Michael Carrick, it appears, is at the wheel. And with Liverpool now trailing both Manchester United and Chelsea in the race for the Champions League places, the drop-off that the Reds are experiencing is even clearer.

After losing late on against Bournemouth this weekend, Liverpool offered the chance for the two teams most likely to overtake in the race for the Champions League too much of a carrot. Carrick’s side won at Arsenal, while Liam Rosenior’s good early results at Chelsea continued with a victory over Crystal Palace.

Liverpool simply has to find a way of being more consistent than the teams above it. Right now, though, last season’s champion is struggling to put together a coherent 90 minutes, let alone a strong few weeks.

Key Factors in the Champions League Race

• Liverpool next 5 games compared to Man Utd and Chelsea as Champions League race takes shape
  
  The upcoming fixtures will be crucial for Liverpool as they look to close the gap on their rivals. A strong run could potentially shift the momentum in their favor, but consistency remains the key.

• Alisson ignores direct orders from Arne Slot as Liverpool failure proves costly
  
  Alisson’s decision to ignore instructions during a recent match had significant consequences for Liverpool. His actions highlighted the need for better communication and discipline within the team.

A Season of Decline

It has fallen some way in the last few months. Only in May, Slot and his players were dancing around with the Premier League trophy. Since then, it has long become obvious they won’t be doing so again this time around.

One of Arsenal or Manchester City is going to win the title

although Aston Villa won well at Newcastle and remains in contention — and for Liverpool, that should be a kick in the teeth.

Arsenal is on course to finish on 82 points this season at the current rate. Liverpool beat that total last season even when skiving off the last handful of games.

Manchester City, meanwhile, is only four points behind the Gunners after beating Wolves, and will surely, even with a deficit to overcome, be smelling blood.

Though Liverpool is substantially worse than both teams that could take its crown, it is also true that neither Arsenal nor Manchester City is at the level of some truly exceptional title-winning sides in recent years.

Liverpool came close a number of times under Jurgen Klopp with points totals sometimes high into the 90s not being enough. This time, someone far worse is going to come out on top.

Had Liverpool dropped off only a short amount this season rather than the gulf that has transpired, it would have been there or thereabouts right now.

Had the Reds been within touching distance at this point in the campaign, they would have fancied their chances.

Even had they not dropped seven points from goals conceded in stoppage time this season, they would have had an outside chance.

Evaluating the Competition

Arsenal is a good team, with solid depth and a penchant for set-pieces, but it is not free-flowing or exciting. Mikel Arteta is safety-first and his side lacks some stardust.

Manchester City, at the same time, is overly reliant on Erling Haaland and showed its flaws midweek in a dire defeat to Bodo-Glimt in the Champions League.

That Liverpool is not only unable to compete but is also having to battle to keep pace with the next rung down of teams is a brutal reminder of how far it has fallen.