Despite being the reigning champions in the English top-flight and having waltzed to the title in 2024/25, eventually finishing the campaign some 10 points ahead of second-placed Arsenal, many things just didn't click for Liverpool from August to May.
12 league defeats in 2025/26
12 league defeats in 25/26 were the joint-worst record of the top seven teams, but it was the manner of some of them which should trouble manager, Arne Slot.
Not to mention the 19 defeats in all competitions, which is one more than Brendan Rodgers in 2014/15 and Rafael Benitez in 2009/10.
The Spaniard was summarily dismissed not long after that season ended, whilst the Northern Irishman tenuously held on for a few months of the following season before his departure was announced live on satellite television, sparking the iconic moment when Thierry Henry placed his hand on Jamie Carragher's knee in shock.
The Dutchman seemingly has gone from being a perfect replacement for Jurgen Klopp to the point of potentially being replaced in the space of 12 months.
Had Liverpool not qualified for the Champions League, there would undoubtedly be no debate, and he'd be gone already.
Lots of cause for concern
Whether the Liverpool hierarchy takes that decision will be seen in due course, but assuming that the 47-year-old remains in his position, there's an awful lot that needs to be addressed over the summer...
The fact that his side scored 23 fewer goals than in the last campaign and let in 12 more, as well as collecting 24 fewer points are an immediate cause for concern.
As will be the form of Alexander Isak in particular, a player who arrived with a huge fanfare, but who was out injured for the majority of the 25/26 campaign and, even when he was fit, barely resembled the striker who had struck fear into opposition defences - including Liverpool's - when playing for Newcastle.
Perhaps the returns of Huge Ekitike, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni will help to prompt the change in form that's evidently needed, though it does seem clear that the problems run a lot deeper.
Who will replace Mo Salah?
After all, who can forget Mohamed Salah's epic outburst earlier in the season, where he suggested that Slot had "thrown him under the bus." Their brief and frosty exchange as the Egyptian King walked off the Anfield pitch for the last time against Brentford spoke volumes.
Signing Salah's replacement has to be the main priority, and whilst some excellent names have already been touted as potential signings: Yan Diomande, Bradley Barcola and Anthony Gordon to name just three, Liverpool's fervent fan base has to understand that the impact of any of that trio (or others who may be considered) isn't going to be immediate.
Furthermore, given how poor the Reds often appeared in defence, there has to be a conversation around whether the club look for a different partner for Virgil van Dijk, or take the difficult decision to move their captain on.
Van Dijk actually had a better tackle success rate in the Premier League in 25/26 (59.09%) compared to the previous season (52.63%), and his 275 clearances far exceeded the 190 made in 24/25.
Van Dijk's poor numbers
Just 28 interceptions in 25/26 league play, however, exactly half of the 56 he made in 24/25, would seem to tie in with the notion that the centre-back has lost a little pace over the past 12 months, and positional issues have often left him unable to clear his lines, too.
A winning of possession 41 times in the season just finished is also down on the 54 occasions from the season before.
For Slot himself, he's seemingly suffered from negativity amongst the supporters, who, it could be said, tend to jump on the social media bandwagon and find news that only enhances their own bias.
It is clear that 25/26 wasn't good enough, and in fact, the Dutchman has admitted as much.
Has Slot really gone from hero to zero?
However, Liverpool aren't a terrible team, and Arne Slot surely hasn't gone from hero to zero in such a short space of time.
It could be argued that he has to be given time to turn things around, but if the board are going to make a significant financial investment again, they're not going to do so just yet if the general feeling is that Slot might not be the man to take them forward.
With the World Cup starting in just over a fortnight and then finishing right on top of pre-season for the 2026/27 campaign, the timing of what happens next is crucial.
Get it wrong, and Liverpool could be set for another arduous season.
