Former Liverpool player and pundits including Jamie Carragher have shared their views on Arne Slott’s future at Anfield, which is experiencing its worst run in over 70 years.
An inquest has already begun following Liverpool’s yet another disastrous defeat on Wednesday night. In this match, they suffered a 4-1 defeat to Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.
It took less than five minutes for the hosts to suffer their first setback, as Virgil van Dijk was duly penalized for a handball inside the penalty area and Ivan Perisic coolly converted the resulting penalty. Dominik Szoboszlai’s equalizer 10 minutes later gave the Reds a glimmer of hope that they were back on track, but a poor start to the game in the second half meant they conceded three more goals before the full-time whistle.
The Reds have lost nine of their last 12 games in all competitions due to their recent poor performance. Since the end of September, it has been difficult to win.
read more: Ryan Gravenbirch admits emotions in Liverpool dressing room are clearly ‘angry’read more: Steven Gerrard rejects Liverpool’s ‘crisis’ claim, warns against criticism of Arne Slott
Victories against Eintracht Frankfurt, Aston Villa and Real Madrid were largely overshadowed by a crushing away defeat at Manchester City, recent defeats at home to Nottingham Forest and now PSV. Understandably, there has been a lot of commentary on Arne Slott’s future and whether the Dutchman can survive this torrid run of form.
The noise has become deafening with each defeat, but while Mirror Football understands that a decision to part ways with Slott is imminent, many observers agree that it would be very un-Liverpool to sack a title-winning manager. “Liverpool are not a club to sack,” former Reds defender Jamie Carragher told CBS Sports. “They are different from almost all the top clubs in European football, where the manager is king.
“Managers are given time. Liverpool have never sacked a manager who has won the league. I couldn’t believe people were talking about the manager’s job after the weekend[loss to Forest]and now it’s only magnified.”
“I was in your camp, always with the coach. I’m mad at the players.”
Former players Steve McManaman and Steven Gerrard also agreed that it was probably too soon to call up the manager’s top team, especially considering he led the team to the Premier League title just a few months ago. “I think no,” McManaman told TNT Sports.
“I think it’s too early[to fire Slott]. Given what he’s accomplished this year and where he is now, I think he’s going to have a lot of good games.
“I completely understand that question, but given this series of games, it is too early to ask such a question because Liverpool are still competing in the Champions League. They will be eliminated from the Champions League and languish at the bottom of the league.”
Gerrard added: “That’s the world we live in, that’s modern football. I’ve been in that position myself.”
“You understand that if we don’t get a result there will be serious questions and stewards’ inquiries in this territory, particularly at the top end.
“I agree, Macca. Me and you, we lived through it, we suffered. I’ve been on both sides. It will come someday.”
Stephen Warnock is disappointed to see Liverpool’s downfall this season and admits they should not make hasty decisions. Having said that, he also highlighted that the Reds’ performance has been on a downward trajectory since the start of the campaign, even when they were racking up wins.
“I don’t think there should be any surprise reactions. I think it’s a very difficult time for Liverpool for whatever reason, but one thing I can say is that at the beginning of the season, when they were winning, things weren’t right either,” Warnock told BBC Sport.
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy echoed the sentiment that it may be too early to make changes to the dugout, but he warned his team could not afford to make any more mistakes after facing a very testing week against West Ham and Sunderland. “I hope we never have to have that conversation,” Murphy explained on talkSPORT.
“I like Slott, especially after meeting him. I know him a little bit. He’s bright and warm. He’s a very nice person.”
“But it doesn’t matter what he’s done or whether he’s liked or not. It doesn’t matter when he keeps losing games against Liverpool. So he has a very important week ahead of him.”
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