3 Reasons Why Liverpool Might Not Make the EPL Top Four

Last season, the Dutchman oversaw a seamless transition, as the Reds secured their first Premier League title since 2020. 

However, the 2025/26 campaign has told a different story. Liverpool currently sit 6th in the table, trailing Man United, Aston Villa and Chelsea in the top four battle. 

Dropped points in a 2-1 defeat at Wolves and a 1-0 Champions League defeat at Galatasaray on Tuesday have caused concern over Liverpool’s identity this season, while familiar mistakes have surfaced again and again. 

With defensive security, personnel issues and a lack of cohesion, the Reds have a serious challenge to make the Premier League’s top four. 

One of the most significant hurdles for Arne Slot has been restructuring the build-up play following the departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The forward-thinking right-back was the primary engine for ball progression in Klopp’s reign and last season under Slot. 

According to The Athletic and Opta, Liverpool has lost approximately 400 progressive passing yards per 90 minutes this season. Without that elite range, the Reds have become more predictable in their build-up play. 

Attackers are more isolated and have more of the attacking brunt. Mohamed Salah is often forced to receive the ball wider and deeper, reducing his touches in dangerous positions. Creative players like Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo have also struggled for consistency due to a lack of drive in dangerous positions.  

Ultimately, opponents have found it easier to sit deep in the middle of the pitch, knowing the penetrating deep passes are no longer a constant threat.

The result is a Premier League side that has possession, but which does little with the ball. Liverpool average 60.3% possession in the Premier League, the most in the division. 

Slot’s side has struggled to break down the low block, leading to the frustrating results that have seen them slip behind their rivals.

At Anfield this season, the Reds’ shortcomings with the ball have been highlighted by dropped points against lower-table sides. Liverpool drew at home against the three promoted sides, Burnley 1-1, Leeds 0-0 and Sunderland 1-1, despite having over 68% possession in each game. 

For nearly a decade, Mohamed Salah was Liverpool’s go-to attacking outlet. 

From 2017/18 to 2024/25, Salah scored over 20 goals in five Premier League campaigns. Last season, the Egyptian had one of his best-ever Liverpool seasons, netting 29 and assisting 18 in the Premier League. 

However, Salah’s form has dropped off this season, leading to just 11 league goal involvements in 21 appearances. 

Salah’s decline is not individual, but part of a bigger collective attacking struggle at Liverpool. The Merseyside outfit has one of the highest XGs for in the 2025/26 Premier League (having 1.76 XG per game), but they have only scored 48 goals.

The lack of clinical finishing has been compounded by a rotating cast of forwards. The sale of Luis Díaz removed a consistent 1v1 threat, and Darwin Nunez’s departure meant the loss of a direct alternative to the possession-based style under Slot this season. 

While the Liverpool squad boasts immense talent, the lack of a settled front three has hindered the previous telepathic understanding required to break down Premier League defences.

There’s no let-up for Arne Slot and Liverpool as they enter the final stretch of the 2025/26 campaign.

The Reds are fighting on three fronts, with a critical Champions League last 16 second leg at home to Galatasaray and a challenging FA Cup quarter-final trip to Man City.

Alongside the cup competitions, Liverpool face relegation-threatened Tottenham, rivals Everton and European-hunting Brentford in the league. 

But the biggest challenge for Slot’s side comes in May, when they take on fellow top four hopefuls Man United, Chelsea and Aston Villa in two weeks.

If Liverpool continues to drop Premier League points, then they could already be too far adrift to even challenge for the top four by May. 

Slot certainly has an unenviable challenge on his hands at Anfield and the Reds will hope to keep chasing with those above them to boost their Champions League hopes for next season.