Liverpool supporters might be alarmed by one statistic that ranks their team as the third-worst in the league this season.

Even the most optimistic Liverpool supporter would struggle to say this season has been anything other than disappointing.

Arne Slot’s side entered the campaign as defending Premier League champions and favourites to retain their crown, yet they’ve suffered five defeats in their first 11 league games and already sit eight points behind leaders Arsenal. Opta’s supercomputer predicts Liverpool — currently in eighth — will still finish a respectable third, but Roy Keane has already ruled them out of the title race.

A worrying statistic exposes Liverpool’s struggles

A new stat from Opta Analyst on X highlights the depth of Liverpool’s problems. Data analysing how long each team spends winning, drawing, or losing in matches shows Liverpool have been behind for 37% of their Premier League minutes so far. They’ve been level for 39% and ahead for only 24%.

Only two clubs (Wolves at 58% and West Ham at 47%) have spent more time trailing — and both are in the relegation zone.

Liverpool’s poor starts have become a recurring theme. When Brentford scored early against them last month, it marked the fourth straight league match in which the Reds conceded within the opening 15 minutes — something that hadn’t happened in nearly three decades.

Last season, Liverpool were known for dramatic comebacks; this season, every league match in which they’ve gone behind has ended in defeat. Their ability to rally simply hasn’t been there, apart from the 5–1 Europa League win over Eintracht Frankfurt.

These numbers suggest a mindset issue. When Liverpool fall behind, they frequently lose belief. Although they’ve found equalisers at times, they’ve failed to turn those moments into results.

The only positive? When Liverpool take the lead, they don’t throw it away. The first goal has never felt more decisive for them.

In difficult moments, this Liverpool team must remember they are the reigning champions and show the resilience that defined them last season. The upper half of the table is still tight — a strong run could change everything.