Starting the 2025/26 Premier League season with five wins from their first five games, reigning champions Liverpool hit the ground running in the defence of their English crown.
However, Arne Slot’s side had a wobble with back-to-back league defeats in the lead up to October’s international break and the Reds will be working hard to get their campaign back on track.
A Good Early Test for Slot’s Men
Coming up with late winners and grinding out big wins, all was rosy in the Anfield garden until back-to-back 2-1 defeats to Crystal Palace and Chelsea saw Liverpool’s impressive start come to a halt. The Reds have an opportunity to put those defeats behind them when they host their biggest rivals after the international break, with Slot’s side the 8/15 favourites in the Liverpool vs Manchester United odds. Liverpool, who are 11/4 in the Premier League betting to win the title, could certainly use the three points and the bragging rights against the Red Devils to get their campaign back on track. Sorting defensive issues will be a priority for Slot, especially given how the games against Palace and Chelsea went for the reigning champions.
Conceding just five goals in their opening five games, Liverpool conceded four in their following two games, which cost them their early lead in the Premier League table. Seeing title rivals Arsenal leapfrog them into top spot before October’s international break was a setback for Liverpool, but there are certainly enough experienced heads and quality players in the squad to turn things around over the months to come.
Leaders Need To Step Up
Liverpool invested heavily in the summer transfer window, bringing in a host of new faces to try to keep the club ahead of the chasing pack. While there is little doubt in the quality of the new additions, which include club-record signing Alexander Isak, it will take time for these players to adapt to their new surroundings and the way of playing under Slot. That means the more experienced heads in the squad will need to step up over the coming months to help steer the ship to calmer waters. Skipper Virgil van Dijk has helped guide Liverpool through tough spells in the past and the Dutchman’s presence will be key as the Premier League title race develops over the coming months.
Mohamed Salah will be another leader who will need to do the business at the opposite end of the field. The Egyptian star, who signed a contract last season to commit his future to the club, came in for some criticism regarding his form at the start of the campaign. Scoring two goals in his first seven Premier League appearances is not the same form that saw Salah win the Golden Boot last season with his 29-goal campaign. Liverpool will need more from their iconic forward if they are to turn their fortunes around and get back to winning ways ahead of the festive period.
It has been a tricky spell for Liverpool and a test of character in the squad after those defeats to the Eagles and the Blues. However, there is no need for panic and the cool heads in the Reds’ squad have the ability to get the team’s campaign back on track.
