5 wins in 17: How Arne Slot’s Liverpool are now WORSE than Roy Hodgson era

Liverpool's title defense under Arne Slot has hit a new low, with just 5 wins in 17 Premier League games, plunging the Reds into their worst run since Roy Hodgson's dismal 2010/11 season.

The article dissects Liverpool's alarming slump after a frustrating 1-1 draw at home against relegation-threatened Burnley on January 17, 2026. Despite dominating with 32 shots, 11 on target, 73% possession, and a whopping 2.95 xG—their highest in the league this season—Liverpool could only muster a Florian Wirtz first-half goal following a missed penalty by Dominik Szoboszlai. Marcus Edwards equalized with Burnley's lone shot on target in the 65th minute, exposing familiar frailties in game management[2][3][4].

Fans unleashed loud boos and jeers at full-time, a rare Anfield revolt. Slot candidly acknowledged the frustration: "If we, as Liverpool, are not disappointed by a draw at home to Burnley, then something is completely wrong. I completely understand... I have the same frustrations, and the players definitely have the same."[2][3][4] This marks the third time this season Liverpool dropped points from winning positions, and they became the first reigning champions to fail to beat all three promoted sides at home[3].

Now fourth in the table, just one point above Manchester United, Slot's side has unbeaten in 12 but won only sporadically. Stats worse than Hodgson's era highlight attacking stagnation, over-reliance on a small core, creativity droughts, and defensive lapses despite improved possession play[1][2]. Injuries linger, though Gomez and Konaté return soon, but squad depth issues echo last season's pitfalls[1][4].

Media blasts it as a "truly sorry title defence" with "nothing changes," fueling sack talk amid fan discontent[7]. Slot praises individual growth—like Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong—but insists "our standards are winning every game."[4] As Fulham looms, pressure mounts: is this a blip or the end of Slot's honeymoon?[1]

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