The Athletic FC Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode: Who is to blame for Liverpool's decline?

Date: March 16, 2026

Host: Ayo Akinwolere

Guests: Simon Hughes, Adam Crafton

Episode Overview

This episode takes an incisive look at Liverpool's faltering season, examining the reasons behind their decline just a year after winning the Premier League. Host Ayo Akinwolere leads a panel with Liverpool reporter Simon Hughes and senior football writer Adam Crafton, delving into the club’s tactical, psychological, and structural struggles, questioning whether Arne Slot, the playing squad, or Liverpool’s hierarchy are most to blame. The discussion pivots to wider implications for Champions League qualification, managerial futures, and comparisons with rivals, while also spotlighting Arsenal’s charge for the title and a historic Premier League moment.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Draw with Spurs: An Epitome of Liverpool’s Struggles

Liverpool’s season characterized by late concessions: The 1-1 home draw with Tottenham is underlined as symptomatic, with Liverpool conceding their 8th late goal this season.
Simon Hughes notes: "If you eliminated those goals, Liverpool would be just one point behind Man City." (02:44)
Anfield "fatalism" discussed: Fans began leaving before Spurs’ equalizer, with Hughes observing, "Anfield emptied pretty quickly." (02:44)
Spurs themselves are struggling, compounding the sense of a bad result for Liverpool, as Adam Crafton points out Liverpool’s poor home record versus struggling sides. (04:12)

2. Loss of 'Anfield Aura' and Defensive Solidity

Both Simon and Adam agree Anfield has lost its reputation as a fortress.
- Hughes: "At the moment, Anfield is a place which is more difficult for Liverpool to play... than the opponents." (05:32)
European record raised–just one win in 7 or 8 recent knockout ties at Anfield. (05:32)
Discussion on defensive regression: Van Dijk, Robertson, Salah, even Alisson, "just aren't as good as they were" (Adam Crafton, 07:23).

3. Identity Crisis: 'Fusion and Confusion'

Crafton coins the phrase: Liverpool are stuck in a “fusion and confusion” of old stalwarts and new, less-proven talent. (10:03)
Panelists reflect on the psychological let-down for veterans now scrambling for top four, not the league: "Do they really care if Liverpool finish fifth or third?" (Adam Crafton, 07:23)
Simon Hughes laments a lack of pace, stating, "If there was a bit more pace, Luis Diaz-type pace... They have missed somebody like him." (10:53)
Both panelists agree motivation, wavering structure, and lack of confidence are major issues.

4. Recurring Problems and Structural Questions

Second-half drop-offs are notable; Liverpool start games well but can't maintain tempo or control. (Adam Crafton and Simon Hughes, 11:56–12:25)
Hughes: “Confidence begets performance, doesn’t it? And performance begets confidence.” But he questions if the issue is simply confidence or ability, stating, "I am questioning increasingly whether some of the players are actually the shorter players that Liverpool need to be a good team." (13:34)

5. Arne Slot: Is He Really to Blame?

Discussion pivots to whether Slot is truly at fault, or if Liverpool’s problems are more institutional.
Adam Crafton highlights recruitment shortcomings: spending big on strikers (e.g., Isak), missing urgency on the wing, and not properly replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is described as “irreplaceable” (18:27).
Critique of sporting structure: Simon Hughes notes that sporting director Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards (football CEO), plus Slot, all have contracts ending in the same summer, adding to instability. (22:19)
Crafton: "Liverpool... should still be better than fifth or sixth this season. They should still be second or third..." (21:51)
Hughes calls for clarity at boardroom level, criticizing FSG for allowing such senior uncertainty.

