Liverpool's Stagnant Start to 2026 Raises Questions About Their Depth and Ambition
By Beth Lindop, ESPN Liverpool Correspondent
Liverpool’s 0-0 draw against Leeds United on Thursday wasn’t just a dull result—it was a glaring spotlight on the team’s current struggles. After a 2025 season that swung wildly between brilliance and chaos, the Premier League champions had hoped for a fresh start in 2026. Instead, Anfield was treated to a performance that felt more like a hangover than a new beginning. But here’s where it gets controversial: is this the beginning of a downward spiral, or just a temporary blip for Arne Slot’s side? And this is the part most people miss: Liverpool’s lack of depth isn’t just a problem—it’s a ticking time bomb that could derail their season.
Last summer, the narrative was all about Slot building a dynasty at Anfield. Fast forward to now, and the Reds find themselves 12 points behind league leaders Arsenal, their once-feared swagger noticeably absent. While the festive period hinted at a recovery—with wins against Inter Milan, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Tottenham Hotspur—Thursday’s stalemate exposed familiar weaknesses. Liverpool looked short on ideas, creativity, and, most worryingly, depth. This wasn’t just any 0-0 draw; it was the first time Slot’s team had failed to score in 84 games, and only the fourth time in the Premier League since the start of last season. But here’s the kicker: three of those shutouts have come in their last nine league matches, painting a grim picture of their attacking woes.
Leeds, who hadn’t kept a clean sheet since late August, deserve credit for their defensive resilience. Yet, Liverpool’s inability to break them down was damning. Hugo Ekitike’s close-range header in the first half was their brightest moment, but after the break, the hosts managed just one shot on target—a long-range effort from Dominik Szoboszlai. Even captain Virgil van Dijk couldn’t convert their best chance, heading wide from a set piece. It’s clear: Liverpool’s attack is misfiring, and their bench isn’t stepping up. The fact that their substitutes have scored just eight league goals this season speaks volumes about the lack of game-changers.
Slot acknowledged the issue post-match, emphasizing the need for individual brilliance to unlock stubborn defenses. “We have the most ball possession, but it means nothing if you can’t create chances,” he said. Yet, with Mohamed Salah away at the Africa Cup of Nations and Alexander Isak sidelined for months, Liverpool’s options are limited. Despite spending nearly £450 million in the summer, the squad feels unbalanced. Cody Gakpo and 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha are the only natural wingers available, and while Ngumoha showed promise against Leeds, he couldn’t single-handedly ignite a struggling attack.
The frustration was palpable, both on the pitch and in the stands. Jeremie Frimpong, who shifted from right wing to right back, summed it up: “It’s really frustrating. We wanted to win, but we didn’t create enough chances.” With tough away fixtures against Fulham and Arsenal looming, Liverpool’s attack needs to spark back to life—and fast.
Controversial Take: Is Liverpool’s summer spending spree to blame for their current imbalance? Or is this simply a transitional phase for Slot’s project? Let’s debate this in the comments. One thing’s for sure: if the Reds don’t address their depth issues soon, their title defense could be over before it truly begins.
