Liverpool have suffered an extremely disappointing defence of their Premier League title – but they aren’t even close to being the worst
It was somehow overlooked amid the hullabaloo of one-time runaway leaders Arsenal once again stumbling with the finishing line in sight. But as well as truly reigniting the Premier League title race last Sunday, Manchester City’s victory over the Gunners ensured Liverpool can still win the championship.
All it would take is for the Reds to win their five remaining matches, City and Arsenal to lose all of their games and both Manchester United and Aston Villa to drop points in at least one of their fixtures not against Arne Slot’s side.
Of course, there is perhaps more chance of Chelsea employing a manager for a full season than that scenario playing out. Liverpool’s sole remaining concentration is instead on securing a top-five berth to at least retain their place in the Champions League after such a difficult and disappointing season.
And that drop-off from last term’s dominant and deserved record-equalling 20th championship triumph has prompted claims Liverpool are “bad champions”.
FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo’s dedicated LFC Facebook page
Well, at least that’s what former Celtic midfielder Roy Keane contends. “I’ve said it a number of times, Liverpool are bad champions,” said Keane, who also had a spell at Manchester United. “They’ve been bad champions, they were bad champions a few years ago.
“Last year I was critical of Liverpool towards the end. I thought they were almost partying too much. They were partying with four, five, six weeks to go.”
Subsequent events after Liverpool lifted the Premier League title put those celebrations into fresh context and indicated they were not entirely unwise.
So, what do the statistics say? Have the Reds really besmirched the “champions” tag to such a dreadful level?
It’s probably worth bearing in mind that holding on to the same silverware isn’t easy. Liverpool are the most decorated club in English football history but now haven’t successfully defended a trophy in 42 years.
But if, as is expected, the title becomes mathematically out of reach over the weekend, it will mean Liverpool were officially deposed with four games remaining.
That isn’t even close to being the earliest moment at which that has happened. Indeed, in 2020/21 the Reds were dethroned with eight games remaining, similar to Chelsea in both 2017/18 and 2015/16. The market leader here is Leicester City, who still had 12 matches left of the 2016/17 season when it became impossible for them to defend their title.
Liverpool are also aiming to avoid becoming only the sixth defending Premier League champions to finish outside the top three the following season.
Blackburn Rovers ended up seventh in 1995/96, as did Manchester United in 2013/14. Chelsea were 10th in 2015/16 and fifth two years later, but the biggest drop-off was again Leicester, who ended up in 12th in 2016/17.
Admittedly, none of this takes into account the specific circumstances with which each team had to contend after being crowned. But given such nuance is usually beyond some observers, it won’t be applied here.
Nobody can claim this season has been anything other than a major letdown for Liverpool. But the reality is other failed Premier League title winners have been much worse.
Bad champions? Let’s just settle on regarding Slot’s present side as not very good ones.