6. Slot's Future and the Xabi Alonso Question

Champions League qualification is vital for Slot’s job security, especially with Galatasaray in the immediate future. (24:36)
Simon Hughes: "He has to put a run together... to inspire trust again in him." (24:36)
Xabi Alonso is touted as an obvious, but not necessarily perfect replacement, given tactical questions and the challenges of implementing a new system. (25:48)
Crafton and Hughes agree that after a title-winning season, Slot deserves some leeway but cannot expect unlimited patience, especially if Champions League is missed. (27:55)
Simon Hughes: "There was absolutely no doubt that starting a Premier League season, a title defence, not even five weeks after one of your players has died in a car crash. I don't know how you managed to even get the team together, to be honest." (28:01)
The need for tactical flexibility from Slot is discussed: "He needs to show that just doing the same thing over and over again in terms of the shape of the team... isn't working." (29:25)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Anfield's Decline:
- Simon Hughes: "At the moment, Anfield is a place which is more difficult for Liverpool to play, I would say, than the opponents." (05:32)
On the 'Fusion and Confusion':
- Adam Crafton: “You have an old style that is kind of on its last legs and a newer style being phased in... and it just hasn't worked out that way.” (07:23)
On Slot's Task:
- Adam Crafton: “It's up to a coach to maximize what is at his disposal. And Liverpool, regardless of those imbalances, should still be better than fifth or sixth this season.” (21:51)
On Leadership Instability:
- Simon Hughes: “…you've got three senior figures whose contracts are all running out at the same time. So where I'm a bit uncomfortable with everything is… what's going on with the people who are making those decisions?” (22:19)
On Arsenal’s Emergence:
- Ayo (on Dalman’s goal): “I was at the stadium, it was pandemonium, elation, exhaustion. Was that the moment that Arsenal potentially let everyone know this is their year?” (36:12)
- Adam Crafton: "I think it is actually one of the most iconic moments in the history of the Premier League. I think it's a moment... in the same way... as Makeda’s goal against Aston Villa... Tony Adams’ goal against Everton..." (38:35)

Key Timestamps

02:02 – Panel introduction and first thoughts on Liverpool’s draw with Spurs
02:44 – Simon Hughes: The deeper issues behind Liverpool’s season
05:32 – The demise of the ‘Anfield fortress’
07:23 – Adam Crafton: Psychological effects and transition issues in the squad
10:03 – “Fusion and confusion” debate (blend of old and new failing)
13:34 – Are some Liverpool players good enough?
17:59 – Is Arne Slot to blame, or the board?
18:27 – Recruitment, replacements, and tactical fit
22:19 – Leadership and long-term vision concerns
24:36 – Slot’s job security and Champions League imperative
25:48 – Xabi Alonso as a possible successor: pros and cons
28:01 – Mitigating factors for Slot (Jota’s death, injuries)
29:25 – Fans’ patience and the power of tactical change
32:30 – Premier League round-up: United, Chelsea, Arsenal
36:12 – Arsenal’s Max Dalman makes history; title charge discussed
38:35 – Dalman’s goal as an iconic football moment

Recap of Other Clubs

Manchester United: Third in the league, with Bruno Fernandes cited by Adam Crafton as possibly the Premier League’s Player of the Year. (32:52)
Chelsea: Slumping form and club instability, mired by a suspended transfer ban and fine. Simon Hughes: "In terms of the amount of money Chelsea have spent just to sort of go slowly backwards is, is quite an achievement really." (34:59)
Arsenal: Go nine points clear at the top; 16-year-old Max Dalman becomes the league’s youngest scorer. The panel lauds Arsenal’s pragmatism and mental shift under Arteta. (36:12–38:39)

Conclusion

The Athletic FC panel rigorously dissects Liverpool’s alarming drop-off, finding blame in tactical inertia, psychological fatigue among old-guard players, recruitment mis-steps, and a board that has allowed uncertainty to fester. While Arne Slot deserves measured criticism, the institution’s structural issues run deep. The conversation pivots to other Champions League hopefuls and closes with reflection on Arsenal’s probable title and a history-making moment for a young Gunner.

For in-depth reporting and feature analysis, visit The Athletic’s website.