Reds must kick losing habit to remain in title contention

Defeat by Manchester City means Liverpool have already lost five Premier League games in the current campaign, one more than their final total in both 2023-24 and 2024-25. In fact, only the league's bottom six have been beaten more often than the Reds this term.

The last time the Merseysiders had lost five top-flight matches by this stage was in 2014-15, when they went on to finish sixth in Brendan Rodgers' final full season in charge.

The history books suggests it is highly unlikely Arne Slot's side can recover to retain the title.

Not since Manchester City in 1967-68 has a side been crowned top-flight champions after five defeats in their opening 11 fixtures. Going back even further, Liverpool themselves managed the feat in 1905-06, as did Sunderland in 1912-13.

Because Slot's team have yet to draw, they are only eight points off the top and have winnable games against Nottingham Forest and West Ham after the international break.

But they will need to kick the losing habit swiftly or else the gap to Arsenal and Manchester City will quickly become insurmountable.