The time is now for Liverpool to rescue their season

November 28, 2025 Oliver Obel

When August arrived, Liverpool looked well positioned to build on their title from last season. Their summer recruitment was unusually assertive for a club that often prefers targeted additions, and early evidence suggested the new arrivals would blend quickly with the established core. Five consecutive league victories, including a controlled win over Everton in the Merseyside derby, carried them to the top of the table with fifteen points.

That bright start has since faded. Liverpool have dropped five of their last six league matches, and they enter the final weekend of November in eighth place. The shift has been dramatic enough to alter both expectations and the tone surrounding the club.

A lingering emotional burden

Inside the dressing room, few were surprised that rhythm and cohesion proved difficult to maintain. The sudden passing of Diogo Jota in July was a profound emotional blow, and the effects have continued to surface in subtle ways.

In an interview with BBC Sport following Scotland’s victory over Denmark, Andy Robertson reflected openly on how heavily Jota remained on his mind. His comments highlighted the reality that emotional recovery does not follow the pace of the fixture calendar. Even slight drops in mental clarity can influence matches that are often decided by small margins.

A demanding run of opponents

Liverpool’s league position looks alarming at first glance, but context matters. According to Premier League standings at the eleven match mark, seven of their opponents currently sit in the top ten. The 3 to 0 loss to Manchester City immediately before the international break intensified scrutiny, although the Premier League Key Match Incidents panel later stated that Virgil van Dijk’s disallowed equaliser should have counted.

That defeat arrived only days after Liverpool produced strong performances against Aston Villa and Real Madrid, reminders that the team’s ceiling remains high when their structure holds.

Possession without penetration

Liverpool continue to dominate the ball more than any other side, averaging 60.7 percent possession per match. Yet opponents have become increasingly comfortable defending deep and allowing Liverpool to work in front of them. The team has struggled to convert long stretches of possession into consistent pressure.

Florian Wirtz was signed to help solve this problem. His creativity has been evident in the Champions League, but he has not yet carried that influence into Premier League play. A recent muscle injury has further slowed his adaptation.

Alexander Isak is close to returning, and his finishing ability could provide the edge Liverpool currently lack. Even so, Slot must figure out how to fit him alongside Hugo Ekitike, who has been one of the few consistent attacking performers with six goals in all competitions.

Attacking inconsistency and defensive concerns

Liverpool’s attacking output has fallen sharply from last season. The team averaged 2.3 goals per Premier League match during their title run. This season that figure has dropped to 1.6. Their conversion rate on major chances has also declined significantly.

Defensively, Liverpool have conceded 17 league goals and allowed 29 major chances, both far worse than their numbers from last year. These issues contribute directly to their struggles with game states.

Slot’s team have trailed in eight of their last ten matches and have lost every league match in which they have fallen behind. They have spent only 24.1 percent of their league minutes in a winning position, compared with 45.6 percent last season.

A narrow window to respond

There are still reasons for optimism. Liverpool experienced a similar mid season shift in underlying performance last year, improving considerably after a slow stretch. Their upcoming schedule offers an opportunity to regain confidence, beginning with a home match against Nottingham Forest, who currently sit near the bottom of the table. Only one of Liverpool’s next five league opponents is in the top half.

However, the room for error is thin. The squad continues to carry emotional weight from a difficult summer, and the tactical landscape of the league is evolving quickly. The next several weeks will reveal whether the recent slump is a temporary dip or a sign of deeper instability.

If Liverpool intend to reclaim the authority they showed in August, the revival must begin immediately.

Sources: BBC Sport, Premier League match data, Opta Analyst