Liverpool’s Unprecedented Losing Streak Threat
Liverpool faces a terrifying prospect they haven’t encountered in 38 years – the possibility of four consecutive defeats. The upcoming clash against Manchester United carries extraordinary significance as Arne Slot’s team has unexpectedly lost three matches in a row.
A Start Like No Other
Liverpool’s season has begun in bizarre fashion, filled with chaos and completely lacking stability. The statistics tell a worrying story:
• In all five opening matches, winning goals came strictly after the 80th minute
• Two Premier League defeats featured goals conceded after the 90th minute
• The team hasn’t recorded a single draw this season
Individual performances have also raised concerns. Florian Wirtz has failed to register a single goal contribution in the Premier League, while Mohamed Salah has gone six consecutive league matches without scoring from open play.
The Historical Context
What makes this situation particularly alarming is Liverpool’s historical resilience. The club has avoided four consecutive defeats longer than any other Premier League giant. In the 21st century, Liverpool has never suffered more than three consecutive losses across all competitions.
The irony isn’t lost on fans. Just this summer, several Liverpool fan accounts playfully mocked rival clubs with statistics about when top teams last experienced four consecutive defeats. While Manchester United, City, Tottenham, and Chelsea had recent examples, and Arsenal’s occurred seven years ago, Liverpool stood apart with their 38-year record.
Echoes of 1987
The last time Liverpool suffered four straight defeats provides chilling parallels. In the 1986/87 season, under player-manager Kenny Dalglish, the reigning champions were having a quality campaign. By March, they had lost only four points in 11 matches since January 1st.
The collapse began unexpectedly. Liverpool lost league matches to Tottenham, Wimbledon, and Norwich, then suffered defeat in the League Cup final against Arsenal. After the fourth consecutive loss, Dalglish faced journalist criticism, responding: “What went wrong? If I knew, I would fix it. We have consistent play – we just need to continue.”
The season ended trophy-less, with Liverpool finishing second in the championship, nine points behind rivals Everton.
Manchester United’s Anfield Struggles
While Liverpool faces their demons, Manchester United brings their own concerns to Anfield. The Red Devils haven’t won a Premier League match at Liverpool’s home ground in nine years.
Their last victory came in 2016 under Louis van Gaal, with Wayne Rooney scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win. That match featured emergency appearances from Cameron Borthwick-Jackson (now at Śląsk Wrocław), while Jürgen Klopp’s substitutions of Christian Benteke, Jordan Ibe, and Steven Caulker failed to turn the tide.
Since that encounter, Liverpool has conceded only one Premier League goal to Manchester United at home in eight years. The most memorable recent meeting remains Liverpool’s 7-0 demolition of United in 2023.
Rare Territory for Liverpool
Three consecutive defeats across all competitions represents extremely rare territory for Liverpool. The closest Jürgen Klopp came to this unwanted record was during the pandemic-affected 2020/21 season, when an injury-ravaged Liverpool collapsed in the championship race.
As Liverpool prepares to host their historic rivals, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Not just three points, but 38 years of pride and resilience hang in the balance.
