When Virgil van Dijk lifted the Premier League trophy at Anfield on a cool May afternoon, it felt like the perfect conclusion to a season defined by control, confidence, and calm authority. Liverpool’s march to a 20th league title had been impressive not because of relentless drama, but because of how smoothly obstacles were handled. Problems arose, but they were solved with composure. The title was secured with barely a strain.
The celebrations after a 1–1 draw with Crystal Palace on the final day matched the mood. Players danced on the pitch, supporters filled the stands with joy, and there was no sense that Liverpool had reached a peak they could not sustain. Confidence was high. The future looked bright.
That optimism vanished almost immediately.
Within 24 hours, Liverpool’s world tilted. What followed has been one of the most extraordinary and painful seven-month stretches in the club’s long history — a period marked by tragedy, chaos, emotional exhaustion, and sporting collapse.
It began with what should have been a historic triumph: a trophy parade through the city on Monday, 26 May. Thousands lined the 10-mile route, braving heavy rain to celebrate their champions. Van Dijk stood atop the open-top bus, trophy in hand, sunglasses on, music blaring — a scene of pure joy.
Then came horror.
A car drove into the crowd, injuring more than 130 people, from a six-month-old baby to a 77-year-old woman. The moment forever scarred what should have been a day of celebration. Earlier this month, Paul Doyle, a 54-year-old father of three, was sentenced to more than 21 years in prison. While that verdict offers some closure, the emotional wounds will never fully heal.
As the city was still processing that trauma, another devastating blow followed. In July, Liverpool forward Diogo Jota died suddenly. The loss of a beloved teammate, friend, and professional is impossible to measure. Its impact continues to ripple through the squad.
Andy Robertson’s words months later captured the depth of that grief. Speaking after Scotland secured World Cup qualification, the defender admitted he had struggled to cope. Jota had been a constant presence in his thoughts — a teammate with whom he had often spoken about sharing the World Cup stage. The grief, Robertson revealed, had not faded.
It still hasn’t.
That emotional weight has bled into Liverpool’s performances, which have been alarmingly poor. A side once defined by control and resilience has unraveled. Nine defeats in 12 matches told a brutal story, culminating in a disastrous run where 10 goals were conceded across three games due to collective panic and individual errors.
It was Liverpool’s worst sequence since the 1953–54 season.
This collapse is all the more shocking given the scale of the club’s ambition. Over the summer, Liverpool shattered the British transfer record by signing Alexander Isak for £125 million, pushing total spending beyond £440 million. Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitiké, and other high-profile additions suggested a dynasty in the making.
Instead, everything has gone wrong.
Isak is now sidelined for months with a fractured leg. Giovanni Leoni’s season ended almost before it began due to a serious knee injury on his debut. Mohamed Salah is away on Africa Cup of Nations duty and may never play for the club again following his revealing post-match interview at Leeds. Discipline issues have surfaced too, including Ekitiké being sent off for a needless shirt-removal celebration.
Chaos has become routine.
Yet amid the storm, calls for patience remain. Football writer and lifelong Liverpool supporter Andrew Beasley argues that Arne Slot deserves time. With so much investment in a new squad, replacing the head coach now would only deepen the instability. Proven, serial title-winning managers are rare. Slot must be given space to shape what he has inherited.
That argument holds weight, even if Slot himself has made questionable decisions. His tactics, selections, and squad management have at times contributed to the problems. But he has also shown empathy, dignity, and leadership during moments no coach should ever have to face. From the parade tragedy to Jota’s death, Slot has carried responsibilities far beyond football.
As the festive period passes and the new year approaches, what Slot — and Liverpool — crave most is something simple: calm.
A home fixture against Wolves offers that possibility. With just two points from 17 games, Wolves are on track for a historically poor Premier League season. On paper, this should be straightforward.
But for Liverpool, nothing has been straightforward since that joyful spring day now fading into memory.
The storm has been long. The hope at Anfield is that clearer skies finally lie ahead.
