Who is to blame for Liverpool's decline?
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Arsenal title race
Arsenal went nine points clear of Manchester City with an incredible cameo from a 16-year-old by the name of Max Dowman, who became the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history.
Liverpool's psychological decline
Once it got to October, November and it was like, 'Oh well, what are we trying to be now? We're like Man United or Aston Villa,' that's the group we're now in. I do think some of those really big players probably struggle a little bit with that from a motivation perspective.
Liverpool's internal management uncertainty
You've got three senior figures—Richard Hughes, Arne Slot, and Michael Edwards—whose contracts are all running out at the same time. If Liverpool are thinking about making a change about Slot, any manager or agent is going to want to know, 'Are these guys who are hiring me, are they sticking for the long term as well?'
Liverpool's defensive struggles
They conceded another late goal. I think it's the eighth late goal that they conceded this season. If you eliminated those goals, Liverpool would be just one point behind Man City.
Trent Alexander-Arnold's departure
Trent Alexander-Arnold was always going to be a bigger miss than people by the end of his time at Liverpool wanted it to be. He was an unbelievable player for Liverpool; he doesn't quite work at Real Madrid in the way that he worked at Liverpool.
Arne Slot's performance
Liverpool regardless of those imbalances on the squad should still be better than fifth or sixth this season. They should still be second or third based on what they've got available to them and they should still be going beyond the round of 16 in the Champions League.
Liverpool's tactical transition
You have an old style that is kind of on its last legs and a newer style that is kind of being phased in and I think the hope was you bring these two styles together and you get a fantastic team and a fantastic blend of experience and youth and it just hasn't worked out that way.
Liverpool's European form
Liverpool's record in Europe and knockout ties in the last six, seven, eight years at Anfield is actually not good. I think they've won one in seven or eight, which is surprising when you actually think about it.
Chelsea's performance
In terms of the amount of money that Chelsea have spent just to go slowly backwards is quite an achievement really.
Premier League Player of the Year
I think it's possible that Bruno Fernandes wins Player of the Year because I think there's a possibility that Rice sort of blows it out of the water. But I think there's also a chance that the vote is split between a few different Arsenal players.
