Premier League Champions Face Four Consecutive Defeats

In a shocking turn of events, Liverpool has become the fourth team in Premier League history to experience four consecutive defeats while holding the title of reigning champions. This dismal streak was highlighted by a recent 3-2 loss to Brentford at Gtech Community Stadium. This defeat marks Liverpool’s fifth loss in their last six matches in all competitions.

Historic Losing Streak for the Premier League Champions

With these recent results, Liverpool has equaled the number of league losses they endured throughout the entire previous season. Notably, they are the first team to begin a season with five wins, only to follow it up with four straight losses. Throughout the Premier League’s history, no defending champion has lost four matches in a row while trying to maintain their title.

Losing Streaks of Previous Premier League Champions

To put Liverpool’s plight into perspective, here are the other teams that have faced a similar situation:

• Leicester City (2016/17): Following their miraculous title win, Leicester faced significant struggles. The loss of key player N’Golo Kante to Chelsea led to a downturn in form, culminating in a five-game losing streak. Leicester finished the season 12th, marking the worst title defense record.
• Liverpool (2020/21): After a historic title win, Liverpool’s following season was marred by a prolonged winless streak. They suffered heavy defeats, including a home loss that ended a remarkable unbeaten run at Anfield. They finished third, securing a place in the Champions League despite their early season woes.
• Manchester City (2024/25): Under Pep Guardiola, City began their season with strong performances but soon faltered, winning just one of nine matches during a tough winter. Though they rebounded in the latter half of the season, they ended up finishing third.

Liverpool’s Current Situation

This season, fans initially hoped for a successful title defense after a perfect start with five consecutive wins. Despite these victories, Liverpool’s performance has been criticized as they have relied on late goals and set pieces. Their recent run—including defeats against Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Brentford—has raised concerns about the team’s direction.

With their recent losses, Liverpool has now matched their total league defeats for the entire last season and has reached a critical juncture in their campaign. If these streaks continue, history may remember them not just as champions, but as a team that faced unprecedented challenges in defending their title.