Liverpool Set Unwanted Premier League Record in Dismal Wolves Defeat
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Liverpool Set Unwanted Premier League Record in Dismal Wolves Defeat
Liverpool suffered their ninth Premier League defeat of the season on Tuesday.
By Ewan Ross-Murray
3:00 PM EST
Mohamed Salahâs strike couldnât spare Liverpoolâs blushes. / Catherine Ivill/AMA/Getty Images
Liverpool made unwanted Premier League history as they fell to yet another last-gasp Premier League defeat, losing 2â1 to last-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday night.
In a bitter blow to their hopes of Champions League qualification, the Reds stumbled to a ninth Premier League loss of the campaignâover double the number of defeats as last seasonâfollowing Andréâs deflected winner in stoppage time at Molineux.
Mohamed Salahâs first Premier League goal since November had briefly restored parity in the game after Rodrigo Gomes handed Wolves the lead, but another blunt performance from Liverpool was punished in the dying embers.
Andréâs strike ensured Liverpool set an unwanted division record, becoming the first team in Premier League history to lose five games courtesy of goals in the 90th minute or beyond during a single campaign.
The Reds added another undesirable record as they became the first reigning Premier League champions to concede a losing goal in stoppage time to a team in the relegation zone.
From âMentality Monstersâ to âMentality Miceâ
Liverpool have thrown away far too many points. / Shaun Brooks-CameraSport/Getty Images
Hailed as âMentality Monstersâ under Jürgen Klopp, this dramatic descent into fragility during Arne Slotâs second season in charge is alarming. Liverpoolâs ability to win points at the death was heralded early in the campaign, but they have received a sufficient taste of their own medicine since.
The last-gasp defeat to Wolves adds to stoppage-time losses against Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Manchester City, while the Reds have also surrendered points against Fulham and Leeds United by conceding in time added on.
Liverpoolâs inability to see out matches is one of the major reasons why they have served up such a dismal title defense, now desperately scrambling just for Champions League qualification rather than another first-place finish.
Defensive woes have stolen the headlines this seasonâand justifiably soâbut an underperforming forward line is receiving greater scrutiny with each passing week. The Reds have been overly reliant on set-piece goals since the turn of the year and the defeat to Wolves underscored just how pitiful Liverpool have been from open play lately.
Pressure Rising on Arne Slot Amid Champions League Fears
Will Arne Slot be in his post next season? / Catherine Ivill/AMA/Getty Images
A top-five finish in the Premier League is almost certain to secure Champions League qualification this season, but that is no guarantee for Liverpool. A frenetic fight to achieve re-entry into Europeâs premier competition awaits, with the Reds still having to play their three main contenders in Aston Villa, Manchester United and Chelseaâall of those games coming in their final four of the season.
The prospect of Liverpool missing out on the Champions League is becoming clearer and the severe reputational and financial ramifications of such underperformance will shine a harsh spotlight on Slot.
The Dutchman has been under fire for much of the campaign and while his position is secure until its conclusion, Liverpool have a major decision to make about his future come the summer. The outcome of those internal discussions will likely hinge on making the Champions League or not.
With out-of-work, former club hero Xabi Alonso lurking in the shadows after a brief reign at Real Madrid, Slot can ill-afford to finish sixth or lower this term.
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