Liverpool are the only team in the Premier League with a 100% record this term.
Despite taking maximum points the Reds have been far from convincing though.
Arne Slot’s side needed goals in the 88th and 94th minute against Bournemouth for the win. They then needed a 100th-minute winner to beat Newcastle United and an 83rd minute worldie in the victory against Arsenal. Most recently, Liverpool relied on a 95th minute game-deciding penalty against Burnley.
In this article, we’ll cover:
How sustainable is Liverpool’s current form?
At a glance, this sort of run just doesn’t scream sustainable.
According to rivals, the reigning champions are eking out undeserved wins. They’ve convinced themselves that sooner rather than later, this particular bubble will burst. At some point there will be a reckoning. The Reds will either improve on their performances and build on these results or, if nothing changes, these narrow wins will soon turn into dropped points.
But we’re in 2025, results-based analysis is very, very limited. And we have a host of metrics available to us that can help evaluate what is and isn’t repeatable or sustainable.
While it’s true that Liverpool haven’t been at their best this season, they’re still the top scorers in the Premier League and rank second for open-play goals with seven. Only Manchester City (eight) have more, while Arsenal have just three open-play goals to their name.
Slot’s side are joint-second for shots (60), sixth for Expected Goals (6.97), and have the third-best defensive record with an xG Conceded total of 3.75. A lot of focus has been on the team’s xG this season but it is worth noting here that they’ve faced off against three of the best defensive teams in the league right now.
Arsenal have the lowest xG conceded total (2.24), Newcastle rank second for this metric (3.71), Liverpool are third, and Bournemouth are fourth (3.77). No other team in the English top flight have given up chances with an xG of lower than four.
In a nutshell, Liverpool have been limiting the opposition to next to nothing in terms of threat while creating chances. What about that isn’t sustainable?
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The context behind Liverpool’s start to the season
It was a summer of change at Anfield. The champions drastically revamped their attack, with Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz sold. Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak came in to replace them. The tragic passing of Diogo Jota no doubt altered the plans of Richard Hughes and Slot.
The Reds freshened up the squad elsewhere too, bringing in Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kostas Tsimikas. Harvey Elliott was loaned to Aston Villa on deadline day, with his role in the squad now seemingly being taken by Dominik Szoboszlai. The Hungary skipper had seen £116million signing Florian Wirtz replace him at No.10.
What has been overlooked when assessing Liverpool’s performances so far this term is the fact they’re trying to bed four players into the starting XI. All while adopting a new system, as seen in their passing networks below.
Slot went from using a 4-2-4 system, with the attacking midfielder playing almost as a second striker to deploying his side in a 4-2-3-1, with Wirtz playing behind the centre-forward.
There’s more focus on building in central areas, with Cody Gakpo and Mo Salah quite isolated as a result. This might be a short-term approach to get Wirtz and Ekitike up to speed with things.
Another thing to consider here is the bad luck Liverpool have had with injuries already this season.
On matchday one, Jeremie Frimpong limped off with a hamstring issue and missed games against Newcastle United and Arsenal. With Conor Bradley already injured, Szoboszlai had to be used at full-back.
In midfield, Ryan Gravenberch missed the season opener due to suspension. Alexis Mac Allister started that but then missed the away trip to St James’ Park. He returned to the starting XI for games against Arsenal and Burnley, but was replaced early in both matches. In an ideal world, he wouldn’t have started against the Clarets after his exploits on international duty. But with Slot having to manage the minutes of Frimpong and Bradley, coupled with an injury to Jones, the Dutchman had no other choice but to use the unfit World Cup winner at Turf Moor.
The forward line was a tricky one to manage too. Slot needed to get Wirtz and Ekitike up to speed with the rigours of the Premier League so kept substituting them in the second half. With Isak not signed until deadline day, Liverpool’s options on the bench in attack have been Federico Chiesa and Rio Ngumoha. With the greatest respect, these two are both wildcards. But Slot didn’t have any other options due to how the transfer business was conducted.
Liverpool weren’t ever going to be at their brilliant best from the off in these circumstances.
What the future might look like for the reigning champions
Defensively, Liverpool have looked questionable due to how many times they’re seemingly caught on the break. But they aren’t actually giving up many high value chances.
What makes that more impressive is the fact the Reds have been fairly robust in defence despite the many changes to the starting XI and the system tweak. The attack hasn’t been firing but they’re a unit still figuring things out.
It’s going to click for Wirtz. It’s going to click for Isak. And it’s going to click for Salah. Even if these players do have an off day, the Reds have a squad capable of stepping up in moments that matter. The substitutes have played their part in the perfect start to the season.
Chiesa did it against Bournemouth. Ngumoha won the game for Liverpool against Newcastle. Jones won the free-kick against Arsenal following a positive run and Frimpong won the penalty against Burnley.
Liverpool have the players and the mentality. They’re the reigning champions for a reason.