The downturn in Liverpool’s performance this year has been quite noticeable and unforeseen, particularly after investments were made during the off-season with the expectation of, at the very least, a strong effort to retain their championship.
However, the Reds find themselves in the middle of the standings, having suffered six defeats in their last seven Premier League matches, the most recent being a 3-0 defeat at their home ground against Nottingham Forest.
Instances in Premier League History That Might Concern Slot
Slot is not the pioneer to experience a downturn immediately after securing a league title; however, this particular situation has garnered increased attention due to the financial investments made during the summer.
Players such as Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak have, up to this point, failed to deliver the anticipated impact, leading captain Virgil van Dijk to suggest that the players are “letting Slot down.”
Throughout the Premier League’s history, several title defenses have failed, resulting in alterations in management. Chelsea, notably, accounts for three of these instances.
The first such case was Carlo Ancelotti, who remained in charge for a complete season after clinching the title in 2009/10. However, he was let go in May 2011 after the team finished second with 71 points, trailing Manchester United by nine points.
Chelsea actually initiated that season with considerable strength, securing victories in their initial five Premier League matches (mirroring Liverpool’s performance this season), which included consecutive 6-0 triumphs over West Brom and Wigan at the onset.
Nevertheless, a disappointing stretch in November and December—characterized by merely two victories across nine matches—indicated that Roman Abramovich’s patience was wearing thin, signaling what was to come.
Although there was an improvement, with Chelsea performing adequately in March and April to ensure Ancelotti retained his position, he was ultimately dismissed after suffering two defeats in his final three league games, notably a critical 2-1 loss at Old Trafford.
Likewise, Chelsea’s 2017/18 season commenced on a reasonably positive note, especially after Antonio Conte had successfully led the team to a noteworthy title in 2016/17. The Italian manager’s squad remained competitive at the top of the league until the arrival of the new year, but a notable decline in January and February dramatically altered the atmosphere.
Incredibly, the Blues suffered defeats in five out of seven league games during this period, including a 4-1 defeat against Watford, ultimately resulting in a fifth-place finish. Conte was unable to recover from this setback and was dismissed during the summer.
The other Chelsea example pertains to Jose Mourinho, who made a comeback for his second term, inspiring his team to secure the title in 2014/15 before encountering a significant downturn in 2015/16.
It became evident relatively early in the disastrous season that ‘the Special One’ had forfeited the support of his players. By the close of November, they had suffered seven league defeats, and the possibility of a relegation battle seemed more probable than a title defense.
Mourinho was dismissed following a 2-1 defeat to Leicester in December, after which the Blues embarked on a 15-match unbeaten streak.
There is no indication to suggest any discord between Slot and his players, but it is apparent that adverse periods after the triumph of a significant achievement can sometimes prove challenging to manage.
Other notable examples include Claudio Ranieri at Leicester—dismissed the February following his remarkable title victory in 2015/16, with the Foxes struggling near the bottom—and Roberto Mancini at Manchester City, who remained in charge until the subsequent summer following Manchester City’s unforgettable title triumph in 2011/12.
Liverpool icon Kenny Dalglish also relinquished his position as Blackburn manager after their solitary Premier League title. He transitioned to the role of director of football, but Rovers declined to seventh place, 19 points behind Man United in first.
Therefore, it is evident that sustaining a title defense can be challenging for various reasons. Expectations were elevated at Liverpool due to their unprecedented spending in the transfer market, and the pressure seems to be overwhelming at present.
Whether Slot and his players can reverse the situation remains to be observed. If not, the Dutchman could become another addition to the roster of managers who departed their clubs shortly after the peak of a title win, with the admiration of the club’s supporters still vivid in memory.
