What once felt like a victory parade now resembles a slow, uneasy collapse for Premier League reigning champions Liverpool.
When the Reds visited Brighton last May, defeat still felt like celebration, with travelling fans singing through the disappointment. The title had already been secured, and nothing could dim the mood.
Fast forward ten months, and the same fixture paints a very different picture. This time, the away end emptied early, and the energy drained long before the final whistle. Liverpool’s latest loss marks their 10th league defeat this season, a worrying statistic for reigning champions.
The decline has been gradual but undeniable, and after a perfect start of five straight wins, Liverpool have managed just nine victories in their next 26 matches. That kind of return raises serious doubts about their ability to secure Champions League football.
Injuries have not helped their cause, but they do not fully explain the drop-off. Key figures like Mohamed Salah and Alisson were missing, and Hugo Ekitike’s early exit compounded matters.
Manager Arne Slot admitted his side fell short, especially after a demanding midweek European outing. Yet, fatigue alone cannot justify a pattern that has seen Liverpool lose five of their 10 league games following Champions League fixtures.
A season slipping away as doubts grow over squad depth and direction
Brighton exposed those weaknesses with clarity. Even when Liverpool found the net, it came from an opponent’s error rather than their own brilliance. More concerning was the sense that Brighton always looked likelier to score again.
Former professionals have begun to question the team’s structure and identity. The spine that once defined Liverpool’s dominance now appears fractured, and that has left players searching for answers during difficult moments.
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Despite heavy investment in the squad, depth remains an issue. Expectations were understandably high after a title-winning campaign, but performances this season have fallen short of that standard.
The coming weeks could define everything. With crucial fixtures against Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain looming, there is little margin for error. On current form, those matches pose a serious threat rather than an opportunity.
Liverpool’s problems are no longer isolated incidents but part of a troubling pattern, and if solutions do not come quickly, the disappointment of this season could evolve into something far more damaging.
Tags: Brighton & Hove Albion, #BHALIV, #BHAFC, #YNWA, #LFC, Liverpool, Arne Slot, Hugo Ekitike, Mohamed Salah, Alisson.
