Liverpool’s recent slide in form has sparked debate across football circles, and club legend Robbie Fowler isn’t holding back.
The Reds’ blockbuster summer transfer window, he says, may be part of the problem.
A Humbling Defeat at the Etihad
Liverpool were soundly beaten 3-0 by Manchester City on Sunday, with goals from Erling Haaland, Nico Gonzalez, and Jeremy Doku leaving the reigning champions reeling.
It was the sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches for Jurgen Klopp’s side, highlighting just how far the Reds have fallen from last season’s dominant campaign.
Big Money, Big Questions
During the summer, Liverpool spent over £450 million on new talent, twice smashing British transfer records.
Florian Wirtz joined from Bayer Leverkusen for £116 million, and Newcastle striker Alexander Isak followed for £125 million.
Add to that defenders Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, plus striker Hugo Ekitike and teenage defender Giovanni Leoni, and it’s clear the club didn’t hold back.
Despite this spending spree, Fowler believes many of the signings don’t fit manager Arne Slot’s tactical setup, leaving players struggling to perform under pressure.
Fowler’s Hard-Hitting Verdict
Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football with Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt, Fowler didn’t mince words.
“I think they’re out of the title race,” he said bluntly.
“They’ve played a few games okay, but overall, it’s only 45 minutes here and there where they’ve looked competitive.”
He singled out Frimpong and Kerkez, arguing that while both arrived with high expectations, their previous clubs didn’t prepare them for the intensity of playing at Liverpool.
“When you’re playing for Liverpool or Man United, it’s different,” Fowler added.
“There’s more pressure, more scrutiny, and it shows.”
The Bigger Picture
Currently sitting eighth in the table, Liverpool trail leaders Arsenal by eight points and City by four.
Fowler’s comments echo growing concerns among fans and pundits alike: despite the financial outlay, the team isn’t clicking.
Nicky Butt observed, “It’s a horrible feeling watching City dominate – it was like a statement win, saying ‘we’re back.’”
Scholes added, “Even with Arsenal ahead, experience counts for a lot in a title race, and City have that edge.”
A Summer of High Hopes, But Rising Questions
Liverpool’s summer signings were meant to inject quality and depth into the squad, but the early-season results suggest integration issues.
Whether Slot can find the right balance and reverse the slide remains to be seen, but Fowler’s verdict is clear: the Reds have work to do if they hope to defend their Premier League crown.