) | 18.3 (80%) |
A big opportunity has arisen | 11 | 8 |
Loss of ownership* | 7.0 | 11.5 |
Successful. dribble* | 0.9 (60%) | 1.1 (58%) |
Ball recovery rate* | 2.2 | 2.5 |
Tackle + Interception* | 1.1 | 1.0 |
Duel (win)* | 3.1 (51%) | 4.6 (53%) |
Data via Sofascore | ||
FSG must regret their decision to sell Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich and not choose his replacement. With the summer transfer window now approaching, a left-sided forward is thought to be something of a market priority for sporting director Richard Hughes.
But other areas also need to be brushed up, and other parts of Liverpool’s frontline potentially require more urgent attention.
FSG should be bold and sell Liverpool’s ‘superstar’
Mohamed Salah has been nothing short of a ‘superstar’ since his move to Liverpool, as many have said, including Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville.
He is one of the greatest players of his generation and a respected right winger. In the Premier League, he scored so many goals and assists that he established himself as a two-time champion.
Across all competitions for the Merseyside side, Salah made 427 appearances, scoring 251 goals and providing 120 assists. Few thought he would establish himself as a talisman after joining from AS Roma in a deal worth around £34 million. Liverpool would fail if they signed Chelsea’s reject, wasn’t that the line?
Last year, of course, Salah was determined to double down on his title and supercharged his debut season in the slot, running one of his great individual campaigns while securing a silver medal in a relatively fast canter.
Most goals contributed in PL (24/25) | ||
|---|---|---|
player | Goal (assist) | G/A |
1 – Mohamed Salah | 29(18) | 47 |
2 – Alexander Isaac | 23(6) | 29 |
3 – Brian Mbeumo | 20(8) | 28 |
4 – Erling Haaland | 22(3) | twenty five |
5 – Joan’s Warning | 19(5) | twenty four |
5 – Ollie Watkins | 16(8) | twenty four |
5 – Cole Palmer | 15(9) | twenty four |
Statistics via Transfermarkt | ||
Did the 33-year-old reach the end of his world-class ability last season? 2025 was a huge year for not only Salah, but everyone involved at Liverpool, and there is no denying that his on-field performances this year left a lot to be desired.
Just last April, Salah extended his contract with Liverpool until 2027, now paying him a staggering £400,000 a week.
FSG have not lived up to their potential in that regard, with the Egyptian king having just four goals and six assists in 18 top-flight games this season, with his lack of defensive work and uncharacteristic sluggishness in the final third widely criticized.
The Saudi Pro League has proven to be a persistent suitor. They want nothing more than to land the Premier League’s definitive modern sensation.
Recent reports suggest that professional league side Al Ittihad have begun negotiations with Salah’s agent ahead of a summer bid, something FSG should consider, although it may be unpopular.
Salah shows little sign of regaining his former level and Father Time is not on his side. Watching him struggle to make a good impression will be just as frustrating, if not more so, than watching Gakpo struggle this season. However, the veteran forward is aging and cannot be blamed for reaching this late stage of his career after contributing so much to Liverpool.
Liverpool cannot afford to make short changes on the right (with Federico Chiesa’s future also uncertain), but Salah is underperforming and if this continues the club will need to make a move and make an upgrade.
Salah doesn’t seem to be the type of player who wants to play second fiddle, which was evident in his incendiary flare-up in December.
He is revered by Liverpool fans as an immortal and will remain as one of the greatest players of all time. But there’s something about knowing that things have reached their end, and Liverpool and Salah are certainly heading towards that critical juncture. Indeed, decisions need to be made.
Better than Wertz: Liverpool star played his best game all season against Sunderland
Liverpool returned to the Premier League with a 1-0 win over Sunderland.
