Liverpool’s coach, Arne Slot, expressed concern over the increasing pressure following the team’s recent struggles, which include an alarming streak of nine losses in the last twelve matches across all competitions. The latest setback came on Wednesday, when Liverpool suffered a 4-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League, marking the third consecutive match in which the team has lost by three goals or more.
In a post-match statement, Slot acknowledged that while he feels secure in his role, the team’s performance inevitably brings heightened scrutiny. “There’s a lot of pressure if you work or play at a top club and even more so if you start losing more games than this club, or these players or this manager, is used to,” he said. He added, “But there was a lot of pressure last season as well for us to win the league, and now it’s a different kind of pressure because we’ve lost so many games.”
Liverpool’s title defense appears to be faltering, with the team currently sitting in 12th place in the Premier League, a significant 11 points behind first-place Arsenal. This drop in form contrasts sharply with Slot’s inaugural season at Anfield, during which he guided the club to a record-equaling 20th league title, finishing ten points ahead of Arsenal.
Despite the considerable investment of approximately $500 million (£377 million) in new talent, including stars like Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, Liverpool has struggled to replicate its previous success. The pressure on Slot is palpable, especially as he succeeded the highly regarded Jürgen Klopp and was expected to maintain the club’s winning trajectory.
Looking ahead, Liverpool faces West Ham this Sunday, a crucial match that could further impact their standing in the title race. “We fight on and we try to improve. That’s what we all try,” Slot remarked, emphasizing the need for resilience. “In the end, it’s about doing what this club is about — keep fighting, and no matter how difficult it is, we have to fight together.”
In terms of squad news, goalkeeper Alisson is back in training after missing the PSV fixture due to illness, and Wirtz is expected to return to training following a muscle issue. Additionally, Slot indicated that the back problem that caused Hugo Ekitike to exit the match against PSV is not anticipated to be a major concern.
As Liverpool prepares for the upcoming challenge, the spotlight remains firmly on their coach and the team’s ability to turn around a disheartening season.
