FEATURE | Where did it all go wrong for Liverpool? | OneFootball

Liverpool’s title challenge has taken a nose dive despite looking like the favourites just a few weeks ago. Jurgen Klopp’s last season in charge is looking like it will end in disappointment.

If the German hadn’t announced he would be leaving at the end of the season, by all accounts, this could be considered a decent campaign for the Reds.

A Carabao Cup and guaranteed Champions League football next season is solid if not incredible but Klopp’s announcement added the pressure, and his ‘mentality monsters’ have crumbled.

Now, the next manager, reportedly Arne Slot, has the unenviable task of picking up a group of players who had a disappointing end of season.

But where did it all go wrong for Liverpool? Get Football looks at possible causes.

4-3 defeat to Manchester United

It would be unfair to put Liverpool’s collapse down to a single game, but the form table doesn’t lie. Before that FA Cup quarter-final, Liverpool had only lost twice in their previous 28 Premier League games. They now lost the same number since.

Harvey Elliot scored in the 105th minute of extra-time, and it looked like they’d sealed it. Then, Rashford equalised before Amad Diallo snatched victory from the jaws of defeat for United.

Now they’ve also been knocked out of the Europa League by Atalanta. The Italians are a good side, but Liverpool were by far one of the favourites to bring the trophy home.

Salah’s lack of form

The Egyptian King is undoubtedly one of Liverpool’s greatest-ever players, and he started the Premier League season in typical fashion, banging them in from every possible angle.

But in recent weeks, when Liverpool needed him the most, he’s not been at it. It’s become abundantly clear that Liverpool rely heavily on their talismanic winger, and with other forwards also misfiring, the goals aren’t there.

Of course, injuries haven’t helped, but only two goals in his last eight Premier League appearances isn’t what we’ve come to expect from Salah.

The big announcement

Klopp is a Premier League and Liverpool great. He’s a manager that has always emphasised the importance of mental strength in football, and Liverpool have flourished because of that.

Mental strength is the very reason he says he can no longer continue, he just doesn’t have the energy to continue such an incredibly high-demanding job anymore.

But, perhaps his announcement came at the wrong time. Telling the world that he would be leaving mid-season hasn’t had the desired effect in galvanising the squad.

The German has done wonderful things throughout his career, he should have no regrets. In hindsight though, maybe he should have waited.

Get Football | Alex Roberts