How Long Has It Been Since Liverpool Suffered 20 Defeats in a Single Season?

An already turbulent season plunged to new depths last Friday as Liverpool were dismantled by Aston Villa away from home.

A match in which Liverpool had the opportunity to secure Champions League qualification ended in a painful 4–2 loss that arguably still flattered the Reds, heaping further pressure on beleaguered manager Arne Slot as the club's crisis continues to spiral.

To make matters worse for the Dutchman, Liverpool equalled an unwanted record at Villa Park. Their 20th defeat across all competitions marked only the second occasion they have sunk to such a sorry tally in the Premier League era.

Adding to the misery, Liverpool still have one final opportunity to surpass that previous record—which had held for more than three decades—when they take on Brentford in their Premier League curtain-closer this weekend.

The Last Time Liverpool Lost 20 Matches in a Season

You have to go all the way back to 1992–93 to find the last time Liverpool suffered 20 defeats across all competitions in a single season. Graeme Souness was at the helm during what proved to be a disastrous opening Premier League campaign for the club.

The season began in eerily familiar fashion, with a Community Shield defeat foreshadowing the struggles ahead. Liverpool's chaotic 4–3 loss to Leeds United at Wembley served as an early warning of what was to follow.

Liverpool ended up finishing sixth in the Premier League in 1992–93, while also suffering premature exits from both domestic cup competitions. Their European Cup Winners' Cup run also came to an abrupt end in the second round.

Equalling such a wretched record highlights just how dreadful Liverpool's second season under Slot has been, and the situation could still deteriorate further. A 21st defeat of the campaign is a real possibility when Brentford—who have already claimed a victory over the Reds this season—visit on Sunday.

Should Liverpool fall to the Bees, it would mark the first time since the 1953–54 season that they have lost more than 20 games in a single campaign. The Reds were beaten in 24 of their 43 matches that year, long before the advent of organised European competition.

Whether Slot will retain his position after such a turbulent year remains uncertain, though current indications suggest Liverpool's owners Fenway Sports Group intend to keep him in charge heading into the 2026–27 season at minimum—a stance that has left the majority of the fanbase deeply dissatisfied.

Liverpool's Record in 2025–26 vs. 1992–93