Could Liverpool’s Title Defence Be the Worst in Premier League History?

Following a sixth defeat of the season at home to Nottingham Forest at the weekend, could Liverpool be on course for the worst defence of a Premier League title in history?

To compound their misery, rivals Everton moved above them with a victory at Old Trafford on
Monday night, leaving Arne Slot’s team 12th in the league table on 18 points.

With help from the football betting experts at Bet442, we take a look at previous title winners
who have come crashing back down to earth the following season with disappointing campaigns.

The fairytale of 2015/16 was always going to be difficult to follow, but few expected Leicester’s
title defence to unravel quite so dramatically. Claudio Ranieri’s side struggled to rediscover the
intensity and defensive solidity that had defined their unlikely triumph.

Key players such as Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy experienced dips in form, while the
departure of N’Golo Kanté left a gaping hole in midfield. By February, Leicester were just one
point above the relegation zone, prompting Ranieri’s dismissal.

Craig Shakespeare steadied the ship, guiding the Foxes to a respectable 12th, but the 37-point
drop remains one of the sharpest falls in Premier League history.

A collapse almost as shocking as Leicester’s ascension the year before, Chelsea’s 2015/16
campaign was marred by turmoil both on and off the pitch. José Mourinho’s relationship with the
squad deteriorated rapidly, leading to a run of nine defeats in the first 16 games and his
eventual dismissal in December.

Eden Hazard, so brilliant during the title win, failed to score a league goal until late April, while
defensive frailties repeatedly cost them points. Guus Hiddink’s interim stewardship brought
some stability, but the damage was done; Chelsea finished a woeful 10th, the worst title
defence ever at that point.

Blackburn’s title in 1994/95 was the culmination of Jack Walker’s investment and Kenny
Dalglish’s leadership, but the follow-up season exposed cracks that had previously been
masked by success. Alan Shearer remained prolific, scoring 31 league goals, yet Rovers
struggled defensively and lacked consistency.

The departure of Dalglish from the dugout at the end of the title-winning year also played a part;
new manager Ray Harford couldn’t replicate the tactical balance that made Blackburn
champions. A mid-table finish and a first-round Champions League exit made for a hugely
disappointing defence.

Manchester United’s first season after Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement was always going to be a
challenge, but few foresaw the scale of the drop-off. David Moyes struggled to command the
dressing room and implement his tactical ideas, resulting in a series of flat performances and
poor home form.

Injuries and an ageing squad added to the difficulties, and by April Moyes had been dismissed.
United finished 7th, missing out on European football entirely for the first time in decades, and
recorded their lowest points total of the Premier League era.

Although not as dramatic a collapse as some others on this list, Chelsea’s 2017/18 season still
represented a significant comedown from their dominant title win under Antonio Conte. A
strained relationship between Conte and the club hierarchy, frustration over transfer dealings,
and inconsistent performances all contributed to their decline. Álvaro Morata failed to
adequately replace Diego Costa’s goals, and a run of damaging defeats pushed Chelsea out of
the top-four picture. Despite winning the FA Cup, a 5th-place finish marked a notable step
backwards for the defending champions.

Liverpool’s struggles this season place them firmly in the conversation for the Premier League’s
most disappointing title defence. With just 18 points from their opening fixtures and sitting 12th
in the table, Arne Slot’s side already matches the mid-season trajectories of Leicester in
2016/17, and Chelsea in 2015/16, two of the worst collapses in the league’s history.
If Liverpool continues at their current pace, they could challenge the lowest points total of any
defending champion in the Premier League era. But with over half a season remaining, there is
still time to reverse their trajectory. Whether they can steady the ship or spiral further will
ultimately determine where this campaign ranks among the league’s most forgettable title
defences.

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