Five Ways Liverpool Could Still Throw Away the Premier League Title

Liverpool are currently the favourites to win the Premier League at the season’s halfway point, but despite their stellar form, the title race is far from over. A shock 2-2 draw against Ruben Amorim’s side on Sunday, following a loss to Manchester United at Anfield, has raised a few eyebrows, especially after Liverpool had enjoyed a four-game winning streak.

As it stands, Arne Slot’s squad holds a six-point lead over Arsenal, but after the draw with United, questions are beginning to surface, particularly about their defense. Both Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold faced significant criticism after the result, and doubts have started to creep in about Liverpool’s title credentials.

Beyond the Premier League, Liverpool are also eyeing success in the Champions League and both domestic cups, which will demand a considerable amount of energy as their already packed schedule grows even more intense. So, with the second half of the season ahead, here are the potential disruptors to Liverpool’s title push.

5) Other Competitions

Having topped their Champions League group under the new format, Liverpool are set to skip the first qualifying round, easing some of the burden in the new year. However, the challenge of retaining their Carabao Cup and mounting a serious run in the FA Cup, which begins with a home clash against Accrington Stanley, could prove taxing. Between January and March, the Reds will face an unrelenting fixture list, with high-stakes games across multiple competitions, any of which could derail their Premier League ambitions.

4) Contract Situations

With key players like Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, and Trent Alexander-Arnold all entering the final six months of their contracts, the uncertainty surrounding their futures could cause distractions. Salah has already publicly stated that a contract renewal is far from imminent, while Alexander-Arnold is reportedly a top target for Real Madrid, which could be affecting his form—his poor display against United only fuelled this theory. If the contract situations drag on, it might start to impact both individual performances and team morale, especially if results begin to falter.

3) Injuries

While Liverpool have navigated a tough patch of injuries relatively well, key players like Diogo Jota, Joe Gomez, Ibrahim Konate, Alisson Becker, and Federico Chiesa have a history of niggling injuries. As the Reds fight on multiple fronts, squad depth will be crucial, and any extended absences could jeopardize their title challenge. Despite calls from pundits like Jamie Carragher for a full-back signing in the January transfer window, reports suggest Liverpool may not make any moves during this period, potentially leaving them short on reinforcements.

2) Rivals’ Form

As the chasing pack, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, and Nottingham Forest will all look to find more consistent form to close the gap. Liverpool are likely to experience a dip in form at some point, and they’ll need to stay focused and capitalise on any slip-ups from their rivals. The season is far from over, and the title race will be influenced by a combination of injuries, player performances, transfers, and rival teams’ form.

1) Liverpool’s Run-In

The final stretch of games will be pivotal. Liverpool face a tough run-in, with one last historic fixture at Goodison Park against Everton, as well as away trips to Bournemouth, Forest, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Fulham, and Brighton. They’ll also host Arsenal, Tottenham, and Newcastle United at Anfield. If combined with the pressures of multiple midweek games, injuries, or increasing media scrutiny, this challenging run could prove disastrous for their title hopes—or they could finish the season with a stunning, title-winning run.

It’s clear that Liverpool’s title challenge is far from straightforward, with numerous factors at play. With so much football still to be played, anything could happen.