Pressure Mounts on Liverpool Manager Arne Slot After Defeat
Liverpool manager Arne Slot, facing intense scrutiny following a 4-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven, stated that his discussions with the club's owners have remained consistent since his arrival at Anfield, affirming their commitment to "fight on."
The Dutch manager is under mounting pressure after the Reds recorded their ninth loss in 12 games this season, marking their worst run in 71 years.
When asked about conversations with sporting director Richard Hughes or the ownership group after the recent match, Slot remarked, "We’ve had the same conversations that we’ve had since I got here. We fight on. We try to improve, but the conversations have been the same as they have been for the last one and a half years."
Slot played a pivotal role in securing Liverpool's 20th league title in May and oversaw a significant summer investment of nearly £450 million on new signings, including a British record £125 million for Alexander Isak.
However, the reigning champions currently sit 12th in the Premier League, with six wins and six defeats from 12 matches, and are 13th in the 36-team league phase of the Champions League.
Following the latest setback, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher commented on CBS Sports that while Liverpool is "not a sacking club," there comes a point for any manager when the situation becomes untenable.
"There is a lot of pressure if you work or play at a top club," Slot acknowledged before the upcoming match against West Ham on Sunday, November 30. "And then there is even more when you start losing more games than this club, players, or the manager are used to. But there was pressure last season as well for us to win the league. Now it’s a different kind of pressure because we have lost so many games. In the end, it’s about doing what this club is about. Keep fighting no matter how difficult it is. It would also be nice if we reward ourselves in the moments we play well."
Slot expects to welcome back goalkeeper Alisson from injury and noted that the issue sustained by forward Hugo Ekitike against PSV "shouldn’t be a big issue."
"Alisson trained again on Thursday with the team; we hope and expect he is available at the weekend," he said. "[Florian] Wirtz will have his final day of rehab on Friday, and if all goes well, he can train with the team on Saturday."
Slot's Position Not Under Immediate Threat Amid Concerns Over Salah
Despite Liverpool's challenging run of form, sources have informed BBC Sport that Slot's position is not under imminent threat. He has earned credit for his Premier League title-winning debut season, and there has been acknowledgment at Anfield that the club faced a challenging summer, including the loss of Diogo Jota and a £400 million investment aimed at rejuvenating the squad.
Sporting director Hughes and chief executive Michael Edwards were instrumental in Slot's appointment, and he retains their support. Liverpool is known for making considered decisions, as evidenced by Brendan Rodgers’ tenure, during which he was given more than three seasons despite finishing outside the top four twice.
However, there are growing internal concerns regarding Mohamed Salah's performances, with a noticeable decline in form. As Liverpool's key forward, Salah's best attacking performance in the last 12 games came during a 5-1 victory against Eintracht Frankfurt, a match in which he did not start.
Since signing a new contract in April, Salah has scored seven goals in 25 games; while this would be seen as a solid return for many, the 33-year-old is held to the high standards he has established over his eight years at the club.
Looking ahead to January, Liverpool is reportedly interested in reviving their pursuit of Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi after missing out on a deal at the end of the summer transfer window. Guehi will be available for a free transfer in July but has multiple options both in England and across Europe, and he can begin discussions with clubs outside England in just four weeks.