What has been the fate of former EPL champions who suffered four consecutive defeats like Liverpool?

Apart from the current Liverpool, three other reigning Premier League champions have also experienced four straight losses in the past, and all shared one common outcome: they failed to successfully defend their title.

Liverpool, the current Premier League champions, continued to disappoint by losing 2-3 to Brentford last weekend, marking their fourth consecutive defeat in England's top flight. Coach Arne Slot’s team had previously fallen to Manchester United, Chelsea, and Crystal Palace, leaving them 7 points behind league leaders Arsenal.

Although this slump has shocked “The Kop” fans, Liverpool is not the only champion in Premier League history to face such a crisis in the following season. Before them, Manchester City (2024/25), Liverpool (2020/21), and Leicester City (2016/17) have all endured streaks of four consecutive losses after winning the title.

Manchester City (2024/25)

In the 2024/25 season, Manchester City was the most recent team to encounter a similar situation. Pep Guardiola’s squad suffered consecutive defeats in November and December against Bournemouth, Brighton, Tottenham, and Liverpool.

Moreover, this poor run included six losses in eight games, causing them to drop out of the title race early. Although Man City bounced back with nine wins in the final 12 rounds, they finished third, officially handing the crown back to Liverpool.

Liverpool (2020/21)

Previously, Liverpool faced a similar challenge in the 2020/21 season, right after their first Premier League title. The “Reds” lost four straight matches in February against Brighton, Man City, Leicester, and Everton, during a period when their squad was ravaged by injuries, especially in defense. Klopp and his team’s form plummeted, losing 8 of 12 games. However, with strong fighting spirit, they managed to climb back to finish third and secure a Champions League spot by season’s end.

Leicester City (2016/17)

Another case is Leicester City in the 2016/17 season, a unique story in English football history. After their fairy-tale title win in 2016, Claudio Ranieri’s team quickly declined following the loss of N’Golo Kante and struggled with poor form. The “Foxes” even dismissed Ranieri mid-season to avoid relegation before finishing 12th.

Now, Liverpool in 2025/26 faces a similar challenge. With inconsistent form, a fragile defense, and the pressure of defending their title, Arne Slot’s squad must rediscover the champion’s spirit. History has shown that big clubs can recover from crises, just as Liverpool did four years ago.

But if they don’t halt the free fall soon, Arne Slot’s team risks repeating Manchester City’s fate from last season, with their dream of defending the crown shattered halfway through the campaign.